Olympics Update:Bobsledding is Back

Foe the first time since the St.Moritz Olympics in 1948,when Lake Placid police officer Francis Tyler led Team USA to gold down a natural track,American bobsledders won the four-man event at Whistler,BC on Saturday night.Steve Holcomb drove the winning sled,"The Night Train,"designed by NASCAR veteran Jeff Bodine,through 5gs of gravity-the equivalent of a rocket launch-down the fastest track in history.Holcomb drove impeccably,keeping to the clean lines characteristic of champions of the sport. Holcomb,of Park City,Utah,described the sled as very slick,very dynamic.As he stood on the medal stand with his three team mates,Holcomb blinked back tears.He had nearly retired when his eyesight deteriorated from a corneal disease.A new treatment consisting of a contact lens implant restored his vision to 20/20 and the United States to gold,displacing German great Andre Lange,who had driven his sleds to four gold medals.Lange reacted with good sportsmanship,applauding the American victory and cheerfully posing for pictures with Holcomb at the awards ceremony in Whistler,living up to his gentlemanly reputation.Lange and his team took the silver medal and Canada's Lyndon Rush drove his to the bronze.

Olympics Update:MSNBC Airs Bright Interview

Torah Bright,the Australian snowboarder who won the gold medal in the halfpipe event at Cypress Mountain,B.C.,was interviewed on MSNBC Friday evening.She won her medal on Thursday night.Lester Holt and Chris Jansing hosted Ms.Bright on the Vancouver waterfront.Ms.Bright,23,said she was congratulated by Kevin Rudd,prime minister of Australia,in a phone call Thursday night.Wearing an "Australia" t-shirt,she admitted her country was better known for its deserts and coasts than snow sports.She is engaged to be married,and described her competitors as being friends.Given to flashing her shy smile,the willowy athlete was warmly embraced by American snowboarder Kelly Clark,2002 gold medalist in the halfpipe event,following her clean performance.Holt and Jansing were cordial to the new star of her relatively young sport.
Following his victory in the Super G alpine skiing event,Norwegian Aksel Lund Svindal was interviewed by NBC as well.These interviews followed criticism that NBC was overly focused on U.S. competitors at the games.

Commentary:Aussie Wins Halfpipe Gold

Australia's Torah Bright won the women's halfpipe snowboarding event at Cypress Mountain,B.C.Americans Hannah Teter,2006 gold medalist at Torino,and Kelly Clark,who won gold at Salt Lake City in 2002,garnered the silver and bronze,respectively.The competition was broacast live.Many of the athletes ended up on their backsides as they pushed the limits of their rapidly evolving sport,realizing that only a full effort could lift them to the podium.No one was injured.Those who washed out got up with a smile.It's not a sport where you take yourself too seriously.Of all the competitors,the snowboarders seem to be having the best time.They have a free-wheeling attitude that preserves them from the stresses of big time big money-at least somewhat.It also gives them an entree into the world of marketing to the younger set.
Ms.Bright,the gold medalist,was apparently not interviewed by NBC at all.It must be considered whether NBC's coverage has bordered on chauvinism.One sometimes has the impression that,if you're not an American athlete,you are given short shrift,because that is what NBC thinks is the viewers' attitude,and hence the surest path to big ratings.That may or may not be the case,but it isn't good journalism.

An Olympic Respite

The Winter Olympics will provide a welcome respite for weather beaten citizens.From mudslides to blizzards,this winter has been a burden for many,and deadly for a few.Two weeks of games in Vancouver will help us recover from the meteorological trials that have recently beset us.The spectacle of winter competition will be front and center from February 12-28.About 2500 athletes will participate in seven sports and 86 medal events.
Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined lead the games off on Friday at Whistler,British Columbia.Nordic Combined joins ski jumping with cross-country skiing.Six gold medals will be awarded on Saturday,and another five on Sunday,in a number of disciplines.Figure skating begins on Sunday.Many of the NBC channels will broadcast the games.Surely the diversion will improve the world's wellness and knowledge of aboriginal culture,which Canada is highlighting at the games.

Shop Talk

This week I advertised in Saudi Arabia.To you of the Kingdom,my wishes for God's favor-blessed be His name.The Beijing Olympics are almost over.What will Olympics fans do then?I suppose we will dream of the Vancouver winter games in 2010.At least we won't have to wait four years for the next Olympics like we used to.