so even though i’ve been watching the olympics nearly non-stop, overall it’s been a pretty big disappointment. the bbc coverage has been just *terrible*. the brits just don’t seem to understand how to tap into the inherent *drama* of sport. I suppose that’s to be expected from a country which regularly televises billiards and darts, but honestly, the commentary makes it sound like they’re watching paint dry. long gaps and silences between very reserved observations, no human interest background stories on the athletes, and at times you can practically hear them trying to stifle the yawns.

i suppose part of that can be attributed to the fact that british olympians are few and far between, usually noted as an afterthought that the national competitor “placed a respectable 25th”. i can see how it would be hard to generate enthusiasm for an event in which your countryman is unlikely to distiguish themselves from the pack (which, is in and of itself, terribly british, but that’s another post altogether). still, i noticed just how dramatically different commentary styles were when they aired a clip from the local *italian* coverage of the speedskating heats. the italians could barely spit their words out fast enough or loud enough, so palpable was their excitement. they were all completely caught up in the action unfolding in front of their eyes, tumbling over each other with heated exclamation, shouting passionately and practically high-fiving on air. it didn’t matter that i didn’t understand a word they were saying, i was enthralled. i turned to j and said, “now *that’s* sports commentary… why can’t we listen to that??”

Like this post

Unlike