Who’s Been Watching the Olympics This Year?

To be honest, I haven’t been that interested in the Olympics this year.

Sure, there are good things to say about the performance of USA athletes. Michael Phelps extended his record medal count. Simone Biles emerged as the leader Ladies’ gymnast.

Side note: Jamica’s Usain Bolt is still the world’s fasted man.

I have watched the two-week festivities in some fashion for at least the past 16 years, but this year is different. Why is that? There are two reasons.

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The Host Country

First, I would say it was the controversy surround Brazil. The nation is dealing with the Zika virus. Just weeks before the Olympics were to start, there were concerns about bacteria levels off the coast. And body parts were found in coastal areas.

Brazil was also the host of the World Cup two years ago. It really shined a line on the inequalities in that nation. Most of the poorer families were being kicked out of their homes to host those games. Also, it alerted people to the issues of White Elephants and FIFA’s corruption.

By all means, these games shouldn’t have been hosted in Brazil, but we know how this works ($$$).

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The Olympic Coverage … in America!

Secondly, I have to say that NBC’s coverage of the Olympics is pathetic. The United States is the only country that doesn’t get to see this event live. Even though NBC pushed to have some events moved around, they still refuse to show this thing live! It’s frustrating.

So basically, we have to try to avoid being spoiled while waiting to see certain events. Yet the rest of the world gets to enjoy everything in real time. In Canada, they have multiple stations working together so that viewers have a chance to see all of the events.

What makes this worse is what NBC shows online. The video clips they upload are short and they take away from all the greatness of certain moments.

It’s no wonder NBC’s coverage has low ratings. They have to know that the viewers are pretty disgusted with this.

Unfortunately, NBC is pretty stubborn about it all. They have exclusive rights to the Olympics. And they insist on putting my favorite announcer there, too.

Really, NBC?

Well, that’s all I have for this Write Anything Wednesday.

Are you enjoying these Olympic Games? Do you get to see them live? If so, lucky you.