CANADIANS WIN SOMETHING; BRITS ALSO DO QUITE WELL
One of the most interesting aspects of being here in Athens, where so many broadcasters from so many countries are all following the same events, is the way each nation writes its own Olympic story.
Today is a perfect example.
For those of us working for the British media, the Story of the Day is blindingly obvious -- Pinsent Becomes British Olympic Legend.
Matthew Pinsent's emotional outpouring on the medal podium provided the first iconic momemt of the Games for us. It'll be on the front page of every British newspaper tomorrow and will be replayed endlessly on television for years to come.
For the Canadians over at CBC, though, it's a different story. Their headline -- Canadian men's four rowers win silver; 4th gold for Britain's Pinsent
Each headline is, of course, equally valid. We'd celebrate a British silver mdeal above an American, Australian or (chance would be a fine thing) Canadian gold.
Journalists from every country out here are writing their own Olympic history -- and creating their own Olympic legends.
One of the most interesting aspects of being here in Athens, where so many broadcasters from so many countries are all following the same events, is the way each nation writes its own Olympic story.
Today is a perfect example.
For those of us working for the British media, the Story of the Day is blindingly obvious -- Pinsent Becomes British Olympic Legend.
Matthew Pinsent's emotional outpouring on the medal podium provided the first iconic momemt of the Games for us. It'll be on the front page of every British newspaper tomorrow and will be replayed endlessly on television for years to come.
For the Canadians over at CBC, though, it's a different story. Their headline -- Canadian men's four rowers win silver; 4th gold for Britain's Pinsent
Each headline is, of course, equally valid. We'd celebrate a British silver mdeal above an American, Australian or (chance would be a fine thing) Canadian gold.
Journalists from every country out here are writing their own Olympic history -- and creating their own Olympic legends.
posted by Stuart at 18:28
3 Comments:
The pity is that both British and Canadian headlines fail to tell the story which is that it was a truly thrilling race in which both teams dug deep and raced, and raced every inch of the way. This was competition at its best. The colour of medals shouldn't be relevant. But, as a Canadian, I might be biased.
The Olympic TV coverage here in Australia is pretty abysmal. If an event doesn't have a medal-winning Aussie involved it just doesn't get shown. If no home-grown talent is winning and the above-mentioned medal races have already been shown five times then something obscure such as softball or beach volleyball is broadcast - as long as it has some Australians taking part. If there aren't any events with our athletes participating something utterly fascinating such as ping pong, er, table tennis fills up the available airtime. Track and field may as well not exist.
You Poms don't realise how lucky you are to have the BBC.
I wonder what the American Media had to say about that wonderful race. Likely nothing about either Pinsent and his crew or the Canadians. I bet that it did not make the headlines.
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