For the last couple of weeks, I've been enjoying watching the
Atlanta Olympic Games on television. I appreciate watching the
variety of sports that I never normally get to see. It seems all
sexes, shapes, sizes, and ethnic backgrounds are represented.
In addition to the competitions themselves, a unique drama unfolds
as the dreams of various individuals and teams collide head-on.
I've been particularly curious about how the athletes and media
of different nations respond to similar events.
For example, the Chinese cry often. In the woman's softball gold
medal match, the Chinese lost to the dominant US team. They responded
by crying tears of pain. In a semi-final match the Chinese women's
volleyball team upset the Russian team. There, the Chinese responded
with tears of joy. Other nations are just as emotional but they
tend to be less free with the tears.
The Americans cheer a lot. About anything. A US team can be behind
six to three but they'll say, "All Right! We got three points!"
Also, the Americans seem to have a very strong "In your face"
attitude, particularly in team sports. Other nations may also
take pride in winning but the Americans seem to take particular
joy in beating someone else. I wonder if this has something to
do with why Americans constantly seem to perform above their ability
under pressure situations.
In terms of media, I noticed a sharp difference between the Canadian
and American television coverage. Naturally, both nations tend
to focus more on the achievements of their own athletes. However,
there is a marked difference in the role the sportscasters take
on.
The Canadian sportscasters take a highly journalistic approach.
They're curious about how and why someone wins or loses. They
think nothing of replaying a humiliating defeat suffered by a
world champion and asking them to comment on it. I don't think
they're being cruel, they just like explanations. In one instance,
a Canadian boxer, David Defiagbon, advanced to a medal round after
being hit below the belt. Instead of being supportive, the Canadian
media investigated how Defiagbon's protection cup had been affected
by his opponent's blow and how that might have hurt his groin.
The camera even showed a close-up of the boxer's crotch.
In contrast, the American sportscasters act as if they were members
of the Olympic team. They take an extreme bias in favor of their
own athletes. Interviews are used not necessarily to find out
information but to promote the athletes and turn them into stars.
Definitely, the triumphs are focused on and the defeats and improprieties
are brushed aside (unless of course they are the defeats and improprieties
of the other nations).
Neither nation's approach is necessarily superior. While the American
media support their athletes a lot more, the Canadian media do
a better job of providing a balanced, newsworthy report.
I'm an entertainment writer, not a social theorist. I leave it
to you to decide what conclusions you can draw about different
cultures of the world by watching their athletes and media in
Olympic competitions. The point I'm making is that it is possible
to draw valid conclusions. The Olympics and the surrounding media
coverage provide a microcosmic model which may help us to understand
our increasingly interdependent world. After all these years,
I finally understand Marshall McLuhan's prophecy, "The medium
is the message."
As always, remember to stay happy and don't take no crap!
Yours truly,
Happy.
