I watched some Olympic speed skating last night. It's been a rare thing so far to see some events during these Olympics. It's been a busy time for me and I have not seen much TV. Normally, that's a good thing considering the garbage called entertainment on the tellee these days.
After the speed skating event last night, the "on the ice" reporter interviewed a skater who took a disappointing bronze metal. Apparently, there is some ill will among this person and his fellow American skater. The reported stirred this up by asking how it felt to finish behind the other guy, who took silver. The response was dipolmatic and cordial and make through clearly gritting teeth.
During the interview with the silver medalist, there was only minimal reference to being teammates and skating for country. Later, during the now ubiquitous press conference, both skaters spoke and more controversy ensued.
I see this as media manipulation to create stories. We give the media power and they distort the truth. We buy into it and support it as consumers of the advertisers who spend billions.
I have not seen the Team USA spirit from past Olympics. I am sure there are examples. Let me know if you catch one.
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