A view form the chair

My Olympic marathon is over. It’s time to review NBC’s coverage of the 21st Olympic Winter Games. I think the overall story of these games was the unbridled patriotism of the Canadian people. There was a lot of “O, Canada” to go a round as they set the record of the most Gold Medals at a Winter Olympics with 14 Olympic champions. The most remarkable show of patriotism was at the men’s curling final, when in the last end or innings of the match the crowd just erupted in “O, Canada”. Great scenes.

I’ve got an idea of how NBC can give us diehard sports fans live coverage and not taped delayed. They should stream, live coverage on their website for those of us who want, for example, more than 5 out of 50 competitors in downhill. Then they can do the highlights in Primetime. I think this is the way to go in London in 2012 and Sochi, Russia in 2014.

In my last report I talked about Al Michaels. I have to say, he has improved in the second week as daytime host. He was at his best when he hosted five men’s Hockey games and also the closing ceremonies with Bob Costas. I hope Al comes back for London to get another shot at hosting.

I continue to be imprested by Jimmy Roberts; he is the best writer and essayer in the business. He knows how to use words to describe any moment. He was also very good in hosting “Meet the Olympic Press” on Universal Sports TV.

I have often said on this blog that Al Trautwig is the best scene setter in the business. Again he proved me right in calling the Nordic events at these games. I can’t say the same thing about his partner Chad Salmela. Chad just yelled too much for my taste.

My dislike for Todd Harris continues. In the men’s ski cross event he used the initials B.C. to say they were from British Columbia. I did not hear any other announcer on the NBC talent roster use B.C. they all said British Columbia. When any announcer uses initials it sounds very bad and improper.

I was very impressed with two new announcers at these games. As I said last time Johnny Moseley was very good. He did a great job of explaining his sports. The other rookie of the year was Andrew Catalon on Curling. He did a great job setting the scene at a very raucous venue. He will be back for sure and at 30 years old is the future of NBC sports.

I have to give credit to Ted Robinson for a great job calling the most unpredictable sport of Short Track Speed Skating. Andy Gabel was great in explaining his sport and all of the disqualifications.

Let me review some of the storylines I outlined in my Olympic preview. Lindsey Vonn won two medals in Vancouver. She won the Downhill and a Bronze in the Super-G. The Downhill was the one she wanted more than any other and got it.

Shaun White defends his title in Snowboarding Half-Pipe. This was one of the standout performers of the games. Shaun won the event after the first run of two and didn’t have to take his second run but did and pulled off the greatest run I have ever seen. I think the kid has the heart of a champion. Just an awesome Olympic moment, I think.

Shani Davis Won Gold in the 1,000 Meters and Sliver in the 1,500 Meters Long Track Speed Skating. Good way to go out Shani. The most bizarre moment of these games was when 5,000 Meter Champion Sven Kramer of the Netherlands was disqualified in the 10,000 Meters for not crossing lanes. His coach told him to go in the inner lane and he was supposed to cross to the outer. I have never seen any thing like this on the Olympic level. What a bad Olympic moment. If you know any thing about the Netherlands this is their nation sport.

The most inspirational moment of the games in Figure Skating was Joannie Rochette of Canada whose mother died just two days before she was to skate. She did skate and won a bronze medal. What a brave young women. This is the kind of story and person that Canada will name schools after. You get these stories at every Olympics but I don’t remember one like this.

The US Nordic Combined team ended their loosing streak in a big way with 6 medals over 3 events. Bill Demong won the Gold medal in the large Hill competition. Johnny Spillane won 2 Silver Medals and in the team relay they also won the Silver. Awesome job guys.

Steve Holcomb broke the 62-year drought of the US in Four-Man Bobsled with the Gold medal. The night train was on fire. All the sliding (Luge, Bobsled and Skeleton) sports made me nervous this year. The Whistler track was the fastest in the world and it showed.

The Olympics are done for 2010. Next stop for the Olympics is London in 2012. Hope to be in London. The next stop on the sports calendar is March Madness and also the start of the baseball season.

Talk to you all again soon.

Jamie Lazaroff