Olympians, a little politeness, please
Sunday wasn’t the finest hour for the United States Olympic Committee in terms of media availability.
In a matter of hours, the following happened:
• World champion gymnast Jordyn Wieber didn’t qualify for the all-around competition most thought she would take gold in, hurried by the mixed zone in tears and never returned to answer questions. She released a statement congratulating her teammates (Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman) who did qualify, but for such an accomplished athlete in the sport not to eventually return and face the media at an Olympics is hardly good form.
• Shelley Olds finished seventh in road racing for the U.S., the best result for an American woman in 20 years. But she was headed toward a medal when her bike blew a tire with 50 kilometers remaining. She then rushed past the mixed zone and waited more than an hour to talk about the race.
• Shortly after the French men avenged a loss to the U.S. in Beijing in the 4X100 relay, easily the most dramatic finish of these Games thus far, about 100 reporters were told American swimmers Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte would appear at a post-race press conference at 10:45 p.m. That was at 9:15. At 11, an official stepped to the microphone with this message: “Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte will not be coming.”
• The U.S. men’s basketball team spanked France 98-71. Immediately after, NBA players from France (Tony Parker, Boris Diaw and Ronny Turiaf) stopped at the mixed zone and answered questions for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, the American NBA stars walked past the area and didn’t appear for 40 minutes and some for even longer.
