Apparently the Channel Nine coverage of the Olympics back home has led to some complaints. As an Aussie currently surrounded by Olympic spirit in London, I have a few gripes of my own.
The British coverage of the Olympics has been okay, but suffers from a serious information deficit about any competitor that isn’t from Team GB.
While Ian Thorpe, in the hot seat for the swimming coverage on the BBC, is clearly making an effort to inform viewers about the quality swimmers from China, America, France, and to a lesser degree Australia and South Africa.
The other commentators are more than content discussing GB’s hope for the race (in lane eight of the semi) and let the four red hot swimmers go nameless and faceless to the audience.
After the race things get even stranger.
Instead of doing the reasonable thing and talking to or about the winner of the race, they instead choose to interview the British star (who came seventh). Inevitably the interview starts something like this:
“I know you must be disappointed with that swim, but…”
Then the two talking heads in the box dissect exactly what when wrong for their British champion (not mentioning what went right for the other swimmers) for a further five minutes.
The number of puff pieces on athletes with only the slimmest hope of making the final has been ridiculous. And this is not limited to the BBC’s television coverage.
The Sunday Telegraph’s second page coverage of the Men’s Road Race from Saturday was rather limited in it’s scope.
There were two pages dedicated to the race (see Sports section for the rest) but the entire first page and a majority of the copy was dedicated to the disappointment of the British team and the crowd in the failure of the GB team to secure a bunch sprint for their man Mark Cavendish.
When the Telegraph finally got to the medals I was already on the second page.
Before they mentioned them, though, they had already interviewed Carl Wheatley, a 45 year-old company director and his wife Helen, Richard Hibbins, 44, a finance director from Woking, as well as included tweets from Mark Cavendish’s girlfriend and David Millar’s sister.
What did these people have to do with the race? The short answer is nothing.
Turns out that someone had won the race after all, though, and it was Alexander Vinoukourov from Kazakhstan. So what did the Telegraph say about him and his amazing victory?
They could have gone with the “pain and exuberation on his face as he crossed the line, realising his dream he fell only one place short of in Sydney 12 years earlier” angle, but instead they went with this:
“There was virtual silence as Alexandr Vinokourov sprinted across the finish line in first place with Cavendish nowhere to be seen. The silence turned to boos. Vinokourov had been banned for a year in 2007 for doping offences, and then retired before returning to competition in 2009.”
I’m usually not one to contradict them, but I was standing on The Mall just past the 1km-to-go banner, and have two videos of the crowd yelling, screaming, and generally going nuts as the riders, including Vinokourov and Rigoberto Uran, flew past us.
For the benefit of those who read the Telegraph and didn’t bother going to the Sports section, Uran got Silver, and the mysterious “Norwegian” who apparently got bronze was Alexander Kristoff.
I have read on various websites and social media that the coverage at home on Channel 9 is not all that spectacular.
Rest assured, being in the home country does not guarantee quality from the broadcasters or the media.
I can understand the parochialism of the British press in their home Olympics, but surely there is enough space in the Sunday paper to publish who came first, second and third, and maybe even a bit of background on the gold medalist, apart from just telling us he was a drug cheat.
Also, perhaps there is not enough space to publish interviews with Box Hill locals about how they were so sad for Cavendish because he seems like a nice chap.
The atmosphere around the town is electric and very international. It is a city that is buzzing even more than it usually does, which is saying something.
But being an Aussie in London can be frustrating when the media don’t bother celebrating the success of everyone, only the failure of GB.
Rory Hamilton
Guest
I'm not sure that anyone here is criticising the BBC for focusing on GBs own athletes and their performances during the games—of course this is only to be expected. I think the above comments have more to do with the fact that many people around the world have great respect for the BBC and its even-handed approach to providing news and information. We are all quite jealous of GB having the BBC, I think, but we are consoled by the fact that we can share in the BBC through paid services, free-to-air documentaries, repeats of The Goodies and Monty Python, BBC radio, and so on. Surely then, you can understand that it is cause for great concern for everyone on the planet when the BBC starts mimicking the kind of 'coverage' provided by media companies like Channel Nine in Australia? Crikey (as some people say in Australia when expressing strong surprise)!! I cannot believe that this is the kind of sporting coverage that most people in GB would prefer? Good sporting commentary is educational and helps viewers understand more about the athletes, the sport and the competition. I think it should also communicate good ethics concerning the value of sporting competition, the importance of having respect for other competitors, the benefits of playing sport in a good spirit, etc. This is the kind of commentary I grew up listening to on the radio listening to the cricket as a boy in the '70s. Sadly, this kind of commentary looks in danger of disappearing. If it disappears from the BBC, then I (for one) will feel quite depressed. Especially if this kind of approach becomes popular on radio, too. Then we will know the barbarians are inside the walls of the city. Personally, I'm glad GB has done so well in the games, and I'm particularly heartened to see GB getting some real mojo happening again. I sincerely hope that this translates into some great outcomes for UK society into the future, and feel quite certain that it will. I think we are seeing the emergence of a genuinely new, post-colonial identity for GB/UK, finally freed from the burdens of its war debt and its former view of itself and the world, one that can be traced right back to the era of Victoria and Empire. So, go for it! Transform yourselves! Dazzle us! But please don't let the BBC become like Channel Nine? I promise you that you will regret it if you do.
john whelan
Guest
I may have missed something but , channel 9 in Oz are guilty of all of the above , James Brayshaw is an ignorant fool , in the rowing if there is no Aussie in the event he talks about anything but rowing . If the Aussies are doing well you can imagine favourite phrase is ''our boys'' or ''our girls'' , this is a man who is supposed to have a bit of intelligence , clearly out of his depth.
Richard
Guest
I have got an idea! Don't watch the coverage on the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) - The clue is in the title. Of course there is going to be an element of bias - If you don't understand this you must be a plank! Any national broadcastorwill focus on their own respective athletes The BBC is just looking after its core audience - i.e. Licence fee payers in the UK! There must be a few broad minded aussies out there who can understand this, surely!
Paul Gilroy
Guest
The Roar writer clearly was not in Sydney during the Beijing Olympics! The majority of Australians are fair minded and gracious in defeat and are let down by a minority of those whose only aim is to bash a Pom. Fair do's mate, our athletes have worked for this, they and John Major have earned their w/e in the limelight. I just hope our media can pinch Ian Thorpe!
Jules
Guest
In terms of the red button and online streaming the BBC has produced something pretty awesome. Sure there is a slight delay but in terms of the depth of coverage it's pretty bloody good, the bandwidth and technical infrastructure alone is pretty impressive. In terms of the commentary and it having a stronger focus towards team GB what do you expect living in the UK? Keep it upbeat Oz, don't sound like a whinging Brit.
VHeerdi
Guest
Hosting the Olympics does not make it an official BRITISH spectacle! It is merely providing facilities and services to an INTERNATIONAL event! I'd had quite enough of british patriotism after the opening ceremony alone.
Andyroo
Guest
I am in Korea and I did see a badminton match that didn't feature a Korean. That has been it so far but at least it is all live. I remember channel 7 showing replays of Aussie gold perfomances and interviews rather than live sport.
Bondy
Guest
Albo. Never forget us who live off Baked Beans. Lol
AndyMack
Guest
Rubbish. Listen to Bruce MacAveny commentate on the Athletics. He knows about athletes from other countries and is interested in what is going on, and makes it interesting for all. He does not bang on about Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe during the heats of the long jump.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Classic. I'd like to see a Roar article on the perfect couch/food/drink/necessities setup. Funny stuff :)
lolly
Guest
You can also watch a lot of non-Brit events online. The BBC's online coverage is fantastic.
Albo
Guest
Because I am a rich bastard, I have Foxtel and 8 channels to chose from rather than the CH 9 ads interspersed with the odd cut to an event with a young Aussie battler from Upper Cumbucta West doing Australia proud ! But it still takes a great deal of frantic focus and organisation for an avid sports fan even with Foxtel ! As many events accross many sports are taking place simultaneously, you need to make some crucial decisions about which channel(s) to watch, which event(s) ito IQ record, and which multiple events you can afford to flick between.....and the timing is crucial. But for me with years of couch experience and still on my first remote control unit, I have pretty much nailed it. Planning is the key, drink lots of water and a potty chair should not be sneezed at !
Let the One King Rule
Guest
I watched 4 games covered on Australian TV, and I don't see how an Australian could seriously complain about the BBC coverage. That's what we've been getting from the likes of Nine and Fox for years. Obsessive focus on Australian atheletes with minimal nods given to anything else.
JH
Guest
I actually think channel 9 are doing a great job with the exception of showing the same sport on 9 and gem. Surely they can show 2 different sports as they have two channels? At least 9 aren't doing what 7 did and doing nothing but Australians. They let you know of every Australian result but once they've told you, they move on to the next thing. I saw Georgia win in the Judo and Kazakhstan in the Weightlifting. Wouldn't of even heard about it had 7 been convering the games.
Australian Rules
Guest
Every nations broadcaster focuses on their own to some extent...but you'd like to think the 'globally' vaunted BBC would be more global in their coverage. The Americans put the rest of us to shame. At least we can find some solace in the knowledge that the Brits are more disappointed in their performances than we are of ours.
Rough Conduct
Guest
Reminds me of the kiwis, I was in New Zealand last year and could not believe the way they covered news, if a kiwi was not involved then it might has well not have happened at all. A report was given on Adam Scott hitting a hole-in-one,"after perefect club selection from his kiwi caddy!" Cross to an update of the V8s at Hamilton "Van Gisbergen is currently 7th!" The Poms would have to be doing something really special to beat the kiwis at parochial coverage.
Aljay
Guest
I've been reading alot of Amercian coverage online and its the same there. I've got no doubt it's the same in every country.
k77sujith
Guest
I live in Australia and since I cant afford Foxtel, I have to rely on Channel 09 & Gem. It's been good but as expected, there's an added emphasis on the Australian athletes. Well, Channel 09 cant keep everyone happy since every individual would have his/her own preference in regards to which sport they would like to watch. But, not complaints, I'm just glad I get to watch the Olympics! This write-up reminds me of Channel 7's tennis commentary team comprising of Newcombe and Todd who are heavily and insanely biased towards the Australian tennis players. Even if the match being covered doesnt feature an Aussie, these guys make it a point to always make a comparison with an Aussie. While they are knowledgeable about the sport, they need to change their approach. Thanks.
Colin N
Guest
"All I keep hearing are cheers for the Team GB players and booing for any other competitors from other countries." What boos?
Colin N
Guest
"In regards to the read button, most of the events are not live there is a great amount of delay in updating the event information and even some things advertised are not even available." Every event is available live. "this is not the quality of service I expect for my TV Licence!" If you are that unhappy get rid of your TV and do something else. It's a very simple solution.