Olympics observations

I understand that NBC is somewhat beholden to the schedule of events in Beijing, but after a week and a half of Olympics on our household’s schedule, it would seem as if the only events taking place in China are swimming, gymnastics, women’s beach volleyball, and boxing. Why? Because except for over the weekend, our only time to watch is during evening hours, and the network is covering the same set of events nearly every night. Yes, they’ve successfully built up the drama of Michael Phelps’ medal chase, and Shawn & Nastia vs. the Chinese Children, but it’s come at the expense of many other sports and other worth athletes getting their shot at primetime.

Sure, I’ve gotten to see Michael Phelps win all eight of his medals (it seems like even more, given all the replays), but, really, swimming isn’t THAT interesting.

Women’s volleyball has earned my respect, however. Looking way past the clothing questions (why is it that men can compete in t-shirts and shorts but women need bikinis?), it really is a fast and difficult sport. (For the most in-your-face example of why bikinis and beach volleyball are a match made in guy heaven, see the Cracking the Code photo gallery at NBC.com. No ifs, ands, or butts about it!)

Most impressive events that I’ve seen – badminton, women’s trampoline, steeplechase in the pouring rain, team handball.

What I have yet to catch a glimpse of – the Cuban baseball team, U.S. men’s basketball, table tennis, archery.

What I don’t need to see more of – cycling marathon, marathon running, boxing… oh, and swimming.

An equity question: The NBC anchors so blatantly love U.S. gymnast Shawn Johnson, at the expense of Nastia Liukin, that it borders on rudeness and vaguely nationalistic. (The live commentators/analysts are better – they call the action as they see it.) A few nights ago, when both women were being interviewed by Bob Costas after the all-around finals, he did everything but elbow Liukin out of the way to lob flattering questions to Johnson – even though Liukin had won more and higher medals. And the camera operators are just as bad, doing frequent, adoring close-ups of All-American-pixie Johnson with her button nose and freckles.

By contrast, Liukin is so focused and steely – so stereotypically Russian – most of the time that she’s not instantly loveable. She also is a victim of bad political timing, now that the Putin Party is starting a new Cold War in Europe. Despite her own electric (though fleeting) smile and the fact that she’s won more big medals than her teammate, Nastia isn’t Apple Pie American enough to grab the spotlight away from Sweetheart Shawn.

You can already write the next chapter for both women – Liukin will follow in mom and dad’s footsteps, fading into obscurity (outside the elite gymnastics world) to become a coach to future athletes, while Johnson will get the product endorsements, the “Tonight Show” appearance, the profile on “Nightline,” the Gym Stars world tour…

Meanwhile, Michael Phelps’ face, geeky ears and all, already adorns ads for Omega watches, Visa, Speedo, and soon, Pizza Hut (huh?). I do like the fact that he’s endorsing Frosted Flakes instead of Wheaties. There’s, um, nothing like a hefty dose of sugar to help you fly through the water, I guess.

So, does that leave room for Misty May on the Wheaties box? Probably not in a bikini…