Olympic Schedule Favors U.S. Viewers
America has kind of become the big bad wolf of the summer Olympics. In 2004 in Athens the U.S. took home 102 medals outdoing 2nd place China by thirty-nine. Moreover, the Americans, while in Athens, were rumored to have received more luxurious accommodations and treatment than athletes from other countries. While the U.S. seems like the International Olympic Committee’s pet, the I.O.C. has never expressly demonstrated any favor or bias toward America. Until now. The I.O.C. announced Thursday that the two most popular Olympic sports, swimming and gymnastics, events that traditionally take place in the evening, would be moved to the early morning hours for the Beijing games. And I’m sure you’re thinking “this makes no sense, these events should be on at night.” And you’re right. But what you’re forgetting is that they will be on at night– in New York. The I.O.C. chose to schedule the events in the morning so that east coast American viewers will be able to see the swimming and gymnastics in primetime. Meanwhile, the Chinese and the Australians (who get all riled up over swimming) will be forced to get up early in the morning. The move came in response to pressure from the U.S. network NBC, who paid $3.5 billion for exclusive rights to the 5 Olympics between 2000 and 2008 and is, by far, the I.O.C.’s highest-paying partner. U.S. ratings in 2000 and 2004 suffered because of the time difference in Sydney and Athens. While the U.S. teams and of course NBC were very pleased with the arrangement, I think it’s pretty darn low. The U.S., despite how much it pays in broadcast rights, should not be able to dictate when the games take place. It shows a willingness on behalf of the I.O.C. to be bought and a complete lack of honor. The I.O.C. pretty much got down on its knees and sucked NBC’s peacock. Second, the decision shows a profound disrespect for China, who is hosting the games for the first time. Why should the athletes and spectators have to get up early to watch the events when it’s convenient for the Americans? If you’ve ever wondered to yourself why countries around the world hate America, it’s because of little things like this. The Olympics is no place for shrewd marketing deals; it’s a place for fairness and spirit and competition and drug scandals and chicks with bulging muscles.