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[Grog]

I've yet to see NBC show a medal ceremony with a non-US gold medalist, and when that rare occasion occurs, the camera's usually onthe Silver or Bronze medalist, assuming they're American, so it's kind of hard for me to say that the non-US athletes aren't singing their national anthems.

I noticed this during the 2000 games. I think it's a shame and disrespectful on the part of the networks. I want to see all the medal winners get the respect they deserve. These are the olympics, not the USA games.

 

[Galahad]

I've yet to see NBC show a medal ceremony with a non-US gold medalist

Last night they showed one in its entirety where the gold medalist was from Japan. Their focus was on her for most of the time and not on the American that won on of the other medals. I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Originally posted by kirstyfly
That goes to show that the televison stations are being patrotic to USA.

Actually, I think it goes to show that network executives think that Americans don't care about anything outside of the US.

Ethnocentricity, I believe its called.

 

[ToriLammy]

Bob

You may be right but I also think it has a lot to do with money. The sponsors that NBC sells commercials to have influence on what is seen and what is not. The other thing I think that has some influence is that fact that the US sends a very big team, we have competitors in just about every event. In order to show all those competitors you have snippets of events instead of them showing the entire event. NBC has apparently decided that showing the US competitors is more important to them as a network.

I find it interesting that everyone jumped on the poster who said it may be because the US is more patriotic and she is listed as being from New Zealand. Not sure how many took the time to notice that but sure seemed like some of the posters jumped on her for being an arrogant American.

I've seen a few medal ceremonies so I can't comment on the singing. I did like that fact that US swim team took off the laurel leaves and placed them over the hearts - as a military retiree I thought that was very respectful (even if the leaves were not a hat).

 

[Penny12]

Hi ToriLammy

No, I didn't notice that the poster was from NZ so I thanks for pointing it out what I'd overlooked I don't however feel that it changes what I said in my post in any way - though I will admit that I'd not be able to sing the NZ national anthem so my point surely lost a little of it's impact as a result

 

[danacara]

Originally posted by Viking
Thomas Mann, winner of the Nobel-prize for literature, once said: 'A certain grade of simple-mindedness is required to be patriotic.'

Patriotism is one's love for her/his country, and I don't have a problem with that. The problem starts when it becomes nationalism, which is contempt for other countries. Unfortunately in the last years I observed a move towards the latter - especially in the USA

I am rather amused to be lectured to about the danger of nationalism by a German.

Ha.

In any case, wish more of them had picked up the Phelps lesson and removed the olive wreath and put it over their heart for the anthem. That's really moving to see.

 

[Planogirl]

snoopy, ITA. I would much rather see more of other cultures and places because to me that's a big part of what makes the Olympics so interesting.

I've also seen little of the host country which I find odd. It seems like the network usually shows bits and pieces of scenery and culture during the games and I've seen little of that this time. Maybe I've just missed it somehow.

 

[Laura]

Originally posted by danacara
I am rather amused to be lectured to about the danger of nationalism by a German.

Ha.

What arrogance. One would think that someone in Germany, knowing their country's history, knows the dangers of nationalism more than people in most countries. I totally agreed with Viking's statement.

Anyway, to add my two cents to the OP, I've noticed a lot of US gold medalists obviously can't sing the national anthem, and not just at these Olympics. It's not the easiest melody to sing, is it?

And I know in England the tradition is to stand silently when the national anthem is played, not necessarily to sing it. I was in London on the day of Princess Diana's funeral (it was a total coincidence; I had my trip planned for months and left the day after she died). I went to Hyde Park and watched the TV broadcast of the funeral in Westminster Abbey with thousands of people. When they played "God Save the Queen" everyone stood up, just like everyone in the abbey on TV. It was chilling. I'll never forget it.

 

[Kirby]

It's possible, depending on the locale, that when the national anthem is played, it's bouncing off of the walls. During the medal ceremony for the men's 100 meter, it looked like our gold medal winner was fumbling the words but in reality, the music was echoing. I know that I was hearing a double version because it was in a stadium.

I saw the women's softball team and was glad to see some of the player's opening their mouths and whole heartedly singing. Most of our atheletes listen at first, then just sort of mumble the words, barely moving their mouths. Of course, those that do may be trying to control their emotions.

I liked seeing the olive wreath removed and placed over their heart also. During the women's long distance ceremony where we placed third, our athelete, took her wreath off and the gold medal winner from Japan? was singing her national anthem.

 

[nkjzmom]

Good point on the echoing Kirby. That would make it incredibly hard to sing along.

I am guilty of saying to DH, "If I was going to the Olympics, I'd make sure I knew the anthem inside and out and I would belt it out." But maybe I would be too emotional and trying to hold back my tears....who knows.

I get the feeling that some athletes are there just for the sport....others are truly there for their country. Does that make sense? Sorry, Carly Patterson fans, but she doesn't strike me as winning one for the USA.

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by Planogirl


I've also seen little of the host country which I find odd. It seems like the network usually shows bits and pieces of scenery and culture during the games and I've seen little of that this time. Maybe I've just missed it somehow.

The Networks can't seem to win on that, they've done that in the past and folks have complained because they tuned in to watch the competitions and not lessons on the host country. NBC has been letting the Today Show staff handle most of the touring of Greece, seeing the scenery and culture. Obviously those who have to work during the day don't get to see that but they are doing those kinds of stories, just not during the Prime Time viewing hours.

 

[Deb in IA]

Originally posted by kirstyfly
Well the reason i think is that not as many countries are as patrotic as the USA.

I don't think this is a particularly awful statement, so why the , Mhopkins?


Most of us "Americans" are here by our (or our ancestors') CHOOSING. All of us, except those directly descended from Native Americans, immigrated here.

People from other coutries, are, for the most part, of that nationality by birth.