WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2004
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
3B
Olympics provide rare time of peaceful competition
e for released he the layers for arbi- United Press
It may be hard to believe, but there actually exists a forum where more than 200 nations are represented in one place at one time. It is a place where competition is not about fierce bombs or which country can afford better weapons, and it can bring thousands of people together not in army fatigues, but in sweat suits adorned with national emblems.
This special time only happens every couple of years, and it's happening right now. The Olympic games in Athens, Greece, are something that nobody should make an excuse to not watch.
At no other time can competition in a non-violent and completely equal setting take place among all these countries. That is incredibly special, particularly in a world where we are too
SPORTS COMMENTARY
JENNIFER SHER
jsher@kansan.com
often captured by violence and hate.
Every two years, when the summer or winter Olympic games take place, we get to savor sportsmanship and achievement at its greatest. Colorado junior Lindsay Barnett watches the Olympics for some of the same reasons.
"It is the only time we can watch countries around the world be unified and also, of course, see incredible athletic talent," Barnett said.
Others must share Barnett's sentiments. According to the Nielsen ratings, viewing for the 2004 Olympics has been higher than the 2000 summer games in Sydney, Australia. The opening ceremony captured the attention of more than 25 million households — a number exceeded this past Sunday when nearly 26 million tuned in to watch the much anticipated swimming events. The audience segment watching the Olympics most, according to the Nielsen, is the 18-to-49-year-old group.
Despite these numbers, it seems that interest among younger crowds is not what it should be. Chris Nodgard, Wichita junior, attributes this to the lack of understanding and appreciation of the multiple sports offered at the games.
"Compared to other countries
But this is just the reason why young Americans should pay more attention to the games.
we are generally lazier," he said. "We as a society do not play or understand sports as competitively as we should."
Barnett said she enjoyed the Olympics as a way to educate herself about sports she was not familiar with.
"I like to watch gymnastics and other sports that are not typically shown here every day," Barnett said. "It is a great way to learn about them and see athletes from other countries who specialize in these events."
It may be difficult, however, to get the best sense of what the games are about when only one television station broadcasts the Olympics, hopping around to each event and only showing really a glimpse of the competi-
it is the only time we can watch countries around the world be unified."
"
Lindsay Barnett Colorado junior
tion - leaving an event for another just as you start to get interested.
Diane Severin, University of Kansas graduate, finds it very difficult to pay attention to the Olympics.
"I find it boring that you watch the same athlete compete in the team competition, individual all around, then individual event, with the same routines or exact same event three different times then receive medals for all
of them," she said.
This is understandable, but it should be no excuse to not appreciate a tradition that dates back to the fifth century B.C. Even if someone finds the games boring, he should respect them for the tradition alone.
There are so many sports represented that anyone should be able to find something of interest. The three most popular events are gymnastics, track and swimming. Regardless of which sports we watch, we should not fail to take a couple hours out of our hectic lives these next few days to watch as Iraqis stand next to Americans who stand next to Israelis.
When the torch flame is extinguished on Friday, it will be two more years before this peacefulness within competition occurs again.
Olympic games alter viewing habits
By Paul BRAND
pbrand@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
The Olympics is an uncommon event: Viewers who don't normally watch sports are commonly watching.
"One reason I watch the Olympics is that it's interesting to watch sports I normally don't get a chance to see." Eric Fine, Olathe info, said.
With its broadcast of the 2004 summer Olympics from Athens, NBC and other networks airing the Olympics have not struggled for viewers. During the week of August 9 to 15, the top three spots in the Nielson television ratings were held by the network's first three nights of prime-time Olympic coverage.
In contrast to typical American preference, the first week's prime-time coverage of
the Athens' games relied heavily on swimming, gymnastics and beach volleyball. Despite the fact that these sports generally receive little media exposure outside of the Olympics, Americans still watched.
But what makes Americans tune in to sports that usually remain low-profile?
The saturation of the television market by NBC provides one answer.
"I watch the hell out of the Olympics," Jeremy Young, Lawrence senior, said. "It's all that on."
During daytime hours, NBC offers seemingly ubiquitous coverage of the games by spreading its broadcasts over six networks. NBC, MSNBC, USA, Bravo, CNBC and Telemundo combine to bring the viewer around the clock reporting from Athens.
Another reason audiences
across the country have shown so much interest is the sheer spectacle of the games. This year's Olympics features competitors from 202 countries, with nations such as East Timor competing for the first time.
Additionally, the Olympics showcase the changing political climates in many nations. In the first Olympics since undergoing regime changes, both Iraq and Afghanistan have sent competitors to Athens. Although neither country has earned a medal yet, Iraq's soccer team has impressed many by making it to yesterday's semifinal soccer match.
For those viewers more interested in intriguing personal stories and shocking developments, the Athens games have failed to disappoint.
Young said that he tuned into the Olympics for the surprises.
"You want to see what happens next," he said.
Some of the most fascinating surprises have come from the world of gymnastics.
First, Paul Hamm became the first American male ever to capture the gold medal. Only one day later, Carly Patterson became the first female from the American team to win the allaround since Mary Lou Retton in 1984.
Outside of individual performances, viewers are also drawn in by the overall output of the American Olympic team. To many the competition in the medal count, in which the Americans currently hold a comfortable lead, is a matter of national pride and highlights the best athletes in the United States.
"It gives people on the other side of the world a chance to see American athletes," Fine said.
—Edited by Johanna M. Maska
Julie Jacobson/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Bennie Brezell, of the United States, runs in a semifinal of the 400m hurdles at the 2004 Olympic Games yesterday in Athens, Greece.
Julie Jacobson/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Use your card at any of these convenient locations:
GIFT CAMPUS
Domino's Pizza
Jawhawk Bookstore
LaDa Salon
Lawrence Memorial Hospital
Business Office
Lawrence Memorial Hospital
Gift Shop
Lawrence OB GYN
Randall's Formal We
Steak n Shake
The Cup
ON CAMPUS
Academic Computing
Campus Dining Facilities
Mrs. E.S. Dining Facility (Lewis Hall)
Es Express Dining Facility (Haslinger Hall)
G.N.P. Corbin Dining Facility
Oliver Dining Facility
Cashier's/Comptroller's Office
Cashier's Compraptor's Office
Great Clips — Kansas Union (Level 3)
Louisville, Kentucky Union
Jay Bowl - Kansas Union
KU Bookstore Kansas & Burge Union
Led Center
Milton's - Kansas Union (Level I)
Parking Department
Center
Outdoor PurseIt
Register's Office
School of Business - Study Abroad Italy
Student Housing
Student Lafont Business Office
SUA Office - Bus Pass
Telecommunications
Watkins Health Center
Walkins Health Center Pharmacy
Call, click, or come by * 861-5816 * commercebank.com
Commerce Bank