Media and the Olympics

Ratings and revenue. That is the American way. Television which in its legacy form is dying due to content no one cares for is trying to use other legacy franchises like the Olympic Games to stay relevant.

Is it succeeding? I have no idea. I do not watch any Olympic action myself. But perhaps I am minority. For those that do the spillover from what athletes do on and off track / or podium is gossip.

Take the Simone Biles story. Everyone and their uncle including NPR discussed her as a hot favorite for Team USA. Reality not so.

She backed off after complaining she had lost her sense of space not being able to tell up from down when spinning mid air. Could be dangerous. 100%.

But wait. So she is human? Yes.

But is she an Olympian? Yes. Because she possessed and perhaps continues to possess skills that distinguish her from most mortals.

But is she a gold winner. No. To me that should have been end of the story. If you are capable of producing what crowds want to see and distinguish yourself in terms of superhuman strength or agility or whatever your job demands then you get to be IT. Same for corporations, artistry, cooking or any other form of human endeavor.

If you cannot hold your drink then you go sit down with the others.

What is the big discussion? Reams are being devoted on media to discuss her backing down. Debate about if she is not worth her place at the team level or otherwise. To me it is a bad day at the mat and she does not get to wear Gold. Someone else in more peak form does.

That is why Federer with a consistent 20 year record to me is an example of a GOAT. You need staying power which most humans lack. That is how you distinguish the stellar from not stellar. And that is not to say being sub stellar is bad. Far from it. Most of us are latter. So move on.

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