By Jordan Schilit
Sports Editor
The world was watching. Literally.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games attracted the largest global TV audience ever. More than two in three people worldwide watched the XXIX Olympiad.
Between Aug. 8 and Aug. 24, over 70 percent of the world’s population — 4.7 billion viewers — chimed in to watch the Games. That’s a significant improvement from 2004 in Athens (3.9 billion viewers) and 2000 in Sydney (3.6 billion viewers).
Ninety-four percent of China’s population watched. In the United States, the Games ranked as the most-viewed TV event ever, with an audience of 211 million. The average per day was 27 million.
It’s not too surprising, really. Michael Phelps became the top pool shark with 14 gold medals. Winning eight in 2008 — all in World Record fashion — silenced any doubters that Phelps is among the best swimmers ever. Twenty-one total swimming World Records were re-written. Only two swimming events didn’t see Olympic Records fall.
Usain Bolt effortlessly chest-pumped his way to World Records in the 100-meter dash (9.69 seconds) and 200m (19.30). He also helped Jamaica to a WR in the 4×100m relay (37.10). His ecstatic victory celebrations have electrified track and field.
Jang Mi-Ran of South Korea set three world-bests in Women’s weightlifting too. Over 30 WRs were set at the Games in ’08.
Misty May-Treanor and Kerry Walsh dominated Women’s beach volleyball, taking gold without losing a set. Men’s and women’s basketball both went undefeated to golden victory. Ethiopians Kenenisa Bekele and Tiruesh Dibaba swept 5,000m and 10,000m crowns. And Kenyan Sammy Wanjiru won the Men’s marathon in Olympic record fashion, despite smoggy air quality.
So the torch has been passed back to the Western Hemisphere. And furry mascots Sumi, Quatchi, and Miga will be welcoming spectators. But cuddly creatures and sparkling speed suits may only bring viewing rates to Major League Soccer caliber, sadly.
The ’08 extravaganza was flawless. Everyone was hooked. Vancouver now has enormous snowshoes to fill this year.
The Winter Olympics only offers seven sports with multiple disciplines. With the absence of many record-setting events, a clear disadvantage emerges in viewing diversity.
Well, at least ski jumpers can fly. And Shaun White comes close on the Super Pipe. Bobsleds glide at 80 mph. Luge and skeleton reach speeds close to 90. But that’s not enough.
The world needs to be surprised. It needs to witness more jaw-dropping moments. Even people who didn’t see Phelps or Bolt dominate their respective fields heard about the extraordinary headlines. History was changing and not just sports history.
Thankfully Ghanaian skier Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong will compete in the slalom. Japan’s Mao Asado, 19, could land two triple axles at her first Olympics. Norway’s Ole Einar Bjoerndalen could break Bjorn Daehlie’s all-time record of 12 gold medals.
What if there were another “Miracle on Ice?” What if a Jamaican Bobsled team made the podium? What if curlers had rocket skates? What if a figure skating pair landed the “Iron Lotus”?
The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games begin on Friday. You will see biathletes shoot quarter-sized targets from nearly 200 feet away. But don’t get too excited when you see brooms. Trust me, they are far from magical.
This article is © 2008 The Bi-College News. The material on this page is free for personal or educational use, but may not be reproduced, reprinted, republished, redistributed, or otherwise transmitted to a third party without the express written permission of The Bi-College News, 370 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041.
Editor's note: Articles that appear in the Last Word section are works of satire.
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