[Amore]

Well, I guess this will get me flamed, since I've seen absolutely no one here saying this, but -- within reason -- I like a lot of those athlete profiles. It does put a face on an otherwise anonymous athlete. IMHO. I also don't understand why everyone blames NBC for it. ABC is the one who perfected the technique years ago.

On a more convivial note, for those who talked about the Bush phone call, here's a brief blurb callisto posted: link to phone call article

[twyn1]

Re: athlete profiles.

I don't mind seeing one or two of these a night...but keep them short and sweet (and puh-leeze--not too sappy). It can be nice to put a personality to a face, and I don't mind hearing about athletes who have overcome great adversity or injury, but I've seen some real DOOZIES

Do you remember when they showed how the "poor" Russian (or Ukraine ???) skater Oksana Baiul had to scrape the ice off with a big squeegee because they didn't have a working Zamboni at her rink -- I mean come on -- the only time she scraped that ice was when she did it for our American cameras

[OldFriend]

I found the story of the snowboarder competing after a liver transplant inspiring. My husband was in the hospital for serious cancer surgery. He was so depressed after the surgery we couldn't get him to turn on the TV or take any interest in anything. We ordered the TV saying WE wanted to watch Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France.

The story of Lance overcoming cancer made a world of difference to my husband and soon he was cheering on the biker and caring about living again.

Perhaps none of us need outside inspiration because our lives are so problem free but if people are encouraged to go on with their dreams no matter what obstacles come their way, then I say tell the stories of the athletes.