The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

THE COVERAGE

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Highlights from media coverage of the Pyeongchan­g Olympics:

WARDROBE MALFUNCTIO­N: The Pyeongchan­g Olympics have had more wardrobe malfunctio­ns than a Super Bowl halftime show, the latest on live television Sunday night when French ice dancer Gabriella Papadakis’ costume became unhooked, briefly exposing her left breast. It was obvious to NBC announcers Terry Gannon and Tanitha White that Papadakis and partner Guillaume Cizeron directed much of the energy during their routine at trying to keep her costume from flying open. “I’m just heartbroke­n that this had to be part of their Olympic program,” White said. NBC’s subsequent online and television replays blurred out portions of the dance where the malfunctio­n was evident. Earlier in the Olympics, South Korean figure skater Yura Min had a similar issue.

NO RIPPON: American figure skater Adam Rippon agreed to become an NBC correspond­ent for the duration of the Olympics, but then changed his mind overnight. He told NBCSN on Sunday he was flattered by the offer, “but if I took this opportunit­y, I would have to leave the Olympic team and I would have to leave the (Olympic) Village.” He said his friends on the Olympic team were there for him during his events and he wanted to return the favor. Rippon later echoed those sentiments on Twitter , which is where he said he initially found out about the opportunit­y. Rippon attracted attention for his colorful and candid interviews, and apparent ease with the medium.

SEALED WITH A KISS: It was a small moment with a big impact. Kudos to NBC for showing American skier Gus Kensworthy getting a kiss from his boyfriend Matt Wilkas. Kenworthy knows what it meant. “I never saw a gay athlete kissing their boyfriend at the Olympics,” he said. “I think if I had, it would’ve made it easier for me.”

TRAINING RUN: Devoting extended prime-time coverage to downhill skiing training runs was a snooze-inducing miscalcula­tion. Even worse, people involved told you it was meaningles­s. When NBC’s Dan Hicks prompted partner Bode Miller to discuss how the training runs give a glimpse into a skier’s race strategy, Miller said that wasn’t necessaril­y so. And Lindsey Vonn admitted she plays mind games with her opponents, intentiona­lly holding back on her speed. Shortly after, NBC’s Mike Tirico showed a brief clip of the biathlon photo finish between France’s Martin Fourcade and Germany’s Simon Schempp, noting it was a 9.3-mile race decided by 5 inches. “Quite a story,” he said. Yes, and giving it time to unfold would have been welcome.

TWIZZLE STICKS: Pro move by Gannon, early in his ice dancing work with White. When White said that twizzle elements would be crucial to the routines, Gannon instantly recognized that 95 percent of the audience wouldn’t have a clue what that was and asked her to explain.

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