NBC Sports officials say Rio is ready
Depending on whom you ask, Rio de Janeiro might or might not be ready for the Olympics.
The network that is broadcasting the Games in the USA, however, expressed strong optimism Monday.
“I think, in a nutshell, we are ready and Rio is ready,” NBC Sports chairman Mark Lazarus said at an event at 30 Rockefeller Plaza to promote the Rio Olympics. “While there are still some things that they need to finish out and we as a broadcast network need to finish that preparation, we and the city are both ready. This will be the biggest media event in history.”
The positive outlook doesn’t eliminate the numerous concerns that have cropped up in Brazil.
The spread of the Zika virus, transmitted through mosquitoes, has become one of the biggest story lines of the Games. President Dilma Rousseff ’s impeachment and questions about the effectiveness of police forces have prompted some to worry about the safety of visitors and fans.
“Obviously, we’re monitoring all of these issues very closely,” Lazarus said. “First and foremost, the safety of our employees, guests and all that is still the most important thing for us. Everyone on our staff had the option to participate on whether to go to Rio or not. Very few people, under a handful, declined to come. That’s really not an issue for us.
“As it relates to the issues surrounding the Olympic Games, that’s not new. Every Olympic Games, whether the last few or years back, have always had issues. ... All of those things have always worked themselves through. Some have been impactful in small ways; many have not.”
Lazarus said NBC will run a preview episode Aug. 4 to discuss the issues of unrest at the top of the Games but will then shift the focus to the athletes. If the stories off the competition field “rear their heads,” Lazarus said, the network will cover them as needed.
One major concern is the water quality at sites such as Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, where rowing, sprint canoe and kayak events will be held. Raw sewage and waste have been found in the water.
“They have had several test events there,” said Jim Bell, executive producer of NBC Olympics. “It has not been an issue so far. We don’t expect it to be an issue. But there was a promise made that it would be clean, and it is a promise that has not been kept. Otherwise, everything else really looks great.”
Body parts also recently washed up on Copacabana beach, where beach volleyball will be held.
“The security blanket is going to be extensive,” said Gary Zenkel, president of NBC Olympics, before adding that there will be double the personnel for the Rio Games than there was four years ago in London.
But it’s not only external issues that are impacting the Games.
For the first time since 1904 in St. Louis, golf will be played at the Olympics. But a number of the PGA Tour’s top performers withdrew from the competition, most notably Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Dustin Johnson.
“Well, it’s surprising and disappointing that so many male golfers — uniquely male golfers — have decided not to participate,” Lazarus said. “That’s a distinction that male golfers have vis-à-vis any other set of athletes participating in the Games. It is disappointing.
“I think these gentlemen will look back on this and wish they had participated.”
NBC golf analyst David Feherty echoed that statement.
“I’m not sure it will impact our coverage at all,” Feherty said via satellite stream. “I think 50 or 75 or 100 years from now, people won’t remember who didn’t play in the 2016 Olympics. They will just remember who was a gold medalist. These guys get to play in four majors a year. They get to play in one Olympics every four years. Major championships make your career, but I think an Olympic medal makes you immortal. I think it’s that important. I really do.”
Every Olympic event will be available across NBC’s numerous networks and streamed online. The opening ceremony Aug. 5, however, will not be available for live stream and will air on a onehour delay.