Thanks for the link. As I have said in other threads, NBC is really promoting this Cold War mentality between Russia and the United States. That was even before the free skate. I really wish they would drop it since the Cold War ended 20 years ago. Scotty, Sandra and the rest of the NBC team have outdated, anachronistic views about Russia and it has influenced American media coverage IMHO.
For one thing, the big news here is that Russia will not contest the results of the competition. There will be no whining from them to get the IOC to have another medal ceremony and award Plushenko a gold. That's the lead here. The rest of the article is just a rehash of Plushenko's undiplomatic comments about his loss and Russian broadcasters fluffing him up to ease his sore wounds.
In addition, the comments by Russia's sports minister Mutko are also noteworthy:
“Judging is an eternal problem. But, the system of judging is the way it is, and one has to fit into it, instead of criticizing it,” said Mutko.
“What is there to dispute? Things like that do not warrant issuing protests,” he added
Isn't that what Lysacek's defenders have been saying since the free skate? That Plushenko should have worked the system better?
I find it curious that NBC all of a sudden reports on what Russian broadcasters said about Plushenko's loss, when most of the time they could care less about the world's hometown views of non-North Americans. This is simply propaganda and I refuse to allow NBC to influence me in that manner.
I guess NBC decided not to go for the rah-rah jingoistic coverage of figure skating like they have in other competitions. Instead they have decided to go for the Cold War angle. It's rather boring and trite for someone like me who neither enjoys the jingoism or the hyping of this Cold War rivalry. Oh, well, I'm guessing that NBC thinks controversy is good for ratings.
This drama is overhyped IMHO. Hopefully, the American's coverage of the Cold War crap at these Olympics will end with this latest stament by Russian officials that they have no intention of contesting the standing.
At the end of the day, Evan has his gold. After this event, will anyone care about this drama? I don't think so....