On The Air: NBC Finds A New Star In Analyst Ato Boldon
As I watch NBC’s coverage of the Olympic track and field competition two things become crystal clear. First, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is to track what Michael Phelps is to swimming.
Secondly, track analyst Ato Boldon has become a real star for NBC with his enthusiasm, knowledge and colorful style, which lights up the TV screen.
In his first Olympic assignment, Boldon and his partner Tom Hammond have done a brilliant job of not missing a single detail of the track and field coverage. Boldon, who is a four-time Olympic medalist for Trinidad and Tobago, is entertaining in his analysis.
Prior to the 200-meter final, Boldon was confident that Bolt could win the race in world-record time if only he would keep the hammer down, run through the tape and not fool around.
Bolt did exactly what Boldon said he needed to do in setting a world record in the 200: “This is the greatest performance perhaps that we have ever seen in a track and field event. He broke Michael Johnson’s world record and had a headwind in his face to do it. What a performance by Usain Bolt. He broke the world record that I thought would be a record on the day I died. … Thus Usain Bolt cements himself as the track-and-field star of these Olympic Games with his second world record in eight races.”
While Boldon is generous with his praise, he is not afraid to level harsh but spot-on analysis as he did when talking about the problems with the U.S. track team.
Boldon: “ We were at their training camp and they have had every single thing laid out for them — they were absolutely in the lap of luxury. And maybe that’s part of the problem. Because this team, I thought when it was chosen in Eugene, Ore., was one of the best USA teams ever. And in fact, they have come to Beijing and they have underperformed, the likes of which we probably have never seen from a U.S. track and field team. And guys, to be quite honest, the fact that there was a departure by the previous CEO, and there was a vacancy there in the Olympic year, quite possibly could have meant that that vacuum of leadership for USA Track & Field has affected severely the performance of this U.S. Olympic team.”
The reason Boldon is a star at NBC is the passion for the sport that he brings to his broadcasting. His Caribbean/British accent, his colorful descriptions of the races and the competitors make him entertaining. His insights on the sport add to a long list of reasons to watch him and his partner Hammond cover the track events.
Bottom line, Boldon makes watching the track events fun, which is more than NBC could ask for from their first-time analyst.
Kudos to Bolden of course...but the guy down on the track interviewing the athletes immediately after their races was the WORST sports jounalist in history. (To Spearmon) "You just found out your bronze medal has been taken away...what are your emotions?" What planet is this gut y from??? Telling Olympic Bronze Medalist Sonya Richards that becuase she didn't get the Gold "you have nothing to show for..." and on and on
Posted by: Marty / August 23, 2008 / 1:33 AM
Yup. 100% correct. USATF needs to grow the grassroots programs. Guess where a recent annual meeting was held: IN HAWAII. Guess when? CHRISTMAS. Time to clean house
Posted by: Gonzo / August 23, 2008 / 6:58 PM
I agree with your assessment of Boldon. His passion, knowledge and willingness to speak the "truth" was refreshing. A real star in the making without even trying...he just stayed true to himself. I agree with Marty...the man interviewing the athletes after the races was very annoying. Where did that guy come from?
Posted by: R / August 24, 2008 / 9:07 PM
I recognize the guy that was interviewing everyone after the races. He was a local sports guys from Atlanta or Jacksonville, I can't remember.
Posted by: Sebastian VanDyke / August 25, 2008 / 11:12 AM
Couldn't disagree more. I found Boldon loud, annoying, unbelievably repetitive, and surprisingly light on insight. I kept telling myself: "There's no way they're bringing this guy back." He thought the 200m record was going to last his entire lifetime? What a joke. Maybe his lifetime as a TV analyst. You happen to highlight one of his few good moments, when he honestly assessed the current plight of the U.S. track program. Other than that, I thought it was a failed experiment.
Posted by: MikeW / August 25, 2008 / 11:38 AM
The guy's name who did the post-race interviews is Bob Neumeier. He is a sports journalist refugee from Boston and, trust me, he was just as awful in Boston as he was in the Olympics.
Posted by: Jim / August 25, 2008 / 1:40 PM
Whoever thinks Bolden was annoying is on crack. He was fantastic. His comment on Bolt's running a video game time was a very original description. He was excited, knew the sport, and has a great voice. I think he was the perfect compliment to the story of the Jamaican surprise and the American (only partial) demise. NBC was lucky in the way it all came together. Bolt and Bolden revived mass interest in track and field. Nuemeier asked tough questions, which is ok sometimes, but his treatment of Spearmon was totally unacceptable and bullying. This tool comes from the abusive/invasive school of journalism, which leaves a bad taste. All in all, the track at Beijing 2008 was the most dramatic and inspiring tv of any kind I've seen in years. Makes our domestic spoiled-baby-filled pro sports look pathetic in comparison.
Posted by: Jackson Wallace / August 25, 2008 / 2:36 PM