During coverage of the Games on "NBC Nightly News," Tom
Brokaw previewed a sampling of foreign TV coverage on problems
in Atlanta by saying, "These Summer Games are the biggest ever,
with a record number of athletes from almost 200 countries. So,
it's no surprise that there have been problems and where there
are problems, complaints. In this case, mostly from the foreign
media." Brokaw also had a sit-down interview with ACOG CEO Billy
Payne. Payne, on transportation difficulties: "We had a couple
of problems early on with the press -- the wrong constituency to
have a problem with -- and it's gotten much better and we're
having a great celebration down here." Payne, on whether
security had anything to do with transportation problems: "No,
honestly, I think our success did. We have sold more tickets,
have more spectators than Los Angeles and Barcelona combined and
everybody's coming down to party. And, of course, when you put
that many people in one downtown area, you've got to make
adjustments" (NBC, 7/24).
PRINT COVERAGE: Payne met earlier in the day with
journalists from several countries and the U.S. The ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION ran an extensive Q&A. Payne: "I knew there would
be something and I did not anticipate that both of the issues
would have direct impact on the media" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION,
7/25). In Atlanta, Harris & McCarty note, "Instead of adopting a
bunker mentality, ACOG brass are resorting to the same brand of
homespun hospitality that insiders say helped them win the
Olympic Games in the first place" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 7/25).
Other ACOG officials cited full venues and strong ticket sales
(USA TODAY, 7/25). MEDIA STARTING TO LET UP? N.Y. TIMES
headline: "Atlanta Bristles at All the Criticism" (N.Y. TIMES,
7/25). The CONSTITUTION's Emerson & Wisniewski note that media
organizations that have "savaged" Atlanta and ACOG "appear ready
to give the story a rest -- at least for now" (ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION, 7/25). L.A. TIMES headline: "Newest Sport on
World Stage: Atlanta Bashing" (L.A. TIMES, 7/25). ABC News
noted complaints about computer and transportation glitches
"finally are being addressed" (ABC, 7/24). Still, NEWSDAY's
Stephanie Saul writes, "The plan to showcase Atlanta to the world
appears to have backfired" (NEWSDAY, 7/25).
A.M. TV: On ABC's "Good Morning America," Frank Deford said
the IOC is partly to blame and "should take some of the
responsibility for choosing Atlanta. ... I don't think Atlanta or
the Atlanta Committee had the money to run these Olympics."
Deford, on commercialism: "We started with the torch, the torch
was sponsored [by Coca-Cola] and we've just gone downhill from
there." On fan behavior, Deford said, "This boorishness of
Americans, I'm afraid, will be retained in the minds of an awful
lot of visitors" (ABC, 7/25).
