February 16 bias

The Winter Olympics , we watch it from 6 to 10 most nights . It’s been enjoyable and interesting to receive the broadcast from an American slant. Of course it’s broadcast here with coverage of the US athletes as it’s dominate focus . The bias is no different than what we’d see from an Australian coverage . There is a noticeable attitude to expectations, they expect to win . Of course it’s understandable when you consider they have a large population who live in and around alpine conditions. The half pipe final with Shaun White up against our own Scotty James was riveting. We had a virtual ‘Days of our Lives’ mini series lead in on the bravery and the ‘road to redemption ‘ for poor Shaun as he had missed out at the last Olympics only due to the poor conditions . He’d already won gold in the previous 2 Olympics.Apparently it didn’t suit his technical excellence. Ummm didn’t the other guys also have to compete in those conditions? I have no doubt that Shaun White deserved to win , he’s the best that’s ever been in this sport . Still the commentary was eerily quiet when the Aussie ( James) was on his run , you felt the fear in the broadcast . There was a respect that our guy was a dark horse who technically had a repertoire that could unseat the king . When Scott fell two thirds into his final run you heard the expelled air in the commentary, the relief . On the final run White nailed it , he was awesome . The coverage had no doubt he’d do it , they were certain . They said this is how Shaun would want it .The last run with the most pressure , coming from behind and on the road from redemption. It was sickly , it was the American story , they loved it , scripted it this way . He won , there wasn’t any doubt. I was barracking for Shaun to lose . Not for Shauns sake , but just so as it would upset the narrative .This is the American psyche when it comes to sport on the international stage , they have no doubt that they’l win and they’ve got what it takes to stay the best. Aussies love being the underdog , that’s ok ,the Yanks love that as well , but what they do best is …. win . They’re the ‘ Top Dog’.