Teddy Atlas And Bob Papa Kicked Out Of Boxing Arena; NBC Doesn't Really Care Because No One From The U.S. Is In Contention [London Olympics]

The International Amateur Boxing Association claimed that NBC's announcers were "disturbing" the judges with their criticism and requested that organizers remove them from their ringside position. NBC was the only entity granted a ringside position and organizers politely suggested that maybe they take their microphones and judging critiques to the space reserved for the rest of the commoners. Since there are no Americans left to contend for a medal, NBC said thanks, but no thanks.

"NBC commentators were offered a booth in the media tribune like other broadcasters because they were very disturbing for AIBA officials - even during bouts they were not broadcasting - being located at the edge of the Field of Play," an AIBA spokesman said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

"They claimed that since no boxers from the USA were still in the running, they didn't want to stay anyway."

NBC hasn't ditched boxing altogether, though. It still has a camera on site and will record the action and then add commentary from New York. If NBC's Olympic coverage actually came anywhere near sports reporting, or sports broadcasting, we might say this is a despicable act of censorship. But this is not censorship, it's just two heavyweights trying to out-farce one another. It's entertainment.

Image via Getty
NBC Olympic boxing announcers leave in dispute with IBA [SI]
Boxing: NBC asked to cease ringside commentary [Yahoo]

For a handy master schedule of every Olympic event, click here.

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That Runner Who Got Kicked Out Of The Olympics For Tanking Just Won The Race He Actually Cared About [London Olympics]

Aug 7, 2012 5:20 PM  

Yesterday we brought you the story of Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria, who tanked out of his qualifying heat in the 800m in order to conserve his energy for the 1500m final, a stunt that got him kicked out of the Olympics altogether. Makhloufi was later reinstated when he obtained a doctor's note claiming that his performance in the 800m was due to a "knee injury."

Well, that knee seems to have recovered dandily, because Makhloufi just took gold in the 1500m final. The knee injury excuse was obviously bogus, but it's hard to be mad at Makhloufi for doing what he did. He had a much better chance at winning the 1500m, and he knew that he was going to need all the strength he could muster in order to do so. His move may be reprehensible to some (prickish) people, but not to me. He got the gold he wanted, and his tanking didn't adversely effect any of the other runners who were competing. His crime was as victimless as it gets. I suppose the spectators who showed up to watch his heat have some room to complain, but anyone expecting riveting athletic competition from a qualifying heat is dumb.

So, to sum up, if you want to be an Olympic gold medalist, don't go around giving your all like some kind of square. And be sure to smoke plenty of weed. And get laid once in a while, too.

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Former 100m World Champion Kicked Out Of Olympics For Meeting His Wife In A Hotel [London Olympics]

Aug 4, 2012 8:36 AM  

A former 100m world champion will not compete in the event at the London Olympics after being caught visiting his wife in a hotel outside the Olympic Village.

St. Kitts & Nevis sprinter Kim Collins—who carried the flag in the opening ceremony—complained on Twitter, stating "Even men in prison get their wives to visit." The Washington Post says Collins has missed camp the last several days.

It would have been Collins's fifth Olympics.

[USA Today]

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