Is it just me, or do sports announcers use far too many superlatives? Watching the Olympics has been like perusing a lexicon of sports clichés. Some of the most common are:
- Best / First / Greatest (often accompanied by the word “world”)
- History / Historic (usually every other event)
- Amazing
- Incredible
- Unbelievable
- Impossible
- Inspirational
- Perfect
Really, if professional athletes regularly do “unbelievable” things, how unbelievable can they be? “Amazing,” “impossible,” “incredible” should be saved for accomplishments that really are. I mean, if Michael Phelps winning 8 gold medals was Impossible, as so many sports wires were saying, then it could have never been done, right? Now, me winning 8 gold medals? THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE. It would be refreshing to watch an Olympic match or televised sporting event where there were only “good” plays, performed by “competent” athletes, in the realm of the completely “possible.”
Hyperbole chic? Or mundane aloof? These are extreme times, no?
I agree, Mike. There’s a big rush to declare every new victor the “greatest ever”. However, there is a simple solution. I think Bela Karolyi should be announcing every event. That guy cracks me up every time.
This is totally off topic, Mike, but I already asked Mark H. and he couldn’t help me, so . . .
If you’ve seen the commercial for Reebok which features NFL players, some walking up sand dunes, there’s a song playing in the background sung by a female with a lilting voice. It’s a great song. Would you happen to know the singer and song?
My favorite part of the Olympics has been the Morgan Freeman narrated “Go World!” commercials. Who needs national pride anyways. You know,
Michael Phelps wins eight golds! – Go World!
The USA Men’s Basketball Team beats down China – Go World!
The USA Men’s Soccer Team loses and doesn’t advance to the medal round! – Go World!
See, it’s fun. You never have to be disappointed or feel like your country really sucks at anything!
Nicole, I haven’t seen that commercial. And Chris, I’ve been toying with a post about “Nationalism,” and how it’s actually good for the world that there are individual nations who “encapsulate” their own culture and celebrate it.