Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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The hunt for Bob Costas covered three days, but but when we finally worked out our schedules, it was on.
Costas says he loves the live live aspect of these Beijing games. "This has gone so well, because the extreme time difference has allowed us to show a huge percentage of the events live. Anybody who does sports that knows that live is where it is at. It's not just the ratings, but what people tell me when I speak to people back in the States, it's about the buzz of people forcing themselves to stay up late." he said.
"And I understand that Salt Lake City, like it always is, is the number one market. In Salt Lake they cannot get enough. .. In Salt Lake they are Tivo-ing the double's table tennis. They are so obsessed," he said.
Then we brought up Michael Phelps. Costas is a great wordsmith, but how does one find words to describe an athlete like Phelps? "I think at one point I said he has exhausted all superlatives, which he really has. Just some of the greatest theater, the greatest drama, truly memorable. There are people who have never followed swimming, who, when they are asked 20 years from now to list their the top ten sports thrills, that will be at or near the top," Costas said.
Then it was on to the USA basketball team. Costas said, "They are much better than the rest of the competition. They are just the best. But they are going to win with dignity and class."
Costas told us he's have a great time in Beijing, calling his Olympic job "what broadcasting should be." But was he having fun in our interview? "No this, this I am doing because of some bizarre arrangement that we made back in the 80s. Until you release the photographs, I have no choice," he jokingly said.
And we couldn't resist asking him about the "Bob bag", which we've seen many people carrying around. His response was, "I'm really honored that I have achieved iconic status. It is the Bob Olympics." There's nothing like a little shameless self-promotion.
