The Chat House Goes to The Winter Olympics!

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With
Michael Wilbon
Washington Post Columnist

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002; 1:30 p.m. ET

The Chat House has temporarily MOVED to Salt Lake City for the Winter Olympics! Join another special edition of The House with Michael Wilbon LIVE from Utah today to talk about the Winter Games. Michael is skating solo today; remember Tony is afraid to fly!

The transcript of today's discussion follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

To read the most recent responses, click "Get New Responses" or select "Automatically Update Page."

Michael Wilbon: Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to The Chat House for another Olympic Edition with Michael Wilbon. Unfortunately, we have to delay the Chat by about 15 minutes b/c Wilbon is on his way down the mountain back to the Main Press Centre. His cell phone connection is very shaky and I can't hear him well enough to type his answers and have a coherent discussion. So, hang out for another 15 mins and when Mike gets back to the MPC, we'll get started. Thanks for your patience. --Mary

to mary: whoa! you actually relay question to him and then you type them for him? props to you...

Michael Wilbon: Yeah. Actually, that's how the Chat House has been produced since its inception. I build the HTML page, pick the questions in advance, another producer picks them and sends them during the hour The Chat House takes places and then I type Tony and Mike's answers (and add in some commentary, of course). So, if there are any spelling errors (esp. w/sports figures), they are mine! --Mary

Washington, D.C.: Mary,

Is that how ALL of the online chats work? I know someone must be typing for Bob Levy! Is there anyone who isn't too lazy (or too old) to type their own responses?

Michael Wilbon: No. The majority of guest/hosts type for themselves. Bob Levy especially. He is a super fast typist. And it's not a matter of being too lazy or too old for the folks who don't type. It's either they can't type, they get freaked by the technology or they don't have a reliable Internet connection. Although, you'd be amazed by the number of people who can't type: hunt and peck city. Typing was one of the best class I ever took in high school! --Mary

Washington, DC: Mary, love you, love the Chat! What happened to Tony's picture on the chat page today? He has been bumped by Wilbon, whose fierce mug is now dominating the page!

Michael Wilbon: Hi DC, Thank you. I took Tony's picture off of the page today b/c he's not in The House and he's not participating in this Olympic Chat. Tony is not covering The Games, but Wilbon is. Speaking of Wilbon, I just called him on his cell phone to get on his case about not being here and it's turned off. Hmmm..... He must be inside where the phone doesn't work. I expect to get him connected and back in The House shortly. --Mary

Michael Wilbon: Mike is about 50 ft from a land line phone so hang tight. --Mary

Reston, VA: All votes for getting Mary her own chat? What would be the emphasis?

Michael Wilbon: Thanks, but I don't have time. But if I did, fashion combined with dating do's and don'ts. It could be hilarious. --Mary

Washington, DC: So Mary, is there a picture of you up on the web?

Michael Wilbon: Nope. --Mary

Baltimore: Mary, while we're waiting, what's your option of Australia's stunning performance in Salt Lake?

Michael Wilbon: It's really amazing since there is only really one place in Oz to go skiiing, down in the south of the country. I know the athletes train overseas, but still. Australia is hardly the first country you think of when you think of The Winter Olympics. It's more like sun and surf! --Mary

Crystal City, VA: Hi, what venue were you at today? I'm from Salt Lake City, so I just wanted you to know I'm jealous that you are there, and I'm here in Washington. I waited for the games for many years, and,ironically, moved here last month on a whim. Do you like Utah? And, do you think Utah will have a better reputation/be more mainstream because of these olympics? Or, do most people think it will go back to the same it was before(I'm Mormon, but also in college, so I like the Church's influence for good in the community, but also the new nightlife options brought by these olympics)?

Michael Wilbon: Hi everyone. I'm late b/c all hell is breaking out here including Jim Shea winning a gold medal.... there is so much stuff I can't even tell you at the moment. There are great stories going on everywhere. A Norwegian skiier is threatening to win his 4th career gold medal which would put him behind only American speedskater Eric Heiden who has five. I've been to Utah 10-12 times in my life. I've always like Salt Lake City. I went for the first time to Park City yesterday. I'm insanely in love w/Deer Valley/Park City..... like I'm the only one. Salt Lake enjoys a fine reputation already among travelers. I've always found the city to be hospitable. --Mike

Upper Marlboro, Md: I know you do not consider figure skating a sport.

I wonder what your take on golf is? I mean you hit a little ball, ride in your cart to where it is and then hit it again?

Seems like figure skating involves more than that.

George

Michael Wilbon: George, ballet involves more than golf too if you're talking about physical exertion. Does that mean that ballet is a sport? Disco dancing requires more exertion than golf. Does that mean disco dancing is a sport? My definition of a sport is very simple. If an endeavor can only reach a conclusion by being judged, it's not a sport. I'm not questioning the athleticism of the skaters. I stand in awe of what they do. But, I also stand awe of the Joffrey Ballet and the athleticism those dancers exhibit. Or when I go the Alvin Ailey company. Do you want to put that into the Olympics? --Mike

Washington, DC: I would have to say your commentary on figure skating the other day was pretty sexist and homophobic. Why do you care if a man holds a teddy bear or whether a woman doesn't meet your standards of beauty? I don't think I would ever from you that some football or basketball star wasn't good solely based on their looks. Oh, and in case you attack me for my question, I am a heterosexual male.

Michael Wilbon: Why are you equating holding a teddy bear w/homosexuality? Maybe I'm wondering about your homophobia. Not only is this not about homosexuality, but we know for a fact some of the guys holding the teddy bears are heterosexual. So don't assign your issues to my commentary. --Mike

Gaithersburg, MD: Not a question, but a comment please. Your column the other day about ice skating as a sport was perhaps the funniest and best I have ever read....and that includes Dave Berry columns....kudos to you.

Michael Wilbon: Thank you. I appreciate that. --Mike

Arlington, VA: Mike, please bring my wife back a USA beret...she will love you for it!

Michael Wilbon: You know I'm trying to find a USA beret. It's very difficult. I was on Main Street in Park City last night and standing in 27 degree temps with snow falling was more than 150 people in line to get into the Roots store. It's the Canadian based company that designed the US team apparel for the winter games. It's exquisite, it's fashionable, it's hip. The US companies like Nike and Reebok ought to be embarassed that they got their butts kicked by Roots which I hear from people here is going to open a bunch of stores in the US soon. Tell your wife, if anyone winds up w/one of those berets to give her, she's got to sing their praises for a long time. --Mike

I want a beret from you Mike. That's my Olympic present. So, get out there and get in line. --Mary

Right away Mar. --Mike

Denver, CO: Mike -

I saw an early hockey game between Latvia and Slovakia and I loved it. It seemed to flow better than the typical 'dump and chase' games I have seen in the NHL. There was no clutching or grabbing (but I like your phrase 'organized mayhem' much better) and at the first sign of a potential fight the refs stepped in and more unbelievably the mostly European crowd hooted the combatants off the ice.

Was this a fluke and once the NHL stars show up for the medal round will the Olympics resemble the NHL? If not why can't the NHL adopt some of the Olympic rules? The games just seem so much better.

Thanks for the great work.

Mark

Michael Wilbon: No, it's not a fluke. Virtually every game is like what you saw except w/more elite level players. I LOVE Olympic hockey. It might be my favorite thing, other than track and field in summer or winter Olympics. We asked this about the rules for the last 2 Olympics. And the answer is the NHL doesn't want to. The NHL wants to embrace thuggery. It wants to employ these goons who fight. They are in a little clubby world and they want no part of dissent. I share every sentiment you expressed, but sadly people who prefer the brand of hockey you and I do have to get our fill by Sunday. --Mike

Torrance, California: Hi Michael,

There is way too much "clutter" on NBC's coverage. Where do you think this is going? Will it get better or worse next time?

Michael Wilbon: I have no idea about TV coverage. Remember I'm at the Games and the venues. I will spend 6 or 7 hours at the hockey arena today. And when I do watch some coverage from another venue, it's on a direct feed and no sound and nothing to suggest what network is broadcasting it. So, I have zero idea about Olympic broadcasts... I've been to the 8/9 Olympics (winter and summer) so the whole TV thing is lost on me. --Mike

Len Shapiro wrote a column about TV coverage of the Games. I'll post it at the end of the Chat. --Mary

Alexandria VA: Mike,
In reading your article on Aerial Sking it sounds incredible...but is it a sport?

Michael Wilbon: I don't know. Good question. Using my own defintion, I guess it can't be b/c it's judged. There is no other way to win, but w/judges scoring. --Mike

Bethesda, MD: Mike,
I noticed that you were at the aerial skiing competition yesterday. Do you consider this event as much of a joke as figure skating? Seems to me they're one in the same.

Michael Wilbon: No. I consider them completely separate. What these guys do on skis is just frightenly skilled and brave and reckless and dangerous. So, no I don't consider it the same. It relates to figure skating in no way whatsoever. I've seen both these events in person and they are day and night different. --Mike

Sterling,VA: How cool was the Women's Bobsled team that won yesterday? Now, that is what the Olympics are about.

Michael Wilbon: The Olympics are about a lot of things. They are about a lot of different, fascinating people, compelling stories, sacrifice, humanity, perserverance, dedication. I don't put the bobsledders any higher than many others who compete here. But it is a great story. And, when you pick up your paper tomorrow or you log on, you are going to find a TON of new great stories. That is why were are fascinated by the Olympics. --Mike

Washington, DC: How many African-Americans are participating in the Winter Olympics? What's your opinion on why more African Americans don't particiapte in winter sports?

Michael Wilbon: B/c African Americans don't live overwhelmingly where Winter sports take place. The places where winter sports are the most popular in America are NH, ME, MA and UT, and Oregon and Washington State, Minnesota, and if you add up all the black residents in those states you get a number smaller than the number of black people working on K Street, NW between 19th and 20th Streets a day. I haven't counted but I think there are about 8 American athletes of African American decent that are here. A number that frankly is higher than make sense on some levels. As people move to new areas and take on different lifestyles that are not traditional, you'll see more people doing things that are not stereotypic. There is a young Hispanic woman from Miami named Jennifer Rodriguez who is going for a medal in speedskating today. Don't ask me how she got into it. But, I want to read about her. The Post has someone there covering it now. --Mike

Fairfax: I've heard conflicting reports ... one that we had our first "black" Winter Olympics medal winner last night, and one that we had our first "African-American" Winter Olympics medal winner (as opposed to other countries, I assume). What's the true scoop? Have other countries succeeded in this area, or is an American the first?

Michael Wilbon: It's a discussion which I have no interest in taking part in. Let's not turn this into Jackie Robinson. I know that there other countries who have had people of African descent win medals. So whether they are African American or African French or African Canadian.... I just don't care. I just like seeing people from all over the world compete. I find it insane now when I hear on SportsCenter or reading newspaper that so and so is the first Latin American pitcher to win 150 games in the AL. I mean just stop w/this stuff. I'm only concerned w/people having a chance to participate on whatever level they want whether it's playing, coaching, writing about it, broadcasting it etc. --Mike

alexandria, va: mike -- have you been to curling yet? is it as weird (and really kind of cool) as it looks on TV? What's been the best venue so far. My guess would be solider hollow with the excellent finishes, but what do you think?

Michael Wilbon: I'm not going to curling again in my life. I went to curling in Nagano 4 years ago. I'm not saying there aren't things about it that aren't fascinating. They just don't fascinate me. And many venues have their charms. Short track skating is cool. The aerial skiing venue is charged w/energy. So, I've been to all the venues. This is my third winter Olympics. I've been to every venue imaginable. --Mike

Okay folks gotta go. We are taking tomorrow off. But come back Friday at 1:30 ET for another Special Olympic edition. Thanks for coming. --Mary

washingtonpost.com: Thank you for joining us today. Here is the link mentioned earlier in the Chat: A HREF="http: www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29804-2002Feb18.html ">Len Shapiro’s Column on TV coverage of The Games

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