KEY POINTS:
The Olympics just get tough. Not for the competitors. It's been tough for them since before the Opening.
It's TVNZ executives turn. They are hearing someone lighting on the blowtorch and asking directions to their studio.
It's because the New Zealand team, and the coverage, is tracking along the Elisabeth Kubler-Ross steps for people preparing for death. There is denial, laughing at talk New Zealand wins nothing. There is anger, as this becomes possible. Finally, comes dull acceptance.
The needle hovers at anger, slipping towards acceptance. Our mens hockey team learned flogging the ball up the field is not the way professionals run down a clock. That would be keep possession and take the point for a draw. At least one young man now knows, and will carry to his grave, the knowledge that fifteen seconds is plenty of time to get the ball downfield and doom you.
The women soccer players found out letting an opponent loose at the near post whilst protecting a 2-1 win isn't good. Ditto the men's soccer team who didn't challenge the Chinese heading in the equalising goal two minutes out from the whistle.
Yogi Berra, the great baseball manager, had this covered with his immortal, 'It ain't over till its over.' For those teams it's over now, as it is for the equestrians, and the kayaker.
The rowers spent yesterday letting it be known they might not be the shoo-ins we'd been sold. One of the yachties rocked into second, otherwise they luffed along at the front end of the peleton, or whatever yachting calls the pack chasing the leaders.
This is where the blowtorch part kicks in. Television lives off advertising. In the Olympics this tends to require good news and warm feelings. Seeing the teams they've backed with serious money being creamed can cause iciness at the boardroom table.
Thawing this demands the last drops of hope must be squeezed from the Games. Cue relentless optimism from the front people and the commentators.
As more and more of our folks slide out of the frame this will become more and more stressful. It won't be fun for them. Sadly, it might turn out to be extremely entertaining, in a mildly sadistic way, as we watch our athletes searching for icebergs to hit.
Indeed, it might all work out well.
Don't forget disaster movies are reliable crowd pullers.
Denis Edwards
Pictured above: New Zealand Black Sticks Olympic hockey player Phillip Burrows can not believe the result after his side lost 1-0 to Spain in the last seconds of the match. Photo / Kenny Rodger
