Monday, February 25, 2002

Remote Control

By ROB BRODIE -- Ottawa Sun
 It will long be remembered as the Winter Olympics that turned two small-town Canadians into worldwide celebrities.

 When Jamie Sale, David Pelletier, Jay Leno and a French judge became synonymous for a week.

 But years from now, when Canadians search their memories for the images that stuck with them the most from the Salt Lake Games in 2002, it will immediately come back to the thing that seems to unite this country more than any other.

 Yesterday, a nation stood still for two hours as Canada's newest sporting heroes erased a half-century of yearning for Olympic gold in men's hockey.

 There has been nothing like it since the historic Summit Series of 1972, and when the final numbers are counted, Canada-USA at the E Center yesterday should be the most-watched television event in Canadian history.

 Over the past 16 days, we watched, sometimes with anger and frustration, at other moments with pure joy and pride. Always, though, with amazement at the spectacle unfolding before us.

 Canadians are more fortunate than most. The CBC continues to reset the bar a little higher with each Olympic Games, and it has done so once more in Salt Lake City.

 With partner TSN, the public broadcaster gave Canadian viewers the best and most comprehensive Winter Olympics coverage it has ever seen. Gold-medal coverage.

 Time now, as has become tradition, to hand out our own gold, silver and bronze medals for the best TV performers of the Games. As always, only those we spent a considerable amount of time viewing are eligible. Drum roll, please:

 GOLD: Brian Williams, CBC prime time host -- The most critical host's role remains in the best of hands. The star of Salt Lake; Chris Cuthbert, Barbara Underhill and Paul Martini, figure skating -- If only certain judges were as honest as this trio about what they see on the ice; Ron MacLean, CBC daytime host -- Tough when he needed to be during the figure skating scandal; Vic Rauter, freestyle skiing -- Bumps and jumps rocked in Salt Lake, and so did the guy who brought the thrill of it all home; John Davidson, NBC, hockey -- There's a reason why he's always at the Olympics, no matter which U.S. network is airing it; Steve Armitage, speed skating -- Golden moments got golden race calls.

 SILVER: Kerrin Lee-Gartner, alpine skiing -- Solid analysis and insight you'd expect from an Olympic champ; Terry Leibel, CBC late-night host -- Handled some of the key post-event interviews in Salt Lake, in solid fashion; Don Wittman, Joan McCusker and Mike Harris, curling -- Trio made most of '98 experiences; Brenda Irving, CBC -- Play-by-play or reporting, she handled it all smoothly and strongly; Harry Neale, hockey -- Sharp wit and analysis to match.

 BRONZE: Mark Connolly, luge/bobsleigh/skeleton/ski jumping -- This kind of versatility deserves its reward; Scott Russell, Jack Sasseville, cross-country skiing -- Added right words to a super venue; Sandra Bezic, Tracy Wilson, NBC, figure skating -- The peacock network did well by hiring them; Daren Millard/Craig McEwen, Sportsnet -- Keeping up on the news without rightsholder access never an easy chore.

 TODAY'S BEST BET: We'll do this all again in Athens in 2004.

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2002 Games News Coverage