Sisi Chan

Athlete Stories Can Go Untold Due to Fewer Journos

Canadian Curling Coach Reminiscing the Past: Scott Pfeifer, a Canadian curling coach, laments the days when reportage brought liveliness to the sport. He reminisces about the way a larger section of reporters enlivened big bonspiels, sparking rivals and hyping the game.

Decline in Media Presence: There’s a noticeable decline in the visibility of Canadian media at curling rink or Winter Games. The shrinkage can be attributed to constricting newsroom budgets and the enveloping requirement of remote coverage amid the ongoing pandemic.

Impact on Amateur Athletes: The decreasing number of on-site journalists has had a significant repercussion – amateur athletes are left in the cold. The odds are stacked against lesser-known athletes, with fewer opportunities for their stories to see the light of day.

As per statistics on journalists covering the Winter Games, the number of Canadian journalists has increased slightly from the previous edition in Beijing.

Over time, a relative balance has formed between the reporter-to-athlete ratio, leading to a more open space and less competition. It is also common for some outlets to cover the Games from the comfort of their offices, remotely.

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Importance of On-site Coverage: Brennan emphasizes the importance of on-site coverage. Authenticity and acuity, two hallmarks of journalism, can be hard to maintain if journalists are not personally present at the scene of action.

Athletes, however, are not letting an opportunity go wasted. The Canadian Secretary of Sport notes a surge in athletes using social media platforms to narrate their stories, shaping their own narrative. This trend sheds light on a shifting dynamic in sports reporting.

Unheard Athlete Stories: But the unforgiving truth remains – great stories at the Games stay untold due to shrinking means of delivery.

Brennan longs for a return to more in-person coverage. A balanced perspective, he believes, would be possible only through direct experience of the game and rapport with the players.