Elliott Friedman's a Jerk

Elliot Friedman is a jerk. I know a lot of people out there would think that Elliott Friedman is a fine journalist that asks the hard-hitting questions, I just think he’s a jerk. It’s minutes after one of our Olympians comes out of the pool, he has missed a medal by a tenth of a second, it’s potentially his last swim ever and Elliott is there with the hard hitting questions – “What could you have done differently to prepare for this race? Are you going to race in 2012 and how will you prepare differently? (insert – so you actually win – here). Our athletes have answered his questions with dignity and grace, as his questions force them to relive the losing race or end their enjoyment of the 2008 Olympics because he’s forcing them to think about starting the training for the next 4 years. I can’t believe nobody has punched him, well we are Canadian, we’re all too nice for that. I sure wish he stubs his toe though.

I think the hard-hitting, cutting questions have their time and place. Right after an athlete has had their dreams dashed and is in shock is not the time for them. Particularly, these athletes. I’m pretty sure that they don’t go through extensive media training. They probably get some input as to how to stand, what to say etc, but they’re not given the training that professional athletes get. Professional athletes are trained in the art of saying lots of words, but not actually answering the questions. Our athletes are caught like deer in the headlights, thinking that all questions must be answered fully and honestly. The poor buggers. Elliott Friedman eats them for lunch. Jerk.