NBC Olympics President Confronts Questions About Media Pressure on Athletes
In a revealing interview with Sportico published on Wednesday, NBC Olympics president Gary Zenkel tackled the difficult question of whether the network's extensive promotion of certain Winter Olympic athletes contributes to poor competitive results. The discussion comes amid high-profile struggles by heavily favored American figure skaters during recent Games.
The Pressure of Olympic Spotlight
"I think the Olympics places an enormous amount of pressure," Zenkel acknowledged when asked about the intense scrutiny athletes face. "Does NBC exacerbate that pressure up to the point where they're unable to perform at their true potential? I don't know. The formula hasn't changed in decades."
The executive pointed to the example of 23-time gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps, who "participated in all the stuff ... at least the version of that that existed in 2000 through the end of his journey. So I'm going to say I don't think so."
Recent Examples of Struggle Under the Spotlight
The conversation gained particular relevance following the on-camera difficulties experienced by American figure skater Ilia Malinin, who unraveled during his free skate performance. The 21-year-old skater, who had been featured prominently in NBC's promotional packages leading up to and during the Games, later revealed that media pressure had significantly weighed on him.
Malinin, who did help the American team secure gold in the team event, issued concerning messages hinting at mental health challenges following his individual performance. Teammate Amber Glenn also faced difficulties in her short program, though to a lesser extent than Malinin.
Voluntary Participation and Network Responsibility
Zenkel emphasized that athlete appearances in NBC's promotional content are "entirely voluntary" when asked about the network's responsibility toward competitors. "Was there a discussion about, 'Is this too much for you?' Because it puts too much press on him?" the executive questioned. "Not to my knowledge, no."
The NBC president elaborated on the unique nature of Olympic pressure, stating, "I think the pressure of being on that stage and having one opportunity, and then you wait four years, or maybe you never get back, is why it's such an extraordinary event. It's why we, as mortals, are so drawn to it. They're the best in the world. They're the best in the world in that moment. Or they can be, or they have the potential to be."
The discussion highlights the ongoing tension between media promotion of Olympic athletes and the psychological burden such attention can create, particularly when competitors face unexpected difficulties under the global spotlight of the Winter Games.
