Chinese netizens’ critique some “uncivilized” interviewing questions by Chinese reporters at the Olympics. Translated on the EastSouthWestNorth blog here:
[Uncivilized behavior] As a four-time Olympian, shooter Tan Zongliang has received extraordinary attention. Of course, everyone hopes that this 40-year-old man can have a good ending to his Olympic career. The outcome was that he received a bronze medal in the 50m pistol event (which was then promoted to a silver medal when a North Korean athlete was found to have taken banned substance). This should be a positive event, but the reporter asked: “You have tried hard for more than twenty years and you took part in four Olympics. But you only have one bronze medal to show. Do you think that you have let the motherland down?” Is this person a reporter or a hoodlum trying to pick a fight?
[Recommendation] The Olympic spirit is about participation and surpassing yourself. But some people prefer to use the gold medal to determine success/failure. It is one thing for ordinary people to think so, but not from a reporter who is supposed to guide public opinion. Praise should have been the first thing for an athlete who strove for twenty years. Under these circumstances, the opening remark should be something like: “Congratulations, Tan Zongliang. After receiving gold medals at the World Cup and Asian Games, you have finally received an Olympic medal to round out your dreams over more than twenty years.” This is not flattery, but it is a way of reducing the distance between you and your interviewee and this will make the ensuing discussion more relaxed.
[Uncivilized behavior] Yesterday, the female synchronized swimming duo Jiang Wenwen and Jiang Tingting set history by finishing fourth with a score of 48.250. Previously, the best Olympic result for Chinese swimmers was seventh place, so this was a remarkable achievement. But during the post-event interview, a female reporter asked: “Are you sorry that you did not win the bronze medal to comfort the earthquake victims in Sichuan?” This was unexpected, far-stretched and incomprehensible. This caused the duo to break into tears. The tearful reply of “We have no regrets” was a good answer, but this reporter probably cannot say the same about herself for asking this question.
[Recommendation] It is regretful not win the bronze medal, but finishing fourth is something to celebrate too. If you don’t like it, you should keep it to yourself. There is no need to bring it up at this moment, and it was uncalled for to bring in the Sichuan earthquake disaster. For the young duo, congratulations and praises (and not sarcastic remarks) will make them become better in the future.
