18.02 NBC Slammed for Tearful Bode Miller Interview in Sochi

WASHINGTON, February 18 (RIA Novosti) – US Olympic broadcaster NBC has come under fire over an interview that left American skier and Sochi bronze medalist Bode Miller doubled-over in tears after the network’s reporter posed questions about his deceased brother, though Miller rushed to the reporter’s defense Monday.

After Miller’s third-place finish in the Super G on Sunday, NBC reporter Christin Cooper asked the 36-year-old skier about the death of his brother Chelly, who passed away after a seizure in 2012 at the age of 29.

Miller was unable to continue the interview after two questions from Cooper about his brother, sparking outrage among US fans and media critics who accused the reporter of badgering the skier during an intensely emotional moment in an interview some “tactless,” “tasteless” and “horrible.”

“Emotion is a real and honest element of athletic triumph and defeat. And you don’t want a network to tell its journalists to stick to soft questions when interviewing the winners. But in this instance, Cooper and NBC lacked the sensitivity to know when enough was enough,” New York Times sports and television columnist Richard Sandomir wrote Monday.

With criticism of the network mounting, Miller took to Twitter and went on television on Monday to defend Cooper, a women’s alpine skiing silver medalist at the 1984 Winter Games in Sarajevo, saying he appreciated the support but that he does not blame the NBC reporter.

“I’ve known Christin for a long time,” Miller told NBC’s the Today Show. “She’s a sweetheart. I don’t think she knew what my reaction was going to be. By the time she realized it, it was too late. I don’t blame her at all. I feel bad for her taking the heat for that. ... I don’t think there was any harm intended.”

My emotions were very raw, she asked the questions that every interviewer would have, pushing is part of it, she wasnt trying to cause pain.

I appreciate everyone sticking up for me. Please be gentle w christin cooper, it was crazy emotional and not all her fault. #heatofthemoment

NBC said defending the interview in a statement on Monday, saying the network’s intent “was to convey the emotion that Bode Miller was feeling after winning his bronze medal” and noting that the skier himself had defended Cooper.

“We understand how some viewers thought the line of questioning went too far, but it was our judgment that his answers were a necessary part of the story,” the network said. “We’re gratified that Bode has been publicly supportive of Christin Cooper and the overall interview.”

With his bronze medal, Miller became the oldest alpine skiing medalist in the history of the Winter Olympics.