Back to last night, and more track and field. At least we're getting into more technical events (the relays and the heptathlon/decathlon). Tirico, back on the dock, then throws us to diving. I have to call out Cynthia Potter as the best analyst in the games. She knows every diver and detail, and predicts scores before they are posted. She was on 3 QISE teams, and won a bronze in 1976. When she's not on TV, Potter is a college diving coach.
Back to the track, and the only real coverage of a field event, with shot put (of course, the US was well represented). More track in late night, along with skateboarding (there's a reason I skip the XGames when I come across it--is it on every weekend?) Shaun White is brought in to wake people up.
An aside--Based on NBC's coverage, if you're a relative of a US athlete, I would up your life insurance. Cancer, paralysis, death--all are well represented.
On the Today Show, Suni Lee was forced to wait to reunite with her family until Savannah and Hoda were ready. Daytime included more track cycling. Once the events involves a motorized bike that acts as a"pace car" until they all get up to speed.
They wrapped up the afternoon with basketball, so it's time for QISE-related news:
CNN reports that QISE ratings are "in free fall". Broadcast numbers are down 45% from Rio. However, they have streamed over 3B minutes of coverage across their services.
Time reports that COVID cases are surging in Tokyo--over 5K new cases on Thursday.
NPR covered a new Tokyo QISE event--Bus Spotting. Photo hobbyists are camping out on street corners to snap shots of sightseeing buses, filled with journalists, athletes, and officials (there's no spectators, of course).
Prime Time started with Torico covering QISE champions returning home--athletes need to leave no more than 5 days after their event, per COVID protocols. So what are the closing ceremonies going to look like? Pretty sparse, I'm guessing. More skateboarding and diving.
More to come.