Sacto CBS affiliate wins gold for most asinine coverage of worlds

With close to 4,900 entrants from 90-plus countries, Sacramento worlds has thousands of compelling stories. So what does the morning CBS-TV show cover the meet? It stages a relay race of guys carrying life-sized cutouts of Kate and William circling the track at 7:45 a.m. Saturday. With hurdles in the background, LOC spokesman Bob Burns bravely ignores the stunt while Ashley Williams asks rudimentary questions. Sunday night, on the rest day, KRON-TV Sacramento interviewed Phil Raschker and several other Americans attending the Team USA party at the local Buca di Beppo. (She says she needs two more golds to claim 75 world titles in her career.) Earlier, Channel 10 News shared video of Tuesday’s opening ceremonies (a bore, according to some attendees). And KCRA-TV reported on some foreign athletes complaining about traffic problems. Meanwhile, the Sacramento Bee has done little reporting on worlds, beyond a drug-testing story and one on Zola Budd’s race in at cross country. Pity. We deserve better.

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July 10, 2011

14 Responses

  1. Rob D'Avellar - July 11, 2011

    After facilitating a story on Joy Upshaw in the SF Chronicle several months ago, I tried to use some pretty heavy hitter contacts to interest the Sacramento Bee in an advance story on Worlds. No interest whatsoever.

    A real missed opportunity since Sacramento rarely hosts international events of the calibre of the Worlds.

  2. Don Young - July 11, 2011

    If you are a media professional and you miss covering Olga K or a 91 year old decathlete in your backyard……?

  3. Art Healy - July 11, 2011

    Living within the borders of the Sac TV market, unfortunately this is par for the course. Not at all reflective of the passion and atmosphere I saw down at Hornet Stadium. With such an experienced core of track/field and running organizers, and a knowledgable group of track fans in the area from the many great meets over the years, this is even more embarrassing.

    Now, with that said- GO SID HOWARD!

  4. Mellow Johnny - July 11, 2011

    Speaking of coverage of masters track, I’ve heard nothing about Masters Nats, obviously due to Worlds going on. Saw that entries are officially closed. Anyone know what kind of turnout we’re looking at in Berea?

  5. David Elderfield - July 11, 2011

    I don’t suppose the Royal Couple will bother turning up on Saturday at 8 in the morning to watch the start of the 400m finals! Not sure many others will be there either. After years of sensible scheduling why have the organizers mucked around with an established timetable and spoilt, for spectators and competitors alike, one of the best events in the meet. Not great to travel round the world and spend three or four thousand dollars to run in an empty stadium at 8 in the morning. Can do that at home for nothing. Hope it doesn’t happen in two years time.

  6. MN - July 11, 2011

    I saw this broadcast while in my hotel room and thought it really dumb. A great opportunity wasted – they could have highlighted the many events going on, the various locations, the fact entry for spectaors was/is free.

  7. Karl Hawke - July 11, 2011

    Does anyone know when the hourly schedule for Outdoor Nationals in Ohio will be posted? So far, just the daily schedule is posted.

  8. Tom Phillips - July 12, 2011

    David E. Good to hear your voice. Are you coming out here for the 400 and relays? Be good to see you.

  9. Tom Phillips - July 12, 2011

    There was a photographer from the Bee at the main stadium this morning (Tuesday). He seemed to be doing an ok job. Hope his editor agrees.

  10. Mike Hogan - July 12, 2011

    Ken, this is no different than the B.S. you post about someone’s personal life that has nothing to do with Masters Track.

  11. Amanda Scotti - July 12, 2011

    Being from the Sacramento area, I have to agree with Art Healy… the coverage is embarrassingly bad. Unfortunately, this is how it is with our local sad excuse for media. Sooo sorry!

  12. Art Healy - July 13, 2011

    Yup, its unfortunate that decisions on how to cover large and inspiring international events like this are made by 25 year old weekend TV producers. With dozens of inspiring stories at their disposal, what a wasted opportunity.

  13. Rob D'Avellar - July 13, 2011

    Art, you are right on the money. It is AGEISM, pure and simple.

  14. Jerry Bookin-Weiner - July 13, 2011

    To the questions about Masters Nationals in Berea, OH in two weeks. I am told the total number of registrants is 1030, one of the larger turnouts. According to USATF Masters Committee policy the final time schedule should be posted 2 weeks after the deadline for late entries, which was this past weekend. My sources tell me that about 80% of all entries came in either in the final two days of the “on-time” entry period or during the late entry period. Without those numbers a schedule cannot be completed. The fact that most of the Games Committee, which is responsible for the schedule and conduct of the meet is in Sacramento must be complicating the process this year.

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