TV promos not as easy as they look

By RACHEL BLOUNT, Star Tribune

Last update: August 8, 2008 - 7:00 AM

The days before the Olympics are crammed with press conferences, with athletes being trotted through the Main Press Center in a constant parade to preview their competitions. Thursday's menu included some funny moments and some poignant ones.

• Wrestler Ali Bernard of New Ulm worked without a script, and it showed. Eric Perkins of KARE-11 TV approached her after the U.S. women wrestlers held their interview session and asked her to speak a quick couple of lines: "This is Ali Bernard from New Ulm. Watch me grapple for gold on KARE-11.''

First, Bernard said "Channel 11''; correct, but not what the station wanted in a promo. Then she got tongue-tied. After six takes -- and a fist bump from Perk -- she finally got it. When you see that on the air, remember how hard Bernard worked for it.

• The last U.S. press conference of the day was called hastily, with only a few minutes' notice. Morgan Hamm had withdrawn from the men's gymnastics team because of an ankle injury, and he and his coaches were going to make a statement and answer questions.

All of Hamm's teammates accompanied him onto the enormous stage in Press Conference Room 1. They explained that they ached for him and wanted to stand with him in support as he announced his decision to step aside. Hamm spoke in a hushed voice; this would be the end of his career, he said, and it had ended in a way he didn't expect. His coaches lauded his selflessness in bowing out so a healthier teammate could take his place. "It's been a long, bumpy road for these guys,'' said Miles Avery, coach of Morgan and twin brother Paul, who already had withdrawn from the U.S. team when his broken hand did not heal in time for the Olympics. "Emotionally, for me, it's been a struggle. They fought through it all to give everything they had. My heart goes out to Paul and Morgan.''

Both brothers will be in Beijing to cheer for their teammates, another testament to their team spirit and love for their sport.

Recent Olympics stories

U stadium will hold soccer if Chicago wins Olympic bid - August 8, 2008

U stadium will hold soccer if Chicago wins Olympic bid - TCF Bank Stadium would be one of six venues around the United States for Olympic soccer in 2016. More