“For two weeks, the world came together. It’s been exciting – it’s been uplifting – it’s been the Olympics.” – Cris Collinsworth
“Sochi was definitely a different kind of Winter Olympics. People were swimming in the Black Sea…almost something out of southern California.” – Al Michaels
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Stamford, Conn. – February 23, 2014 – Following are highlights of Sunday’s coverage of the XXII Olympic Winter Games.
Excerpts from NBC’s primetime coverage of the Closing Ceremony:
Al Michaels opening NBC’s coverage of the Closing Ceremony: “Sochi was definitely a different kind of Winter Olympics. We had 60-degree days…you could look through palm trees and see snow-capped mountains. People were swimming in the Black Sea…almost something out of southern California.”
Michaels introducing Closing Ceremony co-host & Sunday Night Football analyst Cris Collinsworth: “As long as we’ve been waiting all day for Sunday night, my football partner Cris Collinsworth is here to join me for the Closing Ceremony. We’re not in Green Bay anymore, Toto.”
Collinsworth on the Sochi Games: “It’s always an interesting mix of sports and politics. Or two weeks, the world came together. It’s been exciting – it’s been uplifting – it’s been the Olympics.”
Michaels on the Sochi Games: “The drumbeat leading into these Olympic Games for months was all about safety and security. Then 18 days ago, an Olympics broke out.”
Vladimir Pozner on the message of the Sochi Games’ Closing Ceremony: “The theme of this evening is, ‘Reflections of Russia.’ What I think you’re going to see is an attempt to show you how the Russians see themselves, but also how they would like you to see them.”
Collinsworth on the Olympic Games’ impact: “Every time I leave an Olympics, I have the same feeling – that the world has shrunk a little bit.”
Michaels closing NBC’s telecast of the Closing Games: “It’s never perfect, but the memories always end up being about what took place on the ice and on the snow, about the athletes who won and lost, about the stories you’re going to remember for a long time.”
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Excerpts from Bob Costas’ conversation with Nancy Kerrigan following NBC’s airing of Nancy & Tonya, a documentary examining the events that surrounded the ladies’ figure skating competition at the 1994 Olympic Winter Games.
Nancy Kerrigan to Bob Costas following Nancy & Tonya on handling the attention following the attack: “When I was young, I was painfully shy…it was very new to me to be such a center of attention. I didn’t mind the attention on the ice, I had trained for that, but off the ice I didn’t really need any of that.”
Kerrigan to Costas on whether or not she believes Harding was involved in plotting attack: “I don’t know. It’s not my place to believe it or not believe it. Time has moved on, it’s time for all involved to be able to live happy, peaceful lives. It doesn’t matter at this point. That’s all long in the past…it doesn’t matter. Whether she did or didn’t – it doesn’t matter.”
Kerrigan to Costas on watching Nancy & Tonya and reflecting on what happened: “It’s surreal…it’s so mixed, because I remember exactly how it felt to be attacked, that pain…I remember it, but at the same time I look at it, and think it’s almost somebody else’s life…it’s hard to believe it even happened.”
Kerrigan to Costas on if she has closure following the incident: “I already have it. My life is so different even than it was back then. I have three children, [I am] still working and every now and then performing and skating…I’m so fortunate to have had good people around me.”
Kerrigan to Costas on sympathy for Harding: “I felt for Tonya…she’s always had it tough. [My family] didn’t have money, but at least we had stability. I felt for her…it had to have been really difficult, training in a mall…it was just a lot for anybody to take…it’s nice to see her looking happy with her family.”
Kerrigan to Costas on her thoughts on Harding’s frustration: “I can’t speak for her, but I think at this point she must feel like she’s on the defensive all the time, and that’s hard for anybody to deal with…I’m sure she wants to stop taking about this too, and move on with her life…who can blame her? People need that opportunity to move forward and move past things.”
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Excerpts from NBC’s daytime coverage of the four-man bobsled and 50km free in cross-country:
John Morgan on Canadian bobsled team, which returned to the track Sunday after a crash on Saturday: “Considering they had 400 meters on their heads, and how banged up they are – there’s bruises, there’s ice burns on their shoulders – to come back out here and do this…they have a strong will.”
Al Trautwig on the Russian sweep in the 50km free in cross-country : “Could it be the dream of a Russian sweep? Yes it is! Gold – silver – bronze for the home team, and that is how cross-country ends in Sochi!”
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