NBC's BOB COSTAS DEMONSTRATES POOR SPORTSMANSHIP

Tonight, while plodding along on the treadmill at my gym and watching the lead into tonight's NBC coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics I was insulted at comments (alleged) sportscaster Bob Costas made regarding Usain Bolts win of the 100m race.

Below is a copy of an email sent to NBC headquarters:

TO: THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING CORPORATION (NBC)

Sirs,

I am appalled at the comments Mr. Costas made during the opening segment of tonight's coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics (7 pm CDT 8/18/08). His remarks regarding Usain Bolt's actions upon winning the 100m race were un-called for, and demonstrates his ignorance and poor sportsmanship. His consistent use of the word 'freak' to describe Mr. Bolt's performance WAS in fact (contrary to his attempt to dismiss) seen as derogatory, and a poorly disguised jab at a Jamaican sportsman during his best performance.

Mr. Bolt was celebrating in his cultural way his joy on winning a gold medal for his country. His actions are akin to those seen on a daily basis by his compatriots in Jamaica who gesticulate in similar fashion on personal achievements. More importantly what Mr. Bolt did in no way impeded the results of the other runners, and was not a distraction nor obstacle to the other athletes participating. Neither was it outside of known sports decorum.

Mr. Costas is demonstrating his disappointment and poor sportsmanship that an "all-important-American" did NOT win the coveted spot of athletics.

Just to clarify: Jamaica is number one in the world per capita with regards to sprinting; please advise Mr. Costas to familiarize himself with the above fact and move on.

Any further disparaging remarks by Mr. Costas will be seen as an attack on the character and sportsmanship of the Jamaican people. Also, he seems to be attempting the start of a campaign to smear a victory treasured by Jamaicans - and can be interpreted as borderline bigotry.

I trust you shall govern yourselves accordingly.

I am,

(name and address)

P.S. Pardon my lack of use of the phrases 'Yah, mon!" and "No problem mon!!"; contrary to popular ignorance - Jamaicans do not stereotypically speak in this manner.