Fantastic! This is the literally the best meta-analysis of anything ever created! (Yes, I know I am using treacle-speak--which requires misusing "literally.") I have disliked the Olympics for at least 20 years because of all the inspirational stories. Just show the d*mn games! Every single person at the Olympics has an inspirational story; and, by God, NBC will make sure we know about it--ad nauseum. One theory is that the treacle make sports broadcasts more appealing to women thus increasing the TV ratings; I express no opinion on that theory.

Treacle has infected every other sport as well. "LeBron James's dog's previous owner's daughter's friend had cancer!" If you try to avoid the treacle by attending the games in person, you get bombast instead. Everyone uses the "LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE" style in arenas now.

All the athletes and all the facilities may be better these days, but everything else is worse.

Well, if the inspirational stories are to appeal to women, I say no thanks. I'm a girlie-girl, dress wearing, manicure getting, man loving, pink wearing, straight woman and I love watching sports. And I hate these lame stories. The athletes and their skills are awe inspriring. We get it. You know how? By gosh, BECAUSE THEY ARE AT THE OLYMPICS. I agree, just show us the sports. A short profile on the whole team or whatever, OK. But, please don't make us sit through the entire life story of a person and why we should be inspired by him or her because he or she goes to practice/train for two hours at something they love before and after school/work. For two hours before I go to work, I'm taking care of disabled relatives. What a luxury it would be to go swim or run instead. Or, play ping pong.

Ohhhhhh my God, I didn't know that LeBron James's dog's previous owner's daughter's friend had cancer!! Where can i find out more bout this?? Oh the poor guy, such adversity to overcome, what an inspiration!!

*Quietly sheds a tear*