Sochi Olympics: Did NBC reporter Christin Cooper go to far with Bode Miller questions?

Typically when you watch coverage of the Olympics, the focus is just about where it should be: On the athletes. The stories here are so emotional to begin with that there is no real need for frills or theatrics. Heck, the biggest story in terns of headlines so far during the Sochi Games has been Bob Costas being unable to do some of his duties due to an infection.

However, some of that changed on Sunday night courtesy of an interview with Christin Cooper and skier Bode Miller for team USA, who was seen doubled over crying after being pressed repeatedly over questions about his late brother. To be fair, Miller was the first person to bring up his brother, but following that came three straight questions on the subject.

At the time, the moment seemed exceptionally cruel; not just for Cooper, but for the NBC cameramen and the producers who seemed to be making the most out of a moment where they could see a grown man and an Olympic hero get that emotional on live TV. However, after the fact Cooper found herself a surprising ally: Bode himself. He started it off by posting a series of messages on his Twitter account:

I appreciate everyone sticking up for me. Please be gentle w christin cooper, it was crazy emotional and not all her fault. #heatofthemoment … My emotions were very raw, she asked the questions that every interviewer would have, pushing is part of it, she wasnt trying to cause pain.”

Miller then went on later to tell Matt Lauer that he really doesn’t believe that Cooper meant any harm at all with some of the questions that she asked, and she probably realized that she may have went a little too far after the fact:

“I have known Christin a long time, and she’s a sweetheart of a person. I know she didn’t mean to push. I don’t think she really anticipated what my reaction was going to be, and I think by the time she realized it, it was too late … I don’t blame her at all.”

What do you think of the interview style, and the way Bode reacted to it? Share below, and sign up now to get more updates via our CarterMatt Newsletter.

Photo: NBC