Another Olympic TV Annoyance: That Unmentionable "National Holiday" in Greece

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ParkCityRich

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Several times during yesterday’s Olympic coverage, NBC sports announcers mentioned that it was a “national holiday” in Greece. What they didn’t mention, of course, was that the holiday in question was a religious one, the Assumption of the Our Lady, and that this is a major national/religious holiday among the Greek Orthodox, on a par with Christmas.

Apparently, the American media feels that it is too politically incorrect to mention such a thing, at least when the religious holiday in question is a Christian one.

Was this omission of information accidental or intentional? That is certainly an open question…

ParkCityRich
 
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ParkCityRich:
Was this omission of information accidental or intentional? That is certainly an open question…
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Sure it was accidental…really…

as we say in Mexico:“to another dog with that bone”.

Cheers.
 
I heard the announcer, Bob Costas, say it was the Feast of the Assumption when he was explaining why the gymnastics hall might have been so empty.
 
I heard it mentioned several times that it was “Assumption Day”. I don’t think they ever explained it, but they did mention it was a religious holiday and that 96% of the population was Greek Orthodox. Usually the explanation was given for the low attendance. But I don’t recall which channel was stating it.
 
They did mention it on TV as being on the reasons the venues were not more fully populated. If it is the reason for such low attendance, then the citizens of Greece shame us with the example of their great faith.
 
I just realized, Costas is Greek, isn’t he?

I suspect some of the announcers didn’t really know what “assumption” meant, and if they asked and found out, were still confused enough that they didn’t feel mention of an arcane theological issue would be helpful while discussing weightlifting. I can sympathize with this. Those who were familiar with the meaning simply mentioned the name in passing, seeing no need to explain it - they simply “assumed” people knew the meaning.😃

Probably if it were St George’s Day, the name would’ve been mentioned much more.
 
I know, August 15th was the Feast of the Theotokos, which is the day we celebrate my daughter’s Name Day, (she was baptised in the Greek Orthodox Church). I thought it was funny that the new media wouldn’t name the holiday. If it were a Muslim or a pagan feast day, I bet they would have, and they would have dedicated “documentary” time to cover the history of the holiday as well.
 
I’m glad to hear that the religious aspect of the holiday was mentioned by one or more of the sportscasters or anchors. It wasn’t mentioned each and every time (hence my original post), but then again I wouldn’t expect it to. I’m pleasantly surprised it was referenced at all.

As such, I respectfully retract my original post!

ParkCityRich
 
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Apologia100:
If it were a Muslim or a pagan feast day, I bet they would have, and they would have dedicated “documentary” time to cover the history of the holiday as well.
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Sadly, I expect you’re right.
 
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