Winter Olympics in Nigeria

Back in the Netherlands, I always watch a lot of speed skating, especially events like the Olympics. Of course, it is a bit more difficult here. Nigeria is not exactly the country of winter sports. Fortunately, there is a South African sports channel which is broadcasting a lot of Olympic sports. I don’t have a TV, but my friends have. So, I saw Sven Kramer winning his gold medal on the five kilometre ice skating.

Watching skating on a South African TV channel was an interesting experience. Like Nigeria, also South Africa is not really well known for winter sports. So, they explain all sports. What is nice in sports like freestyle skiing or curling. But, what do you explain about ice skating?

Well, quite lot! For example, you have to explain that all competitors have to skate the same distance and that the one who does this in the shortest time, is the winner. Or, you explain that they have to change lanes every lap (yes Kramer as well!). Or, you tell your audience (at least five times) that two skaters compete at the same time. So, the person in the most inner lane is only warming up, it is not the third competitor so don’t look at him. That is also why that lane has a different colour.

Also, the concept of a ‘clap skate’ (no joke) was explained. And of course we saw a short summary of the Vancouver Olympics including the ten kilometres where ‘Sven Kremer’ did not change lanes, and the 1500 metres where ‘Mark Tietert’ won the gold medal.

What I really liked was the enthusiasm of the reporter. In the Netherlands, our reporters get very enthusiast when a Dutch is skating, or when someone is performing very well. If a Polish skater is finishing in a time of 6.26 Dutch reporters might say this is very good for him, but they will not say it is so great and he is so quick and doing so fantastic. Here they do… What is fun, it gives you the feeling he did so great and might win a gold medal. Of course, the winner was 16 seconds faster. But it feels like everyone has a similar chance to win.

I think my Nigerian colleagues will tell me I am crazy when I tell them I watched ice skating this weekend. But I am very happy that I can still keep up with a few things from my own culture. And watching skating is definitely one of the nice and harmless Dutch traditions I like to keep!

 

(I am afraid I will not be able to watch much more. So every SMS or what’s app with live updates is welcome!)