I understand why NBC tape delays most events at the Olympics and shows them during primetime. It's because they care more about ratings that the quality of their programming. What I don't understand is why they can't show events live and then repeat them on tape delay from 8-11 (or 7-10 central and mountain) for the TV dinner crowd.

Part of the great magic of sports is the drama created when the events you are watching are happening simultaneously and you don't know the outcome. That's the key. Not knowing what is going to happen creates tension that tape delay diffuses.

Now I can try all I want to avoid the news and thus hearing the results, but it's next to impossible. I try not to listen to the news. I don't surf the web. I listen to music on the radio. I train my eyes above the scroll on ESPN or CNN or any channel that doesn't care if they blow the mystery of the outcome. But so far I've had trouble, especially with swimming.

I don't know if NBC will ever figure it out so I'll just have to do my best to continue to avoid the results of the tape delayed events and catch as much of the live stuff as they are willing to throw out there.