Anyone who has worked in television news will tell you it's standard practise to get any interview to state their name and for very good reason. The person doing the interview is often not the one who pulls the "clip".

A producer in a dark room shuffling through hours of video of guys in orange suits would have no way of knowing this is the guy that just won a gold medal.

The other reason is to provide a pronounciation guide. Even a seemingly simple name like Smythe can have at least three different variations.

She wasn't being stupid but he was being arrogant.

So then why didn't she just say his name and where he was from herself into the mic before she started the interview? Do you think a reporter would do the same for Brad Pitt?? This isn't some guy she's chatting with on the street, asking him for an opinion on some radom subject.

Maybe a guy who just won an Olympic gold medal feels entitled to a little recognition as well, and rightfully so. His comment was a little harsh, but he's completely right.

Ah, Ken.. thanks for illustrating just the arrogant sense of entitlement that gives the media a bad name. "Proud Canadian" is bang on. It doesn't take a genius or "anyone who has worked in television" to know she could've said the guy's name herself into the camera beforehand for the editor/producer pulling the clip. And, as anyone whose covered an Olympics will tell you, you should know exactly who you're about to talk to , given the amount of mind-numbing media control at the events and in the interview alleys.

And remind me why an NBC producer would be pouring over "hours" of interviews with "guys in orange suits"? This guy won a gold medal in speed skating. Pretty sure you could count the number of guys in orange suits who do that on one hand.

And all that aside, it's also not necessarily about what she asked in the first place but how she asked it. This isn't some random man-on-the-street interview about why Norway's curling slacks should be considered a performance-enhancing drug, it's a gold medal Olympian interview about just winning a gold-freakin-medal. If anything it was the lack of respect that triggered the reaction.

So yeah, still stupid.

Why can the United States media not even remember what country they are from. The last time I looked America is a continent not a country. I guess stupid doesn't just apply to one reporter.

The reporter clearly states that she asked him to state his name for tape identification.

This story sounds like a bit of ignorance mixed with a bit of arrogance.

the only a*s in the clip here is this dutch d**che Sven. Ken coach and stone lotus have it right.

The U S should have a contest to find a name for their country because it is not america because that's a continent.And they like to call themselves AMERICANS when actually they are U S 'ers.Citizens of the continent are Americans.

At least they were both sitting and eye balling each other. Another great sport!

This shows the true American attitude for the respect of others, Much like that other so called American Stephenie Colbert . I cannot believe this #!#!! makes it on Olympic T.V. I personally turn off the Olympics when he comes on waste of air time. OH yah this was about the ignorance of the American reporter got carried away. Way to go Sven Kramer the american mentality will probably never change turn off that gutless Colbert and maybe the Olympics will keep him off the air.

This is typical US coverage of the Olympics. If it isn't an "American" athlete, they don't know anything about it. If you watch a US channel coverage vs Canadian coverage, you'd think the "Americans" were the only ones there. The Canadian coverage is always better, focusing on the sport, and on the athletes, regardless of what country they hail from. For an "American" reporter to not even give a gold medal winner the respect he deserves for winning his sport, she deserves not only the public humiliation she got, but a nomination for a "Razzy" award for stupidity. Good shot Sven!

Some people remember those who blow wind in inflatable latex gloves or place same over their heads, Colbert would like to be remembered as the ugly cousin of Jon Stewardsky, alien right ear et all. Leave this pitiful human alone. He's a legend only in his own mind.

What a dork that dutch kid was. Are all duth as retarded as that stupid noname kid was. Like come on u idiot kid. She clearly states its for tape identification and maybe 4 a show later on down the road. Live it up moron kid u won speed skating whoopty doo. You are not ever going to be golden again. This Kid could use a good old fashion beating to learn some manners. Not too mention the kid is very scary looking. Ugly as sin

and as for u beer are u on glue why are wasting time writing about BS such as this. Get a life loogan> You are just stirring up the shit. You knew people would react to this mouthy little kid and some how make about country vs country. Its not its just some puke kid. Whos parents should be embarrased of. Take your kid put him on your kneee and spank his ass.

If you ain't Dutch, you ain't much, fuck off bitch!

Hey Tired...YOU are an idiot if you think America is a continent. However, the NBC reporter is a moron...just like you. Demonstrating your ignorance isn't pretty.

I say good for him. She shouldn't have bothered that Dutch guy with those kinds of questions. If you want proper tape identification you should do it yourself and not bother someone with it who has just won the gold medal. Even with the best intentions this can easily be (mis)interpreted as the interviewer being ignorant on the most basic facts she ought to have known starting the interview.

And to this Jeff Smurphy character: "dork," "retarded," "stupid," "noname," "idiot kid" and a "moron" and "ugly as sin" are probably spot on descriptions of yourself. Ask around. Textbook case of Freudian Projection.

I think the NBC reporter was being incredibly rude.
There is no denying that there is good use for tape identification, but there were like a 1000 ways to ask him in a more friendly and respectfull way instead of TELLING him.

"Congratulations with your medal, Sven! Before we start could you please tell us your name and your country? We need it for tape-identification purposes and to make sure we pronounce your name right. Thank you."
There that was not hard. I could not believe my ears when she said "Then don't I don't care. Could you be any less respectfull?"

It is not Sven's job to know about tape identification. He is not the reporter but the speed-skater. It is the reporters job to know that it is not standard practice around the world and to explain it's purpose to the person she is interviewing.
And damn, be nice! At least dutch reporters do their homework and before they start an interview they will congratulate the athlete. It is not difficult to show a person some respect. Show it and you will get it back.

I think the skater is an ahole.

As if Americans cared about pronunciation. They call Angela Merkel "MURR-kl" instead of "MARE-kl", and she's a head of state.
And yes, his reply is a bit rude but perfectly adequate.

Mark, you are the one who is stupid, not realizing that North and South America are continents. I agree with this medalist, it is up to the journalist to tape identify, not him.

Whoever this Dutch guy is, he is not very bright. It costs nothing to be courteous - dumb question or not. One thing is for sure. If I were a sponsor who was looking to sponsor a Dutch Athlete this is the last guy I would choose. As for the Anti-Americanism on this thread, all I can say is these people lead desperately sad lives.

Are Canadians Speedskating minded???? Are the Dutch living in the dark ages or a box??? The Candians have been dominating Speedskating for years, Has anyone heard of Catriona Le may doan, Jeremy Wotherspoon AKA Repeated World Champions? I think these 2 people need to do alittle research before they lump us in with the Americans. Oh and who invented Short Track Speedskating????? Canada!!!

Kind funny but, I do agrre with Cathy ".. a bit of ignorance mixed with a bit of arrogance"

I think the kid is dead on, if your at an event and you can't or don't even know the contry or the name of the person in the event , you should not be a reporter, Americans tend to be arrogant at times, as well as their bias coverage of the Olympics in general there are other contries participating other then the US try to keep that in mind.

I think there should be a bit of ownership on both sides of this fence.
Yes, she was not doing her industry any favours with her prowess, and though I have to chuckle at the Netherlander's response, it was funny - but is certsainly was not professional or doing him nor his country any favours.

As for other posters here however, why the bashing of Americans? Dutch?Colbert?

1) There are both arrogant and/or dumb people in every country (though sure there may be more some places than others)
2) The Americas are continents, sure and USA is united states of america so they call themselves americans - don't get so benot out of shape over it - it is easier to say so it makes sense.
3) Stephen Colbert is funny (and yes, I am Canadian) - he certainly is not trying to offend canadians - his ego, attitude and style of humour are all part of the character. He is promoting and supporting quite a bit.
4) To poster Jeff Murphy - you are an emberasment to your peers.

if i was that reporter i would have smashed him in the head with that mic for saying that and told him to go back to fuckin dutchieland and never to return here again or i'll ram that medal up your ass!! you stupid faggot

Who's stupid now sucka!! which lane - 50/50 guess....gold medal on the line....even though you would think he'd have it down as that's all sven ever does....

Ignorance, arrogance...seems to me like everyone needs to pull the sticks out of their behinds. People make a big deal out of everything these days...

The last time I looked America is a continent not a country.