Watching the Olympics, or at least trying to watch, has brought about some conclusions. Some are about the coverage by NBC and their affiliates and some about the athletes.

First as I read about the ratings, or lack thereof, for NBC, I realize that they just don’t get it. Remember that, “They just don’t get it.” It applies to some of the athletes as well.

Understand that there have been three channels providing coverage, NBC, USA and CNBC, all under the direction of NBC. NBC has been reserved for prime time and from what I have read ratings are in the dumpster. It makes sense.

What we have seen was a collection of highlights. Instead of showing the entire Alpine race, when it was actually happening, we saw curling live. For most skiers, curling has all the appeal of watching snow melt.

I will admit that watching the ending is interesting, but if I could have watched the men’s downhill live it would have caught my attention. Instead, I was forced to watch the ski races after I knew the results. I could have covered my eyes and ears and waited for NBC’s evening coverage, but I chose to go on line in mid-day when I knew the results would be in and get them immediately. Knowing the results I didn’t have to watch NBC. I suspect I had a lot of company, hence the ratings in the tank.

Maybe some one of these years, the network that wins the contract for Olympic broadcast will figure out that those of us with a true interest in the games want live broadcasts. If they do that the network might actually make money, because they will have an audience. Fortunately, I spent part of these games at Smugglers’ Notch in Northern Vermont, where I could get a Canadian channel and part in Quebec City where I had a choice of three channels, NBC and Canadian in French or English. The Canadian coverage was far superior. As I said, NBC just doesn’t get it.

Then there are the athletes. Seth Wescott gets it. Bode Miller doesn’t get it. Apparently Lindsey Jacobellis doesn’t get it either. What don’t they get? It’s this. For every athlete who gets to represent his or her country in the Olympics, there are thousands who had the dream, but didn’t make it.

Think about this. The United States Ski Association is made up of thousands of members, all of whom send in annual contributions. They, along with corporate sponsors, foot the bills for these athletes. . Why would a company pay someone to say, “It’s not that important to me?”

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.