Gold-medal bobsledder Steve Holcomb's teleconference hits a wall

Photo by John Kristoff

During our time in Vancouver, we've attended a lot of press conferences. But when an event takes place in Whistler, we have to get quotes from the athletes via teleconference.

Saturday night Joe and I listened to one with Steve Holcomb, driver of the Team USA's gold medal-winning four-man bobsled team. To preface this, I should stress that it's not our job to ask questions but rather listen to other members of the media ask their questions of the athletes.

This particular teleconference was simultaneously eventful and uneventful. Joe and I are in the USOC office in the MPC in downtown Vancouver. Holcomb is speaking from a green room in Whistler, shortly before the medal ceremony.

Cast of characters
(In order of appearance)
Kevin, Teleconference operator guy
Amanda Bird, Team USA press officer for bobsled and skeleton
Steve Holcomb, driver of Team USA 1 a.k.a. "Night Train"
Joe and John, USOC lackeys
Lindsay Hogan, USOC managing victory coordinator

Some things to note as you listen. For best listening experience, use headphones.

• From :35-1:00...Holcomb's uber-excitement that caused us to turn down the speakerphone volume so as not to disturb the entire office
• 1:20-1:32...dead air
• 1:35-1:42...dead air
• 1:44...Holcomb's swift response of "Sweet!" after Kevin says there are no questions in the queue
• 1:57...more dead air. But listen closely to Holcomb saying "It's the silver bullet"--clearly a Coors Light reference--and "We should probably drink MGD"
• 2:18...Bird comes in, asking "Kevin, are you still there?" She gets no response
  
• 2:30...Bird clearly hanging up
  
• 2:33...Joe, Lindsay and John discuss what just happened
• 2:48...Kevin mercifully concludes the teleconference
  

Awkward Steve Holcomb teleconference audio.WMA

Joe O'Donnell contributed to this post.