AmericaBlog has been keeping a close eye on the hiring of former professional figure skater Johnny Weir by NBC Sports to be a commentator during the upcoming, and very contentious, 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.
The site reported that Weir's bio at Premiere Speakers Bureau included work with the Russian government, the consulate, specifically. That's a giant conflict of interest. In response to the reporting Weir tweeted that he was shocked, shocked!
But aha! John Aravois had taken a screen grab of the bio (see below), to indicate that work with the "Russian Consulate in New York City" had indeed been on his own bio. That bio was then taken down and later replaced, scrubbed of the reference to work with the Russian Consulate.
Buzzfeed inquired and reported this response: "[Weir agent Laina] Cohn said the line about working with the Russian consulate was a 'typo' and that Weir 'has always maintained that he supports the people of Russia (among people around the world) and his attendance at the Russian Children's Welfare Society Gala in September of 2010 is one of those examples.'"
That's a big typo. Well, actually, adding work to your resume then removing it isn't a typo. A typo is hitting the wrong key on your keyboard. This isn't that. No one at that speakers bureau is claiming the bio alterations.
Weir previously talked Olympics and his opposition to any boycott, with Keith Olbermann, while wearing a Russian military uniform.
What do you think about Weir being hired as a commentator for the Sochi Olympics? Queer Nation protested outside NBC's Sports Department holiday party in New York City yesterday. The banner was sewn by Gilbert Baker, the creator of the Rainbow Flag.
[H/T Americablog]
