The 31st Olympiad ran from Aug. 5–21 in Rio De Janeiro, but back in Connecticut, one of Fordham’s own was covering the event for NBC. Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’16 graduate Connor Mannion reported on Olympic Boxing, a sport which has 10 male weight classes, three female weight classes and featured over 300 matches leading up to the elimination matches. This was just one of the 28 sports that NBC televised during this time, with over 170 commentators and hundreds of articles written throughout the Olympics.  

Mannion was a Digital Editorial Producer for NBC throughout the games. He managed the NBC website and produced digital content related to boxing. He was responsible for watching the live stream of all of the events, which on average was about four hours of uninterrupted matches a day. Mannion would write up articles based on these livestream results, including any framework and special stories that arose during specific matches. Following all this, he would put together highlight reels of the matches.

When asked about covering the spectacle, Mannion said, “You must be prepared to dive into research very quickly.” This was essential to him, since he knew very little about boxing going into the job. Mannion had to do massive amounts of research to properly analyze the matches and provide clear commentary during the games. Mannion said that one of the most important skills required was the ability to find a story, which he noted could be based on an athlete’s background or a performance that provides insight to readers.

Mannion said that the most interesting part for him during these Olympics was the realization that he was part of something unique and an event different from any other Olympic Games. Mannion pointed out that during the London 2012 Olympics the United States struggled and did not medal in boxing. However, during Rio, an unseeded US boxer defeated a Russian, who was the favorite to win gold. It became very special for Mannion when he realized this was the moment that there was a change in the tides. The United States ultimately won three more medals than they were expected to.

Mannion said his favorite part of the job was finding the stories that he would focus on writing. He had the opportunity to interview some of the athletes and write short features on them. “[It was] great to talk to them, learn from them and to pick their brains on their feelings before a fight.

While following the games and reporting on them from Stamford, Conn., Mannion recalled his Fordham education. For him, the most important things he learned from Fordham were “being able to look at something holistically, and the research skills,”  both of which turned out to be essential to his time covering the games. In addition, Mannion said that “Fordham makes you write a lot, and as soon as you graduate you learn that writing well is probably the most essential skill that you can have.”

Mannion concluded with some advice that he had for anyone hoping to get involved in the field of major sports event coverage, or journalism in general. “Make sure your writing skills are strong, make sure to know a story when you see one, and to make sure you know what the conflict in the story is.” Mannion added, “Always research the topic you are writing about, and find out the unique storylines involved to create the most well-rounded article possible.”reporting on them from Stanford, CT Mannion recalled his Fordham education , and what helped him most during the Olympics. For him, “being able to look at something holistically, and the research skills,” turned out to be  essential to his time covering the games. In addition, Mannion said that: “Fordham makes you write a lot, and as soon as you graduate you learn that writing well is probably the most essential skill that you can have.”

Mannion concluded with some advice that he had for anyone hoping to get involved in the field of major sports event coverage, or journalism in general.

“Make sure your writing skills are strong, make sure to know a story when you see one, and to make sure you know what the conflict in the story is.” Mannion added to always look into the topic you are covering, and find out the unique characteristics or storylines involved to create the most well-rounded article possible.