This happens even as women dominate NBC’s prime-time television coverage. The shift continues a trend that began at the 2012 London Games, when women received 55 percent of coverage. This is attributed in part to the intense focus on five sports in prime-time where American women dominate — beach volleyball, diving, gymnastics, swimming and track and field. “It’s been in the interest of NBC and the other major media outlets to highlight the strong performances of female athletes,” Ms. Hardin said. Mr. Inverdale mentioned that Murray was the first person ever to win two Olympic tennis gold medals.

Source: New York Times August 18, 2016 18:11 UTC