by Ben Fisher
CTV’s Olympic Consortium was the big winner at an early Gemini Awards industry gala celebrating the best in news, sports, documentary and lifestyles on Canadian television in 2010.
The network’s coverage of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver was celebrated for its all-encompassing nature, its on-air personalities and its cutting-edge digital coverage. The Consortium came away with seven trophies, headlined by a win for ‘Best Live Sporting Event’.
Chris Cuthbert, Best Play by Play
Several individual efforts – both in front of and behind the camera – were specifically recognized. Among the on-air personalities, Chris Cuthbert claimed the ‘Best Sports Play-By-Play Announcer’ award for his work in the gold medal men’s hockey game, James Duthie was named Best Sportscaster / Anchor, and Catriona Le May Doan was recognized for her speed skating commentary as ‘Best Sports Analyst’.
Several CTV producers were also feted at the event leading into the televised Gemini ceremonies taking placed on November 13. Don Young and Les Tomlin’s “Superbodies” feature won for ‘Best Sports Analysis or Commentary (Program)’, while Stephen Brunt and Matt Dunn were awarded ‘Best Sports Feature Segment’ for their closing essay on the Games.
On the digital side, Alon Marcovici took home the ‘Outstanding Technical Achievement in Digital Media’ award for CTVOlmpics.ca / RDSOlympiques.ca.
Even the one sports award the Consortium did not come away with was claimed by a CTV employee. TSN’s Darren Dreger was recognized with a ‘Best Sports Reporting’ trophy for his work in covering the firing of NHLPA boss Paul Kelly.
