DBBC Radio Announcer/Account Executive Patrick Kinas wrapped up his gig calling Olympic swimming events on the radio from Rio as the venue wrapped up its competitions on Saturday, August 13, 2016. Westwood One is now having Kinas event-hop, covering various other sports during the final week of the Olympics. As he continues sharing his Olympic experience via Social Media, he’s allowing Capcom to in turn share with our readers. Check out Kinas’ pix and comments from the weekend as he wound up his swimming play-by-play and moved on to more epic Olympic adventures:
SLIDESHOW: Patrick Kinas Photos from Thursday, August 11th
Day 6 of the Rio Games is complete. Just another day of once-in-a-lifetime memories.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Literally had my first 20 minutes do experience something non swimming related, so I caught the end of the women’s doubles match between RUS Vesnina/Makarova and ESP Suraez-Lopez/Muguruza. But only saw this accidentally because if got off the bus at the wrong spot. Here are the Russians celebrating after match point.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: The warm reminder of where we are entering the hallway for NBC at the IBC. You know, in case you forget you’re at the freaking Olympics.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: A moment in history for American 100m freestyle champion Simone Manuel, becoming the first African-American swimmer to win gold, and the USA’s first gold medalist in this event since 1984.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Manuel was tied for gold by Canada’s 16yo Penny Oleksiak, hence both standing on top of the podium.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Flag ceremony after Manuel/Oleksiak golden tie.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Michael Phelps with his 22nd gold medal, holding up four fingers to represent becoming the first Olympic swimmer to win the same event four times in a row – the 200IM.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: A look at the perch from which Dara and I get to call these incredible races.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Side angle of our broadcast location. Yes, I’m not wearing any shoes. Like you had to ask.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Dara getting interviewed for about the 973rd time. This time, ironically, it WAS for “Time” magazine.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Dara and I really don’t like each other very much.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: WRAL’s and very good friend of mine Jeff Gravleywith Dara Torres. No more than five minutes earlier I woke Dara up from a nap. Not recommended. There is a better picture, but I don’t know how to blur our what she was gesturing to me….
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Center Court at the Rio Olympic Tennis Center. I hope to get in there next week when swimming is over.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: ESP’s Carlos Suarez-Navarro serving on serve in the 2nd. The Spaniards would fall in straights.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Concession stand happiness inside the Olympic Aquatics Stadium. Pretty sure his boss smacked him after posing for this picture.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: A look at the prices of items inside the swimming venue. Keep in mind the conversion rate is about 4:1. So an item listed here at 10,00 (yes, that’s how it’s denoted), is 10 real or 2.50$. But they don’t accept American money. Real-ly.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Our daily songbird volunteer who greets the morning media at IBC security. She sings songs about what you need to put in the security bins and all kinds of other things.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Here’s the epicenter of media travel at the IBC. Hundreds of buses in different areas, each heading to different venues. Some Olympic events are taking place dozens of miles away, so as long as you can figure out where you’re going and which bus takes you there, this is how it’s done. I’m sure I’ll be screwing this up often next week when i start heading to other competitions.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: A drive-by look at the athlete’s Olympic Village. Almost all countries hang their flags across their balconies like all the countries you see here including Turkey. The USA isn’t hanging its flag for security reasons. Of course, when this story came out, USA Today took a picture of the bland looking building with no flags where the US was staying and tweeted it out to the world. Thanks for the help.
.
SLIDESHOW: Patrick Kinas’ Photos from Friday, August 12th
Quite possibly the single-best day in American swimming history, and for some reason they’re paying ME to call it. Interviewed the greatest Olympian of all-time Michael Phelps, twice individual bronze medalist Nathan Adrian and 50m free gold medalist Anthony Ervin. Called the final individual race of Phelps’ career, the Olympic’s first- triple dead-heat – for silver in the 50 free, another World Record by Ledecky, a breathtaking touch of the wall by Maya DiRado to upset Hosszu and other assorted Olympic memories.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Katie Ledecky’s uncle – Jon – who also doubles as the owner of the NHL’s New York Islanders, being interviewed at the IBC after Ledecky smashed her World Record in the 800 free.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Fastest man in the water – 35 year old Anthony Ervin, who won the gold in 2000, retired, got lost in a few of life’s vices for about 10 years, comes back and now is again Olympic champion. His reaction when he saw me waiting – “Heyyyyyyyyy, I remember you from Charlotte. NBC Radio, right? Yeah, let’s do this!” I drove over to Charlotte in early July for a Team USA press conference to interview six members of the Olympic team. Told him to look for me after he won gold. Kismet.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: At the top of the Mixed Zone, bronze medalist Nathan Adrian and gold medalist Anthony Ervin.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Dara and my reaction after DiRado out-touched Hosszu to win the 200 back. Seriously was an overpowering moment.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Dara having fun with a tool security uses to touch our backpacks during daily security checks. If you’re a Family Guy fan, you’ll appreciate me saying the Peter Griffin line “Backscratcher! Get your Backscratcher!” as security dabbles around. Dara demonstrating proper use of said Backscratcher.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: My first pin! I’ve always heard about the collection and exchanging of Olympic pins at each Games, and to my surprise, Sylvia Poll, a bronze medalist in swimming from Costa Rica gave me my first pin yesterday. I feel so Olympian now. Coach Yow was an avid pin collector.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: So yeah, this happened. Gold Medalists Maya DiRado and Anthony Ervin stopped by the studios to cut a segment for Tonight In Rio on Westwood One/NBC Radio, and told their amazing stories so eloquently. They’ve become American heroes.
He asked me if I wanted to wear his gold medals. Don’t need to ask me twice. They’re real and they’re spectacular.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: The luxury of doing what I do is to be surprised by Olympic Champions. Katie Ledecky is on her way to becoming the best women’s freestyler ever. Four golds in Rio plus a silver, one World Record in the 800 free, and became the second Olympian ever to sweep the 200/400/800, the first in 48 years. Plus, just a really polite and grounded kid with unassuming confidence that she can do anything. Great representative for Team USA.
.
SLIDESHOW: Patrick Kinas’ Photos from Saturday, August 13th
An exhilarating final Day 8 at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium, and my last day working with Dara Torres, who quickly became a great, great friend. Can’t imagine calling any more swimming without her.
Hopefully these pictures accurately sum up one last historic day in the pool for Team USA.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: This is Willy from OBS (Olympic Broadcast Services). He and his staff of around 500 produce the world feed for the Olympic Games, so when anything technical occurs and we need help, we press a button and there is Willy. We got to know him rather well at Space 13.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: After all the media and press conferences were done late, late last night, the entire team posed for a few pictures. All of the venue volunteers were down on the deck to get tight shots of Team USA, which dominated with 33 medals.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Denmark’s Pernille Blume claimed fastest female swimmer in the world winning Gold in the 50m freestyle, becoming the first Dane to win the event. About a half-hour later, she anchored the Danes to Bronze in the women’s medley relay final.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Michael Phelps in the mixed zone after winning gold in his final Olympic event.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Michael Phelps heading off the deck toward the mixed zone.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Michael Phelps conducting an interview with international media on the deck after the medal ceremony following his last Gold in the Medley Relay.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: I was moved down into the tv section of the mixed zone as the USA’s medal ceremony concluded. Got a deck- level shot of their celebration.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: I’ve had the great privilege to hang out with NBC’s great Olympic swimming broadcast team of Dan Hicks (left) and Olympic champion Rowdy Gaines all week. They graciously helped me at every turn.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Dara and I posing for one last picture before the final night of swimming. These sets of Olympic Rings are scattered about the grounds have become the favorite spot for fans to capture their Olympic experience.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: A nighttime look at Rio’s Olympic Plaza.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: If this post-Olympic media/public speaking thing doesn’t work out, Dara is seriously contemplating a career in popcorn sales.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Proud parents of Katie Ledecky.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Posted this separately, but when you’re surrounded by Olympic greatness, you post it again!
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Dara embracing her Olympic teammate, Gold medalist Anthony Ervin.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Going to make a final week habit of snapping whatever programming is being aired on Korean Broadcast System. It’s been very assorted and highly entertaining. Most every international broadcast company in the IBC has a big screen just outside their entry with their programming. The KBS always is discussed the most.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Again, Gold medalists and deep thinkers Maya DiRado and Anthony Ervin.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Dara with Katie Ledecky.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: A surprise unfurling from the Gold medal Medley Relay team thanking Rio for its hospitality. They posed right in front of the international media. Nathan Adrian told me he felt like it was a home meet because the Rio fans were so welcoming and warm.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Cody Miller’s family. Cody, a swimmer at IU, took bronze in the 100m breaststroke and gold in the Medley Relay.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: One last goodbye from Station 13, which was home to Dara and I for our NBC Radio/Westwood One coverage for the first 8 days of the Games. Hope to see you in Tokyo, Station 13.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: First post-swimming assignment in Rio – big match between China and USA in women’s volleyball. USA has never won gold, but after two straight silvers in Beijing and London, Karch Kiraly was hired to try to get us over the hump. China 3rd ranked in world (USA #1). USA 4-0 in Pool B, China just 2-2 in Pool A, but both squads heading to knockout quarterfinals starting Tuesday. Lots of US and Chinese representation. In other words, really, really loud!
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: THIS is the happiest place on Earth. Midnight beach volleyball on Copacabana Beach, I don’t mind if I do! Brazil up first, then USA with Kerri Lee Walsh and April Ross. Amazing atmosphere. Amazing.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: The luxury of doing what I do is to be surprised by Olympic Champions. Katie Ledecky is on her way to becoming the best women’s freestyler ever. Four golds in Rio plus a silver, one World Record in the 800 free, and became the second Olympian ever to sweep the 200/400/800, the first in 48 years. Plus, just a really polite and grounded kid with unassuming confidence that she can do anything. Great representative for Team USA.
.
.
SLIDESHOW: Patrick Kinas’ Photos posted from Sunday, August 14th
Day 9 from Rio in the books, and while I’m up and on my second bus ride this morning at 930am after 3 hours of sleep, it’s the Olympics. I’ll sleep in September.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Chatted with three-time defending gold medalist Kerri Lee Walsh-Jennings and April Ross after their quarterfinal win in beach volleyball against the Australians. They couldn’t have been more accommodating with their time. I asked for 20 seconds, they gave me 3 minutes.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Kevin Durant and some basketball buddies surprised Walsh and Ross to support them at their midnight match.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: DeAndre Jordan and Jimmy Butler, part of the 4-man USA basketball group the hopped out to the beach volleyball match.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: When the 12,000 fans saw this, the venue went crazy for them. The players shook the American flag and started a stadium-shaking U-S-A chant.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: A look just as Walsh-Jennings and Ross were introduced before their match against Australia.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: USA women’s volleyball coach and legend Karch Kiraly signing an autograph for a volunteer after our win over China. He was gracious and thoughtful with his one-on-one with me.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: The volleyball venue at Maracanazinho is like a party. After super spikes, this group of six cheerleaders race onto the edge of the court while the PA plays special music that revs up the fans-dancing and gesturing ensues. Same for big blocks – it’s like clockwork, and these cheerleaders get a big workout. If you’re not ready for it, you’re a bit surprised, but after a time or two, you get into it and it’s equal parts fun and hysterical. Even the volunteers are dancing between points.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: The Olympic indoor volleyball venue.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: My daily Korean Broadcast Station video fix. This is more for my enjoyment, and Greg Manabat, who I understand is a big fan. He celebrates their entire collection.
From DBBC’s Patrick Kinas: Golden State Warrior Draymond Green who appears to be over the beach volleyball mayhem.
.
Thanks to DBBC’s Patrick Kinas for these capcom photos.
Stay tuned to Capcom for more from Kinas and the six WRAL-TV staffers who are in Rio for the 2016 Summer Games. In the meantime, follow more of Kinas’ fun at various Olympic venues during the the final week of the 2016 Games. Listen for Kinas locally on 99.9 The Fan and follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatrickKinas
