Purdue News

February 1, 2002 Theatre student to produce Olympic sounds WEST LAFAYETTE – When the Olympic Games begin Feb. 8, the worldwide television audience will dwarf the comparative few attending the events in Salt Lake City. Among the many broadcast professionals creating the Games for viewers will be Purdue Theatre graduate student David Swenson. Swenson will serve as an audio assistant for the crew producing the alpine events. International Sports Broadcasting, Swenson's employer, is the host broadcaster for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. ISB is responsible for televising 900 hours of live Olympic competition to more than 80 broadcasters with rights to televise the Games. Telecasts will air in 150 countries and in 60 languages. "ISB has established its operational headquarters at the International Broadcast Center at the Salt Palace," Swenson says. "Our crews are responsible for compiling all of the taped coverage of competition. For me personally, that means working on the alpine events, but the company will cover 78 different Olympic events." A native of Salt Lake City, the opportunity to work at the Games came before Swenson had applied to Purdue for graduate study. In fact, he considered delaying graduate study to work on the Games. That was not necessary. Instead, Swenson will continue to work on class assignments while in Salt Lake City, via fax, e-mail and Web cameras. "It's a thrill for me to work on the Games, especially in my hometown," Swenson says. "The reality is that many more people will watch the Games on TV than at the venues. That's what makes my job so exciting. To just see the events and to hear the broadcasters is only the beginning. We'll make sure you hear the snow crunch, hear the speed of the skiers, hear the effort they expend. And in the end, if we've done our job, you'll have the feeling of being there." CONTACT: Lori Sparger, Purdue Theatre marketing director, (765) 494-3084; theatre@purdue.edu. NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Media interested in an interview with David Swenson should contact Lori Sparger, theatre marketing director, (765) 494-3084. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page