When a BBC announcer suggested that a Brazilian broadcaster needed to shut up at the start of a swimming race at the Rio Olympics, he was voicing the feelings of many in the host country.
Considered the Bob Costas of Brazil, Carlos Eduardo dos Santos Galvao Bueno — known simply as Galvao — is a love-him-or-hate-him announcer who is the voice of Brazilian sports. His raucous, over-the-top style helps make big sporting events feel even bigger in Brazil.
However, those who dislike Galvao’s clamorous colloquies have taken to social media during the Olympics to beg him to be a bit more silent and are reveling in the outside criticism — #CalaABocaGalvao is a thing. Translation: “Shut up, Galvao.”
Galvao, 66, is the chief sports commentator for Globo, a major TV network in Brazil. He is the voice that brings World Cups, Formula One races and, of course, Olympic Games to millions of Brazilians. Beyond his seeming inability to take a breath, he is known for his blind support of Brazilian athletes, blunt disagreements with guests and fellow commentators, and excessive attention to the rivalry between Brazil and Argentina.
Among his signature sayings: “Winning is great, but beating Argentina is much better,” “These [insert nationality of opposing team here] are very annoying,” “Dramaaaaaaaaatic!” and the oft-heard “Haja coracao” — something akin to feeling like one might have a heart attack — now a common saying by Brazilians during sporting events.
Galvao was already getting attention for a scathing commentary after Brazil’s Olympic men’s soccer team could manage only a 0-0 draw against Iraq and walked off the field without talking to reporters.
“Ugly. Very ugly... Not professional... Unethical,” Galvao said.
The swimming incident circulated on Twitter when a video of the BBC broadcast was posted. Before one of the many races featuring Michael Phelps last week, Galvao kept talking — loudly — as the swimmers took their starting positions.
When an official paused to ask the crowd to quiet down, the BBC commentator said: “Too much noise ... at least coming from the commentator next to me. I tell you, he needs to shut up during the start.”
After the incident, Galvao acknowledged he should have zipped his lips and posted a picture on Instagram of him with the BBC broadcast team.
Despite the mockery, some find Galvao inspiring. Local Fox Sports announcer Gustavo Villani is one.
“He truly understands all sports and delivers it with a lot of emotion,” Villani said. “He lets himself go.”
Omar Marmoush’s stunning long-range strike on Tuesday upstaged Kevin de Bruyne on the Manchester City great’s Etihad farewell. Marmoush let fly from about 30m to put City ahead in their 3-1 win against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left qualification for the UEFA Champions League in their own hands heading into the last round of the season. “It’s really important. To be in the Champions League after what happened [this season] will be really nice,” the City manager said. De Bruyne was making his final home appearance for City before
TIGHT FINISH: Napoli only needed to do the same as or better than Inter, who won their game against Como 2-0 on the same day, leaving Napoli with a one-point lead The two players who Antonio Conte wanted more than any others secured Napoli their second Serie A title in three years on Friday. Scott McTominay scored with an acrobatic bicycle kick before halftime and Romelu Lukaku doubled the lead with a solo goal after the break in the decisive 2-0 home win over Cagliari. Conte became the first coach to win the Italian championship with three different teams. “Everyone contributed to this — but the coach most of all,” Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo said. “Napoli needed him to get back on top. He’s phenomenal.” Comparing it to his three Serie A titles won
The journey of Taiwan’s badminton mixed doubles duo Ye Hong-wei and Nicole Chan at the Malaysia Masters in Kuala Lumpur came to an end in the semi-finals yesterday after they suffered a 2-0 loss to China’s Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping. Ye, 25, and Chan, 20, teamed up last year and are currently ranked No. 23 in the world. The Taiwanese shuttlers took on China’s second seeds in the mixed doubles event, but proved no match for Feng and Huang, losing the match 10-21, 7-21. In the first half of the first game, the pairings were neck and neck at 6-7 until Ye
SSC Napoli coach Antonio Conte has dragged the team back from disaster and restored them to the top of Italian Serie A, but his future at the Scudetto winners is in doubt even after a triumphant season. The fiery 55-year-old has exceeded preseason expectations and bolstered his reputation as a serial winner by guiding Napoli to their fourth Scudetto, and second in three seasons. However, he might well be on his way in the summer after just one season at the helm as his charged relationship with Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has simmered throughout the campaign. Conte has said
RSS