Christin Cooper Defended by Bode Miller After Heavily Criticized Interview

Christin Cooper Defended by Bode Miller After Heavily Criticized Interview
Men's super-G joint bronze medal winner Bode Miller of the United States is consoled by his wife, Morgan, at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Zachary Stieber
2/17/2014
Updated:
7/18/2015

NBC’s Christin Cooper was defended by Bode Miller after she conducted an interview with the star skier that caused him to start crying.

Cooper pressed Miller about how he was feeling following his bronze medal win on Sunday.

She repeatedly asked him about what was going through his mind and also brought up his brother Chelone Miller, who died last April.

Miller ended up walking away from the interview after he started crying.

But Miller took to Twitter to defend Cooper, a former skier who won a silver medal at the 1984 Games.

“I appreciate everyone sticking up for me. Please be gentle w Christin Cooper, it was crazy emotional and not all her fault,” he said.

“My emotions were very raw, she asked the questions that every interviewer would have, pushing is part of it, she wasnt trying to cause pain.”

Miller then retweeted the following tweet: “Agreed, Bode. It wasn’t her fault. It was the fault of @NBCOlympics producers. She was being told what to ask.”

Miller said soon after the win that he appreciated everyone’s support.

“Thanks for all the support, today was one of the most emotional days of my life,” he said. “I miss my brother.”

NBC released a statement about the interview:

“Our intent was to convey the emotion that Bode Miller was feeling after winning his bronze medal. We understand how some viewers thought the line of questioning went too far, but it was our judgment that his answers were a necessary part of the story. We’re gratified that Bode has been publicly supportive of Christin Cooper and the overall interview.”