Even Figure Skating Can’t Help Out CBS

The women’s figure skating competition, the crown jewel of the Olympic television package, began Wednesday night to less than spectacular ratings.

The show gave CBS a 20.7 rating and 32 share. While that is the highest rating from Nagano so far, it trailed the 48.5 rating and 64 share from Lillehammer by 57% and the 22.8 rating from Albertville by 9%.

After 13 nights of coverage, CBS is averaging a 16.5 rating and 27 share, 42% behind the 28.2 rating and 42 share from Lillehammer.

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A Canadian bobsledder who was struck and injured by falling debris at the Olympic Village got clearance to compete in Friday’s four-man bobsled heat.

Matt Hindle, 23, of Calgary, was outside at 8 p.m. Wednesday when he was hit by a plexiglass barrier that fell from the sixth floor of the Olympic Village tower.

Hindle suffered only a cut shoulder, which required five stitches.