On April 11, American journalist Jane McManus visited Georgia and gave a lecture to future Georgian journalists. McManus has worked for different American newspapers as a sports journalist since 1998. Now she reviews American football for ESPN.COM. McManus also writes about sportswomen and supports women’s sport.
McManus was a sportswoman for many years. She was a basketball player in her childhood. Jane is also busy with “Roller derby” and has quite good results.
Jane decided to work as a sports journalist because of her love to sport. In spite of a 15-year experience, she confesses that it will be hard for her to cover NBA because she cannot maintain neutrality.
McManus turned out to be a fan of “New York Nets” in her childhood. She has not attended basketball games for a long time because she rests from sport on her vacation. It is the reason why she has not watched play of Georgian basketball player Tornike Shengelia in her favorite club. Jane named former and current Georgian basketball players who have ever played in NBA. Then, she mentioned Georgian wrestlers and said Georgia is very developed in this sport. Also, she knows Georgian chess players. That is not all – Jane also knows Georgian U-13 girls’ football team. The American met them at Disney Cup in Florida. Jane also met gymnast girls in Georgia…
McManus stated it is easier for today’s young women to realize themselves in sport that it was in her youth.
According to Jane, sport is very active in America but not as it was many years ago. She talked about trend changes which mainly involves the transition from the printing media to the electronic one. Rating of sports newspapers practically disappeared in America. Everybody uses internet-newspapers. However, rating of live transmission is the most popular. “Super Bowl” is the most popular program which unites the whole America.
McManus was very pleased with the working quality of Georgian sports editorial offices. For example, she liked the technology which “World Sport” uses to provide the society with the latest information: “Generally, every country has its own convenient mechanism to promptly provide people with information. As I see, you have found the best way”.
Jane started writing in 1998 and used a mechanism similar to “Pager” to write articles. However, McManus mentioned that laptop has become an indispensable attribute for her since 1999.
The American journalist refused to say which sportswoman she supports because she explained that her career demands neutrality from her. However, later she expressed her sympathy for Serena Williams and mentioned she would be very happy if her children were fans of Williams. Serena is one of the strongest sportswomen for Jane.
As for violations in American sport, she gave an example of tennis player Martina Hingis. Hingis failed a drug test because of small dose of cocaine. In her case, the whole football association supported Hingis and she won a right to return to sport.
Changing of the age is not a phenomenon only in Georgia. As McManus mentioned it often happens in baseball. As for American football and basketball, sportsmen are raised from the college and are controlled. So, it does not happen there.
Sport is not the only passion of McManus in her family. Her 10-year-old girl is fond of rock climbing. The 8-year-old girl is fond of tennis, like her father.
Before arriving in Georgia, McManus learnt history of Georgia. She also found out geopolitical situation of the country. She talks about Georgian food with admiration. Jane was invited to the restaurant in Akhaltsikhe. There she was greeted with warm people and the most delicious food. A wide range of products fascinated her because she does not like meat and tries to eat only vegetarian meal. Jane liked Lobiani, haricot bean, Kachapuri and Khinkali with cheese.
“It is a very beautiful country but your food impressed me the most!” – Jane McManus started the lecture and the interview with these words…
Eka Lolua
