Did NBC underestimate the power of Twitter? Is social media stealing the networks thunder? Especially on the most anticipated events that the network is showing on tape delay to air during prime time? Twitter has said that more tweets were sent in a single day than in all of the 2008 Olympics.

Then, of course, there are Olympic Twitter wars happening as well, like the one between Hope Solo of the US Women's Soccer team and Brandi Chastain former US Olympic Soccer Star. It was suggested by some that the athletes should be experiencing the Olympics and not be on Twitter. I don't know that I agree with this. Olympic athletes are young, embrace technology and live in social media. They worked so hard to get to where they are and they are sharing their experiences via social media just like they would any other experience. If we are saying they shouldn't tweet, then shouldn't the same be said for someone on vacation or at a major event, etc? I think it's awesome that the US Olympic Committee supports the use of social media.

Now, I am not saying that the imbeciles who are tweeting racist rants or mocking opponents shouldn't be punished. Nor am I in support of the above-mentioned war, but the athletes should be able to share their experiences. I also think that NBC and network affiliates should've have been more prepared for this. After all, they all share news daily via social media, they shouldn't expect to keep spoilers off Twitter so they can show tape delays of the events at times they see fit. In this day and age, people want their information in real time, and if the networks won't show it, they will find it elsewhere.

What do you think? Have you been following the Olympics via Twitter, any athletes in particular or particular events?