Olympic choreographer Akram Khan has expressed disappointment that NBC chose not to air his performance at the Olympics opening ceremony on Friday, suggesting it was "not commercial enough".
NBC broadcast did not show the segment which included his dance tribute to the victims of the July 7 bombing during their exclusive US coverage of the opening ceremony. The US network instead showed a pre-taped interview with Olympics champion swimmer Michael Phelps by "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest.
"I feel disheartened and disappointed," Khan said in a press conference. "I was really shocked and horrified and would like to know on what grounds the American media can make that decision."
"I am really sad that I couldn't show the work in America, and that really upsets me, because I don't think it's any less or more than any of the other pieces," Khan added.
Created by the Britain's most famous choreographer, the sequence featured 50 dancers, a 10-year-old boy, and Akram Khan himself performing to the song "Abide With Me" by Scottish pop singer Emeli Sandé.
The tribute performance was dedicated to the 52 victims of the 2005 London bombing attacks, which happened the day after London was awarded the Olympics.
NBC said in a statement that stated editing decisions such as this are routinely made for pre-recorded entertainment.
On Friday, approximately 1 billion people watched the broadcast or attended the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics.
