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SOCHI, Russia — Social media unleashed its wrath on NBC reporter Christin Cooper, whose interview left American skier Bode Miller in tears. After tying for the bronze medal in the men’s super-G, Cooper repeatedly asked the skier about his deceased brother.

Miller’s brother, Chelone, was a snowboarder who died last year at the age of 29 after a seizure.

“Bode, you’re showing so much emotion down here. What’s going through your mind?

Then:

“I know you wanted to be here with Chelly experiencing these games. How much does it mean to you to come up with a great performance for him? And was it for him?”

Then:

“When you’re looking up at the sky at the start we see you there and it just looks like you’re talking to somebody. What’s going on there?”

At which point, Bode curls his head and body, overcome with emotion. NBC received widespread criticism for lingering on the emotion, as Miller wept and then walked away to be comforted by his wife.

In response to the criticism (see below), NBC released a statement Sunday night.

“Our intent was to convey the emotion that Bode Miller was feeling after winning his bronze medal,” a spokesman for the network said. “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.”

This Bode Miller interview got really uncomfortable/disrespectful very quickly. Christin Cooper should've backed off. http://t.co/aJfmrkPPkm — Kami Mattioli (@kmattio) February 17, 2014

Christin Cooper @NBCOlympics Bode Miller interview was disgusting. Apology and rolling heads in order. http://t.co/li6WavTfec” via @kmattio — Bennet Cobliner (@bennetcobliner) February 17, 2014

Click here to read more tweets critical of Christin Cooper’s interview.