I'm not quite sure I understand everyones frustration. Why don't people just watch whatever events they want whenever they want online (it's all available there for free and with fewer commercials).
Because watching it on my computer isn't nearly as easy (stuttering, finding URLs, downloading players), convenient, relaxing, or high quality as sitting on my couch while watching an HD broadcast on my 50" LCD.
Easy, convenient: In the past I would have agreed with you. But by far, this year's olympics online broadcast has been very well managed. High quality with little to no stuttering (even for live events), content well organized and timely (replay of complete event available only minutes after they are complete).
As for the couch and large TV aspect, I suppose I would have to agree with you.
My family doesn't own a tv. For the Summer Olympics there was lots of official online content. The winter games? ... not so much.
Sure there are lots of official stats out there, but I was unable to find the figure skating for my wife. In the end, she was reduced to watching it in Greek (we think) on a tiny Justintv station.
NBC paid a lot of money to secure coverage of the games. I wish they had put more effort into making them actually available to people.
Trying that link from Tokyo, it doesn't mention access restrictions, but video also doesn't load. It just says it is experiencing loading difficulties.