Olympics 2024 host Clare Balding blasted for ‘toxic’ remarks after Ireland’s historic win

Clare Balding has been blasted by some BBC viewers after ‘claiming’ Ireland’s historic Olympic gold medal in swimming.

On Tuesday night, Daniel Wiffen became the first Irish male swimmer to ever win a gold medal for the nation.

The Team Ireland swimmer managed to edge out American Bobby Finke to take gold by 0.56 seconds in the 800m freestyle final at La Défense Arena in Paris, also setting an Olympic record in the process.

The 23-year-old was born in England and raised in Magheralin, County Down.

While he possesses both British and Irish nationality, Daniel represents Ireland at the Olympic, World, and European levels.

However, after his win, comments made by Clare, 53, riled some up.

Speaking to fellow presenters Rebecca Adlington and Mark Foster, the veteran broadcaster said the following.

‘We’ve seen already earlier today a gold medal earlier for Ireland, for Daniel Wiffen, who is from Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland is also celebrating there, because that is also a rare thing, a gold medal in the swimming pool for Northern Ireland,’ she said.

She then quickly added: ‘Or someone from Northern Ireland I should say.’

However, her clarification didn’t matter for many.

Sharing a clip of the moment on social media, one user commented: ‘Sorry @TeamIreland, @clarebalding has decided your medal doesn’t count. Terrible analysis from the @BBCSport as usual.’

‘OMG, can’t believe I just heard Clare Balding claim Daniel Wiffen’s gold medal for Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland are not in the Olympics!’ user Olive posted on X.

‘Claire Balding and BBC at it again tonight with toxic comments declaring the amazing achievement of Daniel Wiffen from Northern Ireland and not Ireland, the country he represented,’ Paul shared.

‘Hang on Clare Balding! You can’t have Daniel Wiffen, he’s Irish and the medal is for Ireland!’ Nikki wrote.

‘Clare Balding trying to claim Wiffen as he was born in NI. He’s competing for Ireland’ Glynis added.

Meanwhile Melanie said Clare was ‘stoking the fire’ with her comments while Conroy claimed the presenter was ‘showing no respect’ for the swimmer.

BBC Sport also found itself inundated with negative responses after sharing a post following his win that read: ‘Daniel Wiffen becomes the first athlete from Northern Ireland to win an Olympic gold medal since 1988.’

Replying, user Clive said: ‘He represents Ireland not Northern Ireland. They don’t compete in the Olympics. Look at his T-shirt lads.’

‘Did you miss the Team Ireland bit,’ Anto asked.

‘What anthem are they playing lads? What does it say on his top?’ Conall added.

Last year the national broadcaster issued an apology to Irish actor Paul Mescal for calling him British when reporting on his Oscar nomination.

The 28-year-old, who is from Maynooth, was given the nod for his leading role in indie flick Aftersun in the Actor in a Leading Role category.

But when covering the nominations, the BBC reported: ‘2023 Oscar nominations: British actors Paul Mescal and Bill Nighy are nominated for leading role.’

In a written apology, it later said: ‘In text running across the screen we reported that Paul Mescal was one of two British actors who had been nominated for an Oscar for a leading role.’

‘The text should have said that Paul Mescal is Irish. We apologise for the mistake.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted BBC and representatives for Clare Balding for comment.

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