Clare Balding sparks fury with Olympics remark as BBC viewers rage 'give it a rest'

Clare Balding sparked fury with BBC Olympics coverage (Image: BBC)

Clare Balding delighted in Daniel Wiffen's victory after he secured a win at the Olympic Games but some viewers hit out at the BBC broadcaster. He became the first athlete from Northern Ireland to win an Olympic gold medal in 36 years as he triumphed in a thrilling 800m freestyle final in Paris.

The veteran sports broadcaster is currently in Paris presenting her seventh Olympic Games. Clare, 53, has been fronting the swimming events from La Defense Arena over the past few days, with retired professional swimmers Rebecca Adlington and Mark Foster joining her during one of the broadcasts.

During Tuesday night's freestyle final the presenter caused a stir on social media as some viewers claimed she intimated Daniel was representing Great Britain and not Team Ireland.

The 23 year old, who was born in Leeds, England, moved to County Down in Northern Ireland with his parents aged two, and represents Team Ireland in the Olympics.

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Following his win, Clare commented: "We've seen already, earlier today, a gold medal for Ireland for Daniel Wiffen, who is from Northern Ireland.

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Clare Balding was joined by retired swimmers Rebecca Adlington and Mark Foster (Image: BBC)

"Northern Ireland are also celebrating there because that's a really rare thing. A gold medal in the swimming for Northern Ireland."

She added: "For someone from Northern Ireland, I should say."

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

Officially, the team is the "Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team", although athletes from Northern Ireland may opt to compete for Ireland - which is separate from Team GB.

Viewers hit out at Clare's remark as one person fumed: "Sorry @TeamIreland, @clarebalding has decided your medal doesn’t count. Terrible analysis from the @BBCSport as usual #bbcolympics."

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Daniel Wiffen won the gold in his final and the first for Team Ireland (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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Daniel Wiffen made history at the Paris Olympics (Image: Getty)

Another tweeted: "Hang on Clare Balding! You can’t have Daniel Wiffin, he’s Irish and the medal is for Ireland! Big up Daniel Wiffin."(sic)

A third wrote: "Clare Balding is short of asking him why he didn't swim for Team GB. Give it a rest, Clare."

"Clare Balding trying to claim Wiffen as he was born in NI. He’s competing for Ireland," another penned.

A fourth chimed in: "BBC is funny. He won it for the Team Republic of Ireland not Northern Ireland. There is an Olympic team for Great Britain, which Wiffen has chosen not to be in."

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A fifth added: "Can Clare Balding please stop saying Northern Ireland. Ireland won the gold medal not Northern Ireland. Thanks."

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

After stepping off the podium, Daniel ran over and jumped into the arms of his family - including his twin, Nathan.

He becomes the first Olympian from Northern Ireland to win Olympic gold for Ireland and the first Olympian from Team Ireland to win a gold medal in swimming since 1996.

Clare Balding sparks fury with Olympics remark as BBC viewers rage 'give it a rest'

Clare Balding sparks fury with Olympics remark as BBC viewers rage 'give it a rest'

Clare Balding sparks fury with Olympics remark as BBC viewers rage 'give it a rest'

Clare Balding sparks fury with Olympics remark as BBC viewers rage 'give it a rest'

Clare Balding sparks fury with Olympics remark as BBC viewers rage 'give it a rest'