Matt Baker sparks BBC Olympics double-standards row as fans slam 'cringe-worthy' Simone Biles coverage

BBC Olympics: Matt Baker's reaction to Simone Biles has come under fire

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Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 05/08/2024

- 15:19

The Beeb's commentary team were on hand to cover Monday's gymnastics

BBC viewers have been left less than impressed with the likes of Matt Baker and the rest of the channel's commentary team following US gymnast Simone Biles' mixed day at the games.

On Monday, Biles was aiming to add to her already impressive collection of 10 Olympic medals as she took to the balance beam and the floor alongside her fellow gymnasts.

The 27-year-old suffered blows both on the beam and floor, however, slipping off the apparatus and ending up in fourth place while she missed out on gold on the floor after tumbling outside the lines.

As expected for one of the sport's biggest names, Biles attracted a lot of attention, especially after failing to bag a gold - but that appeared to irk Baker and his BBC colleagues.

When commentating on Biles' beam performance, Baker exclaimed "Oh no!" as she fell off before he sounded rather shell-shocked when he had to deliver her score: "Well, it just wasn't to be! C'est la vie for Simone on beam. Oh, my word.

"Well, that -" Baker continued before abruptly stopping himself to listen in to Biles' complaints to her coaching team. "She's talking about the atmosphere, she's talking about people shushing - we've talked about it and the atmosphere in here is like a cauldron when those gymnasts are on.

Simone Biles

Simone Biles suffered a fall on the beam on Monday

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"Oh my word. What a shame, Simone!" Baker continued to gush before siding with the gymnast: "I think it's the atmosphere, I really do. We hardly ever see Simone in these situations."

Biles' score on the beam saw her miss out on a medal as Italy's Alice d'Amato took the gold medal.

Looking disappointed and irked with her surroundings, spectating paparazzi and television cameras continued to capture Biles' mood following her beam fall - another feature that the BBC commentary team and Baker sided with the gymnast over.

Brazil's Rebeca Andrade saw off Biles in the floor final too, meaning the US gymnast had to settle for silver on the podium, although Baker still described her display as a "sterling performance".

Soon after Biles' performances, several rather frustrated BBC viewers took to X to point out the hypocrisy Baker and co appeared to be guilty of by slamming the cameras and the coverage the US gymnast received.

One fan hit out: "#BBCOlympics gymnastic commentators losing their s**t about Simone Biles having cameras thrust in her face after she fell off the beam is ridiculously ironic seeing as they have basically made the entire olympics about her & screamed like groupies at every single move she's made."

A second similarly weighed in: "There's a certain irony in the #BBCOlympics gymnastics commentators complaining about the media attention on Simone Biles, when she has been their sole topic of conversation throughout these #OlympicGames."

Elsewhere, a third took aim at Baker's words: "Flood warning announced in Paris as it's predicted BBC presenter and Biles cringe worthy cheerleader Matt Baker might not stop crying for a fortnight #Paris2024."

And another fumed: "#BBCOlympics … can someone send a 'helpline' number to Matt Baker, he’s so distraught about 1) a gymnast falling off 2) the crowd in auditorium and 3) the TV Cameras (he really liked the last 2 until the first one happened)."

A fifth also blasted: "#BBCOlympics what is wrong with Matt Baker, that score for his favourite, Biles was definitely correct. Get over it Matt, even she falls off and gets punished for it!!"

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Simone Biles

Simone Biles did bag a silver medal for her performance in the floor final

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However, amid the backlash to Baker and his co-stars' reaction to Biles were some viewers who enjoyed the exuberant responses to the gymnasts.

"Absolutely loving the gymnastics commentary. Matt Baker’s enthusiasm is infectious," one fan said.

While a second argued: "Really enjoyed @christinestill2 taking prominence over Craig Heap and Matt Baker in the #BBCOlympics #Gymnastics commentary for the beam performances.

"What a relief! Facts and perspective over waffle and hyperbole. @louissmith1989 & Christine dream team next, please! #Paris2024." (sic)

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