‘Do your job now’ fumes BBC commentator as he demands Olympics 2024 judges intervene in ‘dangerous’ situation
OLYMPIC judges were blasted after a “dangerous” dive went unpunished.
BBC commentator and British ex-Games diver Leon Taylor urged them to “Do your job now!” after Maia Biginelli nearly cracked her head.
The crowd at the Paris Aquatics Centre were stunned as the Italian came within inches of smashing her scalp against the platform.
Biginelli had taken the plunge with a three-and-a-half somersaults inward dive in the tuck position, which is rated 3.2 for difficulty.
But on her first twist, the head of the spinning 21-year-old came sickeningly near to thudding the end of the board.
Gasps could be heard from spectators inside the packed arena.
But no-one spoke out more fiercely than co-commentator Taylor.
The 2004 Olympian, 46, said: “Judges, you need to do your job now!
“You didn’t do it this morning. Do your job now. That is a dangerous, dangerous dive.
“Her hair hits the diving board, she should be massively penalised for that. Her hair pretty much hits the board.”
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Unwilling to let judges off the hook, Taylor added: “What are you watching from your seats? What are you watching?
“We’ve got a duty of care in this sport to keep athletes safe.
“You’ve got to penalise. Coaches, you can see that as well.”
Biginelli received a modest 41.60 score for her dive but there was no sign of a penalty.
However, as coaches reviewed her dive with her on a small screen, she appeared to be given feedback on what another the Beeb team called a “frightening” move.
Meanwhile, Brits Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and Lois Toulson had contrasting fortune in the same semi.
The pair won the bronze in the women’s synchronised 10m platform but only Spendolini-Sirieix – the daughter of First Dates star Fred – reached the final in the individual event.
China’s synchro champions Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi predictably cruised through.
