Fans joke BBC commentator made rude proposition to Paula Radcliffe live on air before Olympics 2024 race
FANS were left in stitches at athletics commentator Steve Cram’s comment towards colleague Paula Radcliffe before the Olympic 1500 metre final.
Team GB star Josh Kerr, 26, was pipped to gold in Paris on Tuesday night as USA’s Cole Hocker stormed to a thrilling victory.
Kerr picked up silver, while pre-race favourite and defending champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen came home in a disappointing fourth after setting a relentless pace from a long way out.
Cram, 63, who claimed Olympic silver in the 1500m in Los Angeles 40 years ago behind Sebastian Coe, was the BBC‘s lead commentator for the race alongside British marathon legend Radcliffe, 50.
And before the gun he sent social media into a frenzy as fans joked about his proposition to Radcliffe.
Shortly before the start, he said: “Quick one Paula before it starts.”
It was obvious Cram was asking Radcliffe for her views on the race as she replied with a question, saying: “How would you do it?”
But cheeky fans joked about Cram’s comment as they gave their reactions online.
One said: “Steve Cram has just asked Paula Ratcliffe if she wants a quick one before the race starts!”
Another added: “Did Steve Cram just offer Paula Radcliffe a quick one before it starts?”
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While a third responded: “Bit cheeky of Steve Cram to put this question to Paula Radcliffe before tonight’s 1500m Olympics Final!”
There was legitimate controversy on the track on Wednesday as George Mills, son of ex-England player Danny Mills, had a bust-up with France’s Hugo Hay after tripping and falling in the heats of the 5000 metres.
Speaking to the BBC after the incident, he said: “I mean I think it’s pretty clear, I got stepped out on.
“I was about to kick on in the home straight and… boom, the French lad took me down.”
BBC's Olympics line-up in full
Presenters:
- Clare Balding
- Gabby Logan
- Hazel Irvine
- Isa Guha
- Jeanette Kwakye
- JJ Chalmers
- Mark Chapman
Studio guests:
- Beth Tweddle
- Chris Hoy
- Denise Lewis
- Fred Sirieix
- Jessica Ennis-Hill
- Kate Richardson-Walsh
- Katherine Grainger
- Laura Kenny
- Mark Foster
- Michael Johnson
- Nicola Adams
- Rebecca Adlington
- Tonia Couch
Radio:
- Adrian Chiles
- Eleanor Oldroyd
- Kelly Cates
- Mark Chapman
- Naga Munchetty
- Tony Livesey