Fans are buzzing about a potential X-rated slip-up by BBC presenter Clare Balding during live coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympics. While hosting the swimming events from La Defense Arena, the 53-year-old presenter has been keeping viewers informed about other happenings at the Games in the French capital.
On Monday, Balding highlighted the remarkable comeback of Team GB's cycling star, Tom Pidcock. The 24-year-old Leeds-born athlete secured his second consecutive men's cross-country mountain biking gold medal after overcoming a flat tyre. However, as Balding referenced the star's name on air, some viewers were convinced she said "Big" rather than "Pid" when pronouncing his surname.
Social media quickly lit up with speculation about the supposed blunder. One fan wrote: "Has someone been messing with the autocue?" Another exclaimed: "She really said it didn't she?! Clare Balding - you minx!!" While a third simply posted: "DID CLARE BALDING JUST SAY...?"
Despite the excitement surrounding the alleged slip-up, it remains unclear whether Balding actually mispronounced Pidcock's name.
Pidcock, who had to withdraw from the Tour de France earlier this month after contracting Covid, showed immense grit and determination in the face of adversity. He faced a 40-second deficit at the halfway point of Monday's race but powered his way to a thrilling victory.
His audacious overtaking move on French favourite Victor Koretzky, however, elicited boos from the crowd. Pidcock, visibly emotional after his triumph, referenced the jeers while speaking to the BBC's Hazel Irvine.
"It wasn't easy," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "I'm keeping my glasses on for a reason!"
"The Olympics is so special. You never give up, in everything, and that's what I had to do," he continued. "I knew that Victor was going to be super fast in the last lap, even if I couldn't get rid of him. So I knew it was going to be a big, big fight."
Commenting on his overtaking move, Pidcock said: "He left a gap, so I had to go for it. That's racing, some people might view it differently."
"I wanted to show what sport is, not giving up. It's a shame the French were booing me, but you know..."
While Balding's potential slip-up continues to generate online chatter, there's no doubt that Tom Pidcock's inspirational gold medal win has cemented his place as one of the most exciting and resilient athletes in Team GB.
