Lucy Renshall suffered a heartbreaking elimination in her judo event at the Paris Olympics with the BBC criticised for their ‘cruel’ interview with the Briton just moments after her defeat.
Resnshall, a four-time British champion, suffered a shock opening round defeat in Tokyo three years ago but arrived in Paris with fresh optimism in her chase for a medal.
She began her 63kg campaign in the French capital with a dominant round of 32 victory against Australia’s Katharina Haecker, feeding her into a last 16 meeting with Lubjana Piovesana – a former Team GB athlete now representing Austria.
With the two unable to be separated, a tight contest entered a golden score [or sudden death] period with Piovesana scoring the point that sent her into the quarter-finals of the competition.
A devastated Renshall was interviewed by BBC Sport moments after the contest had ended.
Wiping away tears and struggling to her words out, she told the broadcaster: ‘Judo is such a cruel sport. The last 12 weeks have probably been the best 12 weeks of training I’ve done before. I felt like I had more to give.’
Asked if there was anything you could be proud of in her performance despite the defeat, she continued, ‘not really,’ before breaking down in tears again. ‘I came here for a medal. So no. Not really.’
The BBC interviewer offered a comforting tap on the shoulder and praised Renshall for her ‘brilliant job’ but social media users were not impressed with the timing of the interview.
@Ted246 wrote: ‘BBC are proper shameless. Interviewing Lucy Renshall whilst she’s still in tears after she loses.’
@northwesthammer added: ‘Crikey BBC, give the lass a moment to compose herself… rather than sticking the camera in Lucy Renshall’s face seconds after she lost her match. Have some respect. She’s distraught.
@andycouhglin said: ‘Inappropriate for @BBCSport to interview v upset Lucy Renshall. Why keep asking her questions?
@alternatethough added: ‘The BBC interviewing olympians who are clearly distraught seems slightly cruel. The interview with Lucy Renshall was heartbreaking to watch.
MiltMonster said: ‘The interviews with Lucy Renshall was a tough watch. There are times when the broadcaster should exercise some discretion. Lucy was clearly devastated. At least console her and tell her you’ll give her a minute.’
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