An Olympics commentator in Canada has apologised to viewers after mistaking 22-time gold medallist Michael Phelps for his arch rival, Ryan Lochte, on live television.
Spectators watching the 200m individual medley event on Canada’s CBC channel on Thursday night were left confused after the commentator, Elliotte Friedman, called the whole race mistaking Lochte for Phelps.
Lololol, CBC commentators mixed up their USA lanes and were SCREAMING about Lochte winning #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/7N2ccxMMMB
— Bryan (@NachoHelmet) August 12, 2016
@alisonmah @edsbs pic.twitter.com/X6FRyf2R7J
— StockyardsOnionRings (@stkydonionrings) August 12, 2016
LOL moment of the Games!
— Ed Hunter (@EdwardJWHunter) August 12, 2016
"CBC commentator got muddled, yelped “Phelps might not even make the podium!” ... "
Phelps finished easily ahead of his countryman and rival, securing his 22nd gold medal, although CBC’s audience was led to believe Lochte led the race.
“Ryan Lochte is going for his 13th career medal, saving the best for last,” said Friedman. “Finally, he’s going to do it.
“Ryan Lochte is going to beat Michael Phelps in this event in the games and Phelps might not even make the podium.”
The mix-up understandably caused some confusion.
LOL CBC JUST THOUGHT PHELPS WAS LOCHTE AND CALLED THE WHOLE THING LIKE THIS WAS THE RACE OF LOCHTE’S LIFE AHHHH
— Alison Mah (@alisonmah) August 12, 2016
Feel bad for the CBC broadcaster who mixed up Phelps and Lochtes lanes. Like when youre playing Mario Kart 4 player & look at the wrong box
— KFC (@KFCBarstool) August 12, 2016
Friedman apologised on Twitter after the race. A Canadian sports journalist, he is best known as a hockey reporter for Sportsnet.
I'm sorry everyone. I blew it. No excuses
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 12, 2016
The to-the-point but apparently heartfelt message received an overwhelmingly sympathetic response.
For all the Americans who are RT-ing: Please do not judge Elliotte Friedman for one bad call. He’s great. We all love him over here.
— Alison Mah (@alisonmah) August 12, 2016
@FriedgeHNIC everyone in our business knows that feeling. Not everyone would handle it with the class and honesty you did.
— Bob Weeks (@BobWeeksTSN) August 12, 2016
@FriedgeHNIC the bigger story is how well you've done these games. Have really enjoyed listening to you the past week.
— JD Bunkis (@JDBunkis) August 12, 2016
@FriedgeHNIC shake it off Elliot. Your work is so good we can take one of these.
— Tom Clark (@tomclarktv) August 12, 2016
@FriedgeHNIC Elliote. We've not met. But we heard from all in Canada how amazing you are. Such an easy mistake to make. You'lll ride again
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) August 12, 2016
@FriedgeHNIC Hey pal. With everything you've accomplished in this business, you have NOTHING to apologize for. Hang in there.
— Hugh Burrill (@hughwburrill) August 12, 2016
@FriedgeHNIC I couldn't tell either for the first three lengths. Honest mistake!
— Molly Knight (@molly_knight) August 12, 2016
