BBC commentator brands Andy Murray ‘not macho’ for crying following historic Olympic victory
By Will Stroude
The BBC commentator at the centre of an Olympic homophobia row has come under fire for the second time in a week after branding British tennis player Andy Murray “not macho” for crying following the sport star’s historic Olympic gold medal win. Murray became the first man in history to defend an Olympic singles tennis title when he defeated Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro at the Olympic Tennis Stadium in Rio last night (August 14), and the 29-year-old couldn’t suppress his emotion as he emerged victorious from the gruelling four-hour match. However, the BBC’s Paul Hand, who who was widely condemned by viewers after making a homophobic comment during a tennis kiss-cam last week, again found himself at the centre of controversy after branding Murray’s moving celebration “not macho.” As the players gathered themselves ahead of the medal ceremony, Hand said: “We’ve had macho tennis, but not a macho response, right?” Viewers were quick to voice their anger at the comment on Twitter, with one arguing it showed sport at its “ancient white male finest”. “What exactly is a macho response to winning? It’s okay to cry,” said one Olympic fan. Another added: “A shame @BBCSport TV commentators don’t see players as ‘macho’ if they show emotions. We are in 2016.”
Well done Andy Murray. A shame @BBCSport TV commentators don’t see players as ‘macho’ if they show emotions. We are in 2016.
— Andrew Oldham (@York4Me) August 15, 2016
What exactly is a macho response to winning? It’s okay to cry. Got to laugh at the #BBCOlympics tennis commentators. #AndyMurray — Monica Lee (@MonicaBLee) August 15, 2016
There’s nothing wrong with men crying! “Not macho” says the BBC commentator. How ridiculous, why can’t #AndyMurray show emotion #Rio2016
— Kate Williams (@NewsKate) August 15, 2016
Please stop talking about how it’s not ‘macho’ to cry. #AndyMurray #bbcrio2016 #Doubleolympicchampion — Clair Parker (@ClairP1980) August 15, 2016
“We’ve had macho playing but not a macho response” on @AndyMurray crying after gold @olympics. #bbc sports at its ancient white male finest
— Faz Aziz (@fazmango) August 15, 2016
Following Hand’s kiss-cam comment last week, the BBC issued something resembling a public apology, branding the remark “ill judged”. The latest controversy comes after British newspaper The Daily Mail appeared to question the masculinity of Team GB divers Chris Mears and Jack Laugher after the pair hugged for joy following their gold medal victory in the men’s 3m synchro event last week. The paper was quick to dampen spirits when they ran a picture of Chris and Jack’s understandably zealous embrace under the headline “Steady on chaps”, before immediately contrasting it with third-placed Chinese team’s “manly” pat on the back. More stories: 9 shocking images of male Olympians hugging the Daily Mail don’t want you to see Naomi Campbell covers Attitude: The legendary supermodel’s fiercest ever moments