BBC in painful 8-second blunder on live TV just moments after Team GB’s Toby Roberts, 19, wins gold at Paris Olympics
TOBY ROBERTS won Great Britain’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in climbing in Paris.
The 19-year-old soared to victory in the men’s boulder and lead event, leaving viewers and commentators in awe.
BBC Sport presenters Jeanette Kwakye and JJ Chalmers were keen to sing his praises live from the studio before reporter Tim Warwood spoke to him at Le Bourget Climbing Venue.
In a quick interview, Roberts said: “I am just lost for words. To find out that I had got the gold in that moment was truly incredible.
“I have been training for this moment my whole life. To say it hasn’t sunk in is an understatement.
“I imagine later it will be a flood of emotions. It is a goal I have been training towards for like 10 years.”
But shortly after the interview, BBC One was hit by a very brief technical issue.
Kwakye asked Warwood about silver medallist Sorato Anraku, but the question didn’t get across to the ex-professional snowboarder, who just continued to stare down the camera.
The presenters realised after about eight seconds and Chalmers quipped: “I think we might have [lost connection] or he’s really thinking about his answer.”
Roberts won Team GB’s 14th gold of the Games after a brilliant performance in the lead element saw him jump from third to first in the standings.
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He was helped by heavy favourite Sorato Anraku of Japan slipping with seconds left in his routine.
Team GB are now level with hosts France in terms of gold medals, with Katarina Johnson-Thompson on the verge of adding to that tally in the heptathlon.