The Conversation (0)
Greg Evans
Jul 26, 2021
The outspoken broadcaster and journalist Piers Morgan has sparked controversy on social media after he claimed that “nobody cares about these Covid-ravaged Olympics.”
Morgan said on Sunday that he felt “sorry for all the athletes still trying to live their Olympic dream” in Tokyo. He also tagged gold medallist Adam Peaty, claiming that the swimmer shares the same sentiment, before concluding that the games should have “either further postponed or cancelled” until the pandemic is under control.
Although the athletes are competing in front have largely empty stadiums and arenas, which is no doubt difficult, many – including the BBC’s Gary Lineker and Gabby Logan, as well as actual Olympians – claimed that the games are inspiring people at a time when we all need it the most.
@piersmorgan I think you are wrong Piers. I think some people do care. You might not, but I don’t think you speak for everyone.— Gabby Logan (@Gabby Logan) 1627220454
You’re wrong on this one. It’s exhilarating, uplifting and inspiring. Exactly what’s needed in these most depressin… https://t.co/k42pdDyXZx— Gary Lineker 💙 (@Gary Lineker 💙) 1627288327
@piersmorgan @adam_peaty If you had trained for 4-5 years for this opportunity you would realize it has importance— liz mccolgan (@liz mccolgan) 1627234688
@piersmorgan @adam_peaty I'm living the olympic dream don't worry! If you don't care about the Olympics, maybe just… https://t.co/hwZvRJuaR6— Marcus Ellis (@Marcus Ellis) 1627262541
You might not care about the #Olympics but this morning proved once again that a lot of people do. If you really f… https://t.co/6R2bb8ay8D— Dan Walker (@Dan Walker) 1627292063
Totally disagree. Something very special about so many athletes dealing with so much and the best coming through it… https://t.co/LBIrjwZveF— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@ALASTAIR CAMPBELL) 1627284898
This is looking like an even worse take today, than it did yesterday. https://t.co/sSlsBmbXH3— Ben Winston (@Ben Winston) 1627287568
Of course, there were a few individuals who agreed with Morgan who later decided to double down on his comments by insulting athletes who won a bronze medal which he believes is not worth of “national celebration.” Bit rich coming from an Arsenal fan...
a) I believe everything I say until or if new facts change my mind. b) I'm 100% behind our @TeamGB athletes in Tok… https://t.co/zetQOktzZM— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1627223720
Jugs, you find opening a crisp packet uplifting & inspiring. It's great to see @TeamGB athletes win Gold medals, no… https://t.co/Xyl8fD1k1C— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1627289085
His bronze medal remark would undoubtedly get him on to the podium for bad takes and provoked a furious backlash.
To be in the top 3 in the entire world in your sport is an outstanding achievement. https://t.co/8QVTuHtWVX— Gary Lineker 💙 (@Gary Lineker 💙) 1627290683
@piersmorgan @TeamGB How is a bronze medal at the olympics not worthy of celebration?— Daniel Lewis (@Daniel Lewis) 1627289563
@piersmorgan @TeamGB Straight to the insults when someone makes a better point than you……— MattLumsden (@MattLumsden) 1627289123
The closest this man has come to being a "real sporting champion" is when he was assistant manager to Harry Redknap… https://t.co/1Y3t6Mqz5Z— Jonny Sharples (@Jonny Sharples) 1627292477
@piersmorgan Why are you like this?— Femi (@Femi) 1627294228
This you? https://t.co/phMeKXWwI2 https://t.co/UDJqRvEkVS— Jay Motty (@Jay Motty) 1627294300
You celebrate your achievements every day and you’re not even the 3rd best broadcaster in Britain, let alone the wo… https://t.co/6fBaKv5IfM— Shelagh Fogarty 💚 (@Shelagh Fogarty 💚) 1627294270
@piersmorgan All coming from a man who celebrated being on the 2nd most viewed breakfast show and took personal pri… https://t.co/o76vF6eDx8— Hugh Nibloe (@Hugh Nibloe) 1627293287
Morgan was really on one on Monday and decided to use diver Tom Daley, who had just won a gold medal, to take a pop at those struggling to overcome mental health issues. He had also earlier criticised the German women’s gymnastics team, who are protesting the sexualisation of their sport by wearing unitards at the Olympics, when he shared a picture of Daley and his diving partner Matty Lee saying it was “shocking & shameful that male divers have to wear such overtly sexualising skimpy briefs at the Olympics.”
So right… been saying it for years. Kids need to be taught mental strength & resilience, not encouraged to wallow i… https://t.co/6jBFX1xtr8— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1627291223
Shocking & shameful that male divers have to wear such overtly sexualising skimpy briefs at the Olympics. I demand… https://t.co/t7qkt21TkC— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1627280558
As you can see from the amount of interactions Logan got from her tweet compared to Morgan’s, you’d have to conclude that he might have come second in this debate.
Now I’m not one to keep score, but given I have a tiny following compared to the Twitter Goliath that is… https://t.co/gWDQdzaeQS— Gabby Logan (@Gabby Logan) 1627291590
`ll we can say is that Morgan has another two weeks of the Olympics to put up with so, for his own sake, he might be better just sitting there and enjoying it like everyone else.