BBC Olympics fury as 'negative' and 'patronising' commentary on Team GB medal win slammed

It came as Team GB's Helen Glover, Esme Booth, Sam Redgrave and Rebecca Shorten won a silver medal in the women's four.

Despite the tantalisingly close finish, Grainger and Pinsent gave a very critical analysis of the performance, which frustrated viewers.

Immediately after the Dutch win, Pinsent commented: "They [Team GB] were unable to take it up and the Dutch did a great job."

The former rower and broadcaster continued: "Both of these groups would have watched that quads race yesterday, both of those would have been training and you can see the proximity, the closeness between the two boats as they started to come in towards the line - the Dutch just had that answer.

"And that answer was there because they believed in themselves and they put themselves in the right position and they put Team GB under pressure."

The 53-year-old went on to remark: "It looked like Team GB, during the early rounds of this, had a lack of spark - we were hoping it was going to come out today and it did but it just wasn't enough.

"The Dutch felt that early and it showed there, they were able to put themselves in that red zone."

Grainger later agreed: "Yes, we have favoured boats and favoured lanes but it's about how you deliver that 2,000 metres.

"I felt watching it that what we've seen from the women's four for Great Britain before is in that third 500, they have really pushed away from the field, they have such a brilliant length and rhythm and confidence and seem to assert their control at that length of the race - they didn't do it here."

The former rower and current Chair of UK Sport added: "And whether the Dutch raised their level and could match it, or the Brits didn't get to the level we usually seem them at... It's a surprise."

Many watching the coverage were left outraged by what they deemed "negative" commentary by the two.

Taking to X, one person fumed: "Get Pinset off the air. He is negative and derogatory about GB rowers who don't get Gold despite them obviously giving 100 per cent in the race and losing by a very small margin."

"I agree 100 per cent. I found him very patronising and belittling suggesting the rowers hadn’t given their all with anything less than gold. I was shouting at the TV!" another shared.

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A third admitted: "Couldn’t agree more, just turned off as I’ve had enough of the arrogance, entitlement and negativity. When did we become so negative about Olympic silver and bronze medals? Some of the commentary and interviews are painful to watch. Don't ask them 'what it is like to lose out.'"

"Who is the negative man commentating on the rowing on the BBC (not Matt Pinsent)?! #BBCOlympics So the gold medal yesterday wasn't won by the best rowers?? Has he ever competed in an Olympics? #Paris2024 @BBCSport #BeKind (Moe Sbihi)," another remarked.

"@BBC commentators need to have a word with themselves. Saying '...only a couple of strokes between ecstasy and where the GB rowers find themselves, in silver medal position'. It's a phenomenal achievement & it's being squashed time after time at the @Paris2024," someone else argued.

"#BBCOlympics getting thoroughly sick of the BBC commentators constantly fishing for an emotional reaction from the athletes. At the moment they’re wondering whether the rowers will be happy after they came third and smile at their families FFS," (sic) added someone else.