Gabby Logan makes feelings clear on Paris Olympics closing ceremony with brutal dig amid backlash
Gabby Logan didn't appear to be a fan of the Paris Olympics closing ceremony
BBC
Gabby Logan has taken to social media to share her thoughts on the Paris Olympics 2024 closing ceremony.
The four-hour-long event aired on the BBC in the UK and while Logan has been a familiar face throughout the corporation's coverage, Clare Balding was the presenter tasked with overseeing proceedings.
And there were a number of talking points from the final night of the games, including more anti-Christian backlash to some of the performances on show and Balding's outfit causing a stir with viewers.
Elsewhere, Tom Cruise made an appearance to symbolise the handover to Los Angeles for the 2028 games in spectacular fashion while several musical performances from the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre also caught the eye.
Medal-winning athletes from across the globe filled the stadium as they celebrated the end of the tournament - but it's safe to say the reception at home wasn't unanimously joyous given the length of time the ceremony went on.
This irritant appeared to be shared by Logan who took to X with a post to praise BBC colleagues Andrew Cotter and Hazel Irvine for their commentary - but she couldn't resist a dig at the organisers' display.
Gabby Logan has been a familiar face throughout the BBC's coverage of the Paris Olympics
BBC
Issuing her verdict on the event, Logan penned: "Cotter and Irvine making a ‘challenging’ watch much more entertaining than it might otherwise be…"
She followed the post up with a series of praising hands and medal emojis as she applauded her colleagues for providing levity to the "challenging" watch.
Logan was soon inundated with remarks from her followers that echoed her sentiment, similarly praising Cotter and Irvine but branding the ceremony as akin to "watching paint dry".
"Challenging is a very kind way to put it," one fan replied. "Andrew Cotter went for the Terry Wogan approach, with great success."
Cotter and Irvine making a ‘challenging’ watch much more entertaining than it might otherwise be….🙌🏻🙌🏻🧡🏅
— Gabby Logan (@GabbyLogan) August 11, 2024
A second similarly weighed in: "They’ve been great, as per. Also, very diplomatic way of saying this has been ‘awful’, Gabby!"
Another commented: "They’re brilliant. Andrew is an excellent commentator. This is worse than watching paint dry! Hoping there’ll be a Celine Dion moment at the end."
"Andrew Cotter is one of the most underrated commentators out there. Truly superb at everything he turns his hand to," a fourth echoed.
And a fifth stated: "I'm glad Andrew and Hazel get to be dry humour. They are both brilliant broadcasters but they get this time to voice what we are thinking and add their own bit to it to make us laugh and enjoy something that is a bit meh."
While a sixth found the "challenging watch" a bit too much as they replied: "They are great but sadly I had to turn off it was so disappointing. Sport fantastic... Open/Closing could do better." (sic)
Logan didn't take part in the Beeb's coverage of the closing ceremony but was on hand to deliver some "sad" news about the future of one of her colleagues at the BBC over the weekend.
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Clare Balding was tasked with presenting the closing ceremony for BBC viewers
BBCLogan halted proceedings on Saturday to reveal Denise Lewis would be leaving the corporation's athletics coverage.
She told viewers: "We end our programme tonight on a bit of sad news, because this is Dame Denise Lewis' final programme with us here on BBC Sport.
"I can't believe I'm even saying those words. After 15 years of working with the BBC and the athletics team, you are taking up a new role as president of UK Athletics."
"I am, yes," Lewis replied before adding: "And it's a sad farewell to my team, because you know I love working with you guys. And we've got a great production - as you know, best floor manager in the world."