NBC commentator Todd Richards was caught on a hot mic while calling the men’s snowboarding big air finals at the Winter Olympics, as his comments went out on live TV
NBC commentator Todd Richards found himself at the centre of an embarrassing on-air blunder during the Winter Olympics when a live microphone caught him describing the men’s snowboarding big air finals as ‘so boring’. The former professional snowboarder was commentating on the big air finals in Italy for Comcast’s streaming service Peacock on Saturday when the cringe-worthy incident occurred.
Seemingly under the impression that the broadcast had cut to a commercial break, the 56-year-old was heard saying: “That was boring. That was so boring. Qualifier was way more exciting.”
In the competition itself, Japan’s Kira Kimura and Ryoma Kimata claimed gold and silver medals respectively, while China’s Su Yiming – the defending champion – finished with bronze. American teenager Ollie Martin, 17, came agonisingly close to a medal in fourth position.
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Nevertheless, Richards stands by his assessment that the finals were lacking in excitement – despite not intending to share those views live on air.
In a lengthy video statement posted to Instagram, he wrote: “Figured I should address the ‘hot mic’ moment after the event.
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“This is nothing I wouldn’t say to a reporter or in public. It was my opinion based on what I saw in the qualifier vs the final medal round.
“Not one word I said had anything to do with a rider in this event.
“I feel like I shouldn’t have to say that, but I am. They all rule.”
Richards’ notorious on-air blunder happened during his sixth stint as a Winter Olympics commentator.
Born in Massachusetts, Richards represented Team USA in snowboarding at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, when the sport made its Olympic debut. He won numerous championships throughout his professional career.
Known as a ‘pioneer of the halfpipe’, Richards introduced skateboarding techniques to the discipline. In September last year, he was inducted into the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.
The Winter Olympics action continues on Sunday, with Czech world champion Ester Ledecka aiming to become the first snowboarder to win three consecutive Olympic titles.
Meanwhile, legendary American skier Lindsey Vonn, 41, will compete in the women’s downhill event despite suffering an ACL rupture last week.
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