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'What's for tea?' BBC's Chris Boardman moves to clarify 'sexist' comment about Olympic gold medalist Laura Trott

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By Rebecca Stewart, Trends Editor

August 17, 2016 | 5 min read

BBC Sports commentator Chris Boardman has come under fire from viewers for a seemingly “sexist” comment he made about Rio 2016 gold medal winner Laura Trott.

LAURA TROTT BBC SEXISM JASON KENNY

BBC commentator Boardman has been crticised for his comments about Trott / BBC

Trott, now Britain’s most successful female Olympic athlete of all-time, joined her partner and fellow cyclist Jason Kenny in the Rio Velodrome yesterday after he too scooped gold at the Games.

As the couple celebrated their success Boardman could be heard saying in the background: “‘She’s [Trott] doing all the emotion for him – he’s [Kenny] looking at her wondering what’s for tea!”

Viewers took to Twitter and Facebook to express their dismay at the perceived “casual sexism,” questioning why the Boardman had implied that Trott would be making Kenny’s dinner for him

Boardman was quick to clarify what he meant by the comments, taking to Twitter shortly after the incident to say his off the cuff remarks had "nothing to do with gender."

His partner, Sally Boardman, also expressed support for him.

This is not the first time a BBC presenter covering Rio has been accused of sexism. John Inverdale, who has had a series of blunders throughout the Games, was corrected earlier this week by Andy Murray after telling the tennis ace he was the "first person ever" to win two Olympic gold medals in the sport.

“I think Venus and Serena [Williams] have won about four each,” corrected Murray.

The BBC branded the comment as a "simple error," and has said it will stand by the host.

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