Piers Morgan made a comment about Olympic medals meaning nothing unless they are gold – a statement that has caused mass outrage and uproar.
The no-nonsense former Good Morning Britain presenter, who has a reputation for speaking his mind, no matter how controversial, tweeted: “Real sporting champions don’t celebrate coming 3rd.”
His comments riled up many former Olympians and sports stars, with one even offering to fight him.
Former professional boxer and three-time Olympian Paddy Barnes replied to Piers’ tweet, writing: “Piers, ill fight you for my Bronze medals.”
Paddy, the Irish athlete won bronze in both Beijing in 2008 and London 2012.
(Image: Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock)
Another boxer to win bronze in Beijing was Great Britain’s Tony Jeffries. And, like Paddy, he also took to Twitter to call out the presenter.
The light-heavyweight medallist and undefeated former professional quote tweeted a comment made by Piers in which the presenter said “no real champion” would feel comfortable having a silver or bronze medal in their trophy cabinet.
(Image: Irish Mirror)
Tony snapped back: “What you got in your trophy cabinet champ? @piersmorgan,” and posted an unflattering image of Piers asleep on a sun lounger.
But singer Brian McFadden tweeted Piers, agreeing with the controversial presenter somewhat: “I had dinner at a multi gold medal winners house before. They’ll remain unnamed. They won multiple gold medals and a bronze. They had all the golds on display but the bronze was in a drawer.”
Piers quoted Brian’s tweet and said: “Of course… no true champion wants to be reminded of losing.”
Meagan Duhamel, a bronze-winning Canadian pair skater, said: “I feel pretty comfortable with my bronze medal thank you very much. ‘Winning’ means different things to different people!”
To which Piers responded: “Winning means coming 1st, not 3rd…. get out of your comfort zone Meagan!”
(Image: PA)
Former British heptathlete Kelly Sotherton also got in on the action, as did presenters Gary Lineker and Gabby Logan.
Kelly, who won three bronze medals in total, put a rolling eyes emoji as she responded to a comment by Piers in which he said he was “100% behind the British athletes in Tokyo”.
She wrote: “But then don’t celebrate anything other than gold … ok piers fully behind @TeamGB.”
The presenter tried to make a joke of her response by apologising and calling her a “serial bronzer”.
She then hit back at the no nonsense host with: “Don’t be sorry…. I’m not. I’m very honoured that you have spent the time to find out I’ve won bronze medals. That’s a win …”
Piers responded to the backlash he faced throughout the day, tweeting: “Getting a lot of Silver and Bronze medal-winning Olympians berating me for saying only Gold matters. But no Gold medal-winners. Funny that!”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
