• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Ex-Olympian defends herself after Olympic commentary sparked major backlash from viewers

Home> News

Updated 13:54 1 Aug 2024 GMT+1Published 13:53 1 Aug 2024 GMT+1

Ex-Olympian defends herself after Olympic commentary sparked major backlash from viewers

Viewers watching Laurie Hernandez's Olympics commentary said she 'needs to watch herself'

Mia Williams

Mia Williams

Featured Image Credit: Lars Baron/Getty Images/Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images

Topics: Olympics, Sport

Mia Williams
Mia Williams

Advert

Advert

Advert

Retired Olympian and commentator Laurie Hernandez has had to defend her on-air claims after she received backlash from viewers.

Laurie, a retired Olympic gymnast who bagged both a gold and silver medal at Rio 2016, has been providing valuable commentary for NBC and Peacock's Paris Olympics coverage on the US women's gymnastics team final.

But some of her claims have caused quite the stir online, despite most viewers saying she did 'a great job'.

In fact, she sparked such a backlash that she asked on Twitter for people to stop tagging her in negative opinions about herself.

Advert

Laurie received hate for her commentary online. (Instagram/@lauriehernandez)
Laurie received hate for her commentary online. (Instagram/@lauriehernandez)

She said: "Had such a blast commentating the competition tonight.

"What a night!

"Also - everyone is entitled to their own opinion (obviously), but if the opinion related to me and is unkind, please don’t tag me in it (contrary to popular belief, I do see it)."

Advert

Not only was she a gymnast competing in the games herself, she also competed alongside Simone Biles, who is currently representing Team USA in Paris.

Meaning that in theory - she should be giving some real insider knowledge.

But some fans weren't happy with her educational commentary after she informed viewers about the so-called 'domino effect' that happens in professional gymnastics.

Speaking on-air, she said: "When one gymnast falls, falls tend to follow with gymnasts that come after," Laurie noted during the broadcast, after Jordan Chiles fell off the balance beam during her routine.

Advert

"So, it's really important for Suni to hit her routine and set up that good energy coming in for the next gymnast."

She has also competed with Simone Biles. (Instagram/@lauriehernandez)
She has also competed with Simone Biles. (Instagram/@lauriehernandez)

But some came for Laurie, suggesting she was 'such a hater' and 'so negative'.

One user wrote: "For every nice thing Laurie Hernandez has to say about Suni Lee, she has about ten critiques or pure silence to follow.

Advert

"She needs to watch herself."

But many fans came to her defence, saying that her commentary was very educational.

One noted: "She does a great job of explaining really specific technicalities of the sport while also weaving in important narratives.

"This is how you get people interested in the sport beyond a surface level."

Advert

Another said: "It's like watching at home with your really enthusiastic, really knowledgeable best friend.

"She educates you, and you share in her excitement."

One fan wanted to see more commentary from Laurie in other fields, after asking: "Does she know enough to do other sports?"

Choose your content:

5 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images
    5 mins ago

    ‘Cryptic meaning’ behind engravings found on bullets used to fatally shoot Charlie Kirk

    The FBI revealed more details of Charlie Kirk's assassination during a press conference last week

    News
  • Chet Strange/Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Neighbours of Charlie Kirk’s assassination suspect Tyler Robinson speak out about his family

    22-year-old Tyler Robinson was named as a suspect in the shooting of Charlie Kirk

    News
  • Cameron Smith/Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Prince Harry issues brutal remark about exposing Royal Family 'secrets' amid King Charles reunion

    The Duke of Sussex met with his father, King Charles III, at the monarch's London residence Clarence House last week

    News
  • Utah’s governor’s office
    2 hours ago

    Authorities issue major update as Charlie Kirk's assassination suspect Tyler Robinson remains in custody

    Officials have shared more information about Tyler Robinson following the shooting of Charlie Kirk

    News
  • MAFS UK’s Hannah takes subtle swipe at husband after latest episode sparked backlash from viewers
  • Olympian banned after competing at Paris Olympics because he broke little known rule in his sport
  • Chrissy Teigen defends herself after ‘coconut milk bath’ image with kids sparks backlash
  • Millionaire CEO’s apology after ‘stealing’ from child during US Open sparks one major question