Stop talking please Paula!

[NigelHarmansNewWife]

Goodness me - watching the Beeb's coverage of the athletics. Commentators are Paula Radcliffe and Steve Cram. Will someone please let Paula know it's not Just a Minute and she can pause for breath?! Endless gabbling.

There are many female commentators and presenters who are excellent. Gabby Logan, Jess Ennis-Hill and Denise Lewis are great. Claire Balding - knowledgeable on many sports and a pro.

Paula should do her commentary in French

m.youtube.com/watch?v=oB6Uin37m1w&pp=ygUfUGF1bGEgdGFkY2xpZmZlIHNwZWFraW5nIGZyZW54aA%3D%3D

I agree. She’s so dull.

I think they’re all pretty great. The BBC = quality. I adore Steve C, Andrew, Colin and Paula. And the four in the studio are brilliant. Jaz Sawyers is a revelation and works so well with Steve B.

I’ve learnt loads from Laura and Chris about cycling, from Beth about gymnastics, and from Bianca about taekwondo.

I get why Paula’s breathiness might grate but it doesn’t bother me.

I have enjoyed all the commentators this year but Paula Radcliffe doesn’t stop for breath and I keep willing her to stop. I like all four in the studio, I enjoyed the swimming commentaries and I love Colin Jackson.

Eurosport didn't chatter during any of the gymnastics routines - you got the info at the end. It was so much better.

Love love Michael, Gabby et Al.

I must be the only one who wasn't overly fond of Becky, always almost in tears. Also love Laura Kenny, very funny and just enthusiastic.

I've honestly thought that Paula has a sore throat? I mentioned to DH that she shouldn't be talking so much and perhaps straining her voice. But have to agree she is rather dour and brittle to watch.

Yes I find Paula's breathiness while commentating annoying - I didn't realise she was like that all the time, I thought she just had a cold or something! But her commentary has been good 🤷🏻‍♀️ I have loved Jessica, Denise and Michael in studio. Chappers couldn't look more disinterested 🙄 I loved listening to Laura Kenny, so interesting to hear all the insight of training and prep, not bad at all for her first go at punditry!

Another one who finds Paula really annoying with her gasping for breath. Also, I can't stand Christine Still, the gymnastics commentator. Something about her really grates. DD pointed out that she described the white gymnasts as "graceful" or "elegant" whereas the black ones were "powerful". After DD's comment, I listened carefully and there was a definite difference.

On the other hand, I loved Becky Adlington with Mark Foster, plus Jess E-H, Michael J and Denise L whose comments are thoughtful and intelligent. I'm not a fan of Laura Kenny's accent, but her enthusiasm and knowledge have enhanced my viewing experience.

I watched the Community Shield this afternoon - the ITV commentators truly are dire. Ally McCoist and Roy Keane spout utter biased drivel. I'm too poor/mean to pay for Sky or TNT so no longer have to endure the name-mangling of some of the former players they dredge up. However, I love radio sports commentary, especially TMS - Isa Guha is excellent on there.

This.

You don't have to think someone is good just because they are a woman.

Because - at the Olympics, this time, on BBC - the men I have been listening to have all been good.

If you want me to tell you male sports commentators or pundits I don't like, I can do that easily (Alan Shearer being top of the list, but the disastrous inclusion of Wayne Rooney at the Euros comes close) - but they aren't working at the Olympic games, which is what this thread is about.

Post after post has said how good so many of the women working at the Olympics are so good. People aren't putting 'women' down at all. People have listened to a couple of dozen presenters and commentators and are praising those who in their opinion are really great, and saying they find others difficult to listen to. You know, like people do in a discussion - offer their opinions.

Loving Laura and Chris on the bbc this morning - so much knowledge about cycling and they work well together - neither are vying to be 'the' expert.

Paula is the most annoying person to listen too as for her doing commentary is a bad idea.

I presume you mean within the Olympics commentary team. I've heard many more annoying people than her. Stacey Dooley tops the list and Catherine Tyldesley (Babe ...) is another. Sara Cox gets a vote. Even Laura Kenny's voice is annoying (not the content of what she says). Fara Williams drives me nuts. Gary Lineker is shocking. Not so much his voice just himself as a package. I used to find Katherine Merry very jolly hockey sticks sort of irritating but she's not been on for a while.