Which Presenters/Commentators have stood out for you during the Olympics?....

[Gregory2Smith1]

Class with their knowledge and/or non-arrogant presenting:

Balding
Ian Thorpe
Redgrave
Denise Lewis
Michael Johnson
Colin Jackson
Topolski
Herbert
Boardman
Hugh Porter

Boring & predictably wheeled out by the BBC:
Inverdale (should stick to rugby union)
Lineker

this

would include gabby logan too,in the long list,of course

 

[Wardy]

Have to say Matt Baker impressed me. When I first saw he was doing the gymnastics I thought what the hell. But as it went on and I learnt that he used to be British junior champion and he proved he knew what he was talking about he grew on me.

 

[Brownstuff]

Excellent
Claire Balding
Michael Johnson
Steve Redgrave

Not so good
Gary Richardson (used to like him but his interviews with Andy Murray were useless, asking him "What did you have for breakfast this morning", "What music did you listen to before the game". I know he was trying to get an insight into what makes Murray tick but it was so tedious)
Gary Lineker (say no more)

 

[Brian Fantana]

Michael Johnson has to be one of the most articulate and insightful ex-sportsmen around.

 

[Rogero]

Hugh Porter.

 

[Cosmic Joker]

Jamie Staff was also a very good pundit in the velodrome where he helped Cav out of a few tongue-tied moments and also for the BMX.

Jill Douglas was mixed, getting off to a bad start with the interviews at the end of the Men's road race but better as the fortnight went on. Agree that Clare Balding was one of the best overall. Jake Humphrey decent in an unobtrusive way.

Worst commentator by a country mile is Lawro. He is the reason why I have watched very little of the football. Every time I switch to football match I hear Lawro droning on negatively and making cynical side comments, sucking the joy out of my soul. I can take up to about 30 seconds max before I think "f*** this" and switch to the hockey or basketball or diving or whatever is on and Lawro-free

 

[Butch Willykins]

Worst commentator by a country mile is Lawro. He is the reason why I have watched very little of the football. Every time I switch to football match I hear Lawro droning on negatively and making cynical side comments, sucking the joy out of my soul. I can take up to about 30 seconds max before I think "f*** this" and switch to the hockey or basketball or diving or whatever is on and Lawro-free

100% this. Hopefully the aliens will take him back with them when they invade tonight.

 

[fleet]

Wrong thread !

 

[Titanic]

I assumed this was an Olympic closing ceremony thread. Sad that it isn't. People need to remember that they are putting things in full public view not just a bunch on mates chatting.

I'm guessing this is on the wrong thread!

 

[Napper]

just forgot actually , I happened to catch a few minutes of Garth Crooks stumbling and laughing nervously through an interview yesterday so for me he gets the wooden spoon.

 

[Butch Willykins]

he gets the wooden spoon.

He'd only eat it to be honest......

 

[Everest]

On the whole, they've all done a terrific job (apart from Lineker).

The only thing that does get on my wick, is during the medal ceremonies - esp when GB win the gold.
Why don't the commentators just shut up so we can hear the announcements and the crowd's reaction? It's all very well saying "just listen to the crowd", but we can't hear them with you prattling on.

 

[severnside gull]

Clare Balding - no question for me. Absolute star giving the perfect balance of expertise and the sheer joy and enthusiasm that comes from being a genuine sports fan.
Thorpe and Johnson by far the best pundits for me.

Lovely description of John Inverdale today as "looking like Arnold Schwartzeneger with the air let out"

 

[catfish]

Mike Costello on radio 5 is an excellent athletics commentator. Really knows his subject and has an obvious love for the sport.

 

[highway61]

I would have given Ian Thorpe top place if it had not been for the irritating "look", "look" that begins every sentence

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Clare Balding - no question for me. Absolute star giving the perfect balance of expertise and the sheer joy and enthusiasm that comes from being a genuine sports fan.
Thorpe and Johnson by far the best pundits for me.

Lovely description of John Inverdale today as "looking like Arnold Schwartzeneger with the air let out"

I've always thought John Inverdale was quite good, but I must say I've found a lot of his rowing coverage slightly annoying: too much stating the bloody obvious and "er" and "um" and other irritating pauses. Too many sports journalists seem to feel the need to approach someone who's just had a catastrophic result after years of hard work and say something insanely stupid like "That must be disappointing?". Inverdale seemed to specialise in that approach this Olympics.

Clare Balding has been the highlight for me: knowledgable, insightful, but also capable of some brilliantly human, unscripted moments, like with Chad le Clos's Dad, or during her regular programmes with Ian Thorpe.

Also found Mishal (not Michelle, gentlemen) Hussain pretty good as an anchor, Matt Baker, the cycling programme teams, and Dan Walker more than watchable. And Michael Johnson was his usual expert self.

Goes without saying that the football presenters have been the worst: Lineker, Hansen and Mark Lawrenson, who appears more and more like the televisual equivalent of a Dementor: sucking all the life and joy out of everything in his presence.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

On the whole, they've all done a terrific job (apart from Lineker).

The only thing that does get on my wick, is during the medal ceremonies - esp when GB win the gold.
Why don't the commentators just shut up so we can hear the announcements and the crowd's reaction? It's all very well saying "just listen to the crowd", but we can't hear them with you prattling on.

On a similar, if less irritating, note, I seem to recall that during just about every rowing race that GB were doing well in, Garry Herbert would scream "and the crowd are the [second/third/fifth/ninth] man in the boat!".

I think we got that, Garry, by the second race.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

For me the best Presenters have been Jake Humphrey, John Inverdale and surprisingly Michelle Hussain.

Me too. Surprised Michelle Hussain was so good

Mishal Husain (not Hussain, Edna).

 

[1066familyman]

I'd like to add handball commentator Paul Bray to the excellent list please. Clearly his sport that he knows inside out. Very very informative and keeps pace with the game superbly.

 

[robinsonsgrin]

the swimming and cycling people were topdogs for me. loved clare - was really impressed by ian thorpe.
but.,.,.jake / cav / chris / hugh and... my newest yummer - jamie staff ( love a man in specs!) were brilliant imho.
michael johnson has always been highly regarded by me.. i was amazed that he has 'adopted' us for his tv punditry.. apart from flashing the cash, how did the beeb manage to acquire him for the past few years?!
brendan and steve have always been great to listen to....

for what its worth, i think the coverage has been firstclass.. and have also thoroughly enjoyed twitter during the games.