Seven cops criticism for Olympic delay

Channel 7 is receiving criticism for its coverage of the Olympics, particularly its coverage of discus on Saturday 31 July.

By Dominique Tassell

Channel 7 is receiving criticism for its coverage of the Olympics, particularly its coverage of discus on Saturday 31 July.

Many watching the stream online commented that there was not enough focus on the discus event.

The stream coverage switched between athletics events including events that Australia was not competing in.

Allora athlete Matthew Denny’s participation in the discus event was momentous in many ways, as Australia has rarely competed in the event and has never won a medal.

Matt made it to the qualifiers last Olympics but did not make finals.

This Olympics, he threw the longest throw of any Australian discus competitor in the qualifiers alone.

TV coverage was reportedly aired almost 20 minutes after the event had finished, leaving some confused when this newspaper reported it online as it aired on the stream and broke Matt Denny’s final results nationally.

Matt Gottlieb said on Twitter: “Look, I know you want to build up the story of an athlete but showing a pre-recorded thing about Matt Denny’s gold skills instead of live shots of his actual throws in the final of the discus is absolutely mental.”

He later said “so 18 minutes after Matt Denny throws a PB to miss out on a bronze by 5cm in the discus it is shown on the main channel“.

Another Twitter user said “the Olympics coverage in this country has been horrific since…Athens?…but Channel 7 seems ever more determined than usual to kill the Games in Australia this time around“.

Tom Anderson stated online that “especially since (Matt) was in medal contention he should have been live“.

“Why show events with no Aussie participants instead?“

Channel 7 also reportedly ended the stream for the gold medal match in tennis while still in the second set.

The stream for the women’s 100m also reportedly skipped from the start to the post-race celebration.