“What the Actual Fu**”: Gymnastics Community Fuming After Proof of NBC Prioritizing Athletes Surfaces

Simone Biles performed impeccably at the elite senior women’s gymnastics at the Core Hydration Classic, a star-studded event. However, viewers quickly noticed NBC’s “hideously shameful” bias and providing Biles with maximum coverage, whereas others’ routines were cut short. Joining Biles were stars Suni Lee and Gabby Douglas, as well as a total of 13 medalists from the Olympics and the Worlds, who had their air time shortened. The network has been called out for being neglectful towards showcasing other gymnasts’ routines and scores. This has led to a widespread controversy, with Biles caught in the crossfire. 

Recently, a Twitter post shared a picture of the whole rundown of how the Core Hydration Classics that took place last Saturday was shot. The user captioned the post, writing, “Guysssss they already plan ahead of time what they’re showing (peep the Simone waiting segment) 🙃🙃”. The picture was first posted by Samantha Peszek who is a retired Olympian and an NBC and ESPN broadcaster.

NBC came under fire after CHC over its favoritism towards Simone Biles. Though 8 gold medallists from the Worlds and Olympics were present, NBC gave Biles maximum air time in a bid to increase engagement. Some even pointed out that it was completely unacceptable to show only two routines from the second runner-up when Simone’s hand tape being cut was aired. 

NBC’s coverage of Biles was deemed disrespectful to other senior athletes. Many say that it totally overshadowed the performances of other gymnasts. However, it is true that Biles won the competition with an all-around score of 59.500. The event proved to be very interesting as Suni Lee won the balance beam with a score of 14.600, and Gabby Douglas withdrew because she struggled with the uneven bars.

But NBC’s coverage did no justice to the thrill of the event as they kept focusing back on Biles. In the past, NBC has justified itself by saying that most of the revenue earned by IOC is through NBC. IOC then puts this money toward supporting international sports federations and NOC. That is why NBC has to ensure maximum people tune in, but most followers of the sport are still heavily disappointed. 

Gymnastics world unhappy with the perceived favoritism

The gymnastics community is not happy about the Simone Biles bias. They have come forward to express their opinions clearly under the post. One fan felt disillusioned and betrayed by this blatant favoritism by NBC that undermines the hard work and dedication of so many talented gymnasts.

One fan expressed genuine anger towards the scheduled coverage and the consistent lack of fair treatment in media and pointed out the frustration for people who invest their time and passion into gymnastics.

Among the buzzing excitement of the fans, it’s heartening to see fans rallying behind gymnasts like Paris Scenic, highlighting the deep connection fans have with athletes who have captivated them since their junior days. So, one sentiment stood out and wished for something more positive.

Including former world and Olympic champions automatically at trials honors their legacy and boosts the competitive field with their experience and skill. Considering this, the next fan was buzzing with excitement, discussing the fairness and implications of the proposed changes to qualification rules.

It’s disheartening to see such a lack of respect for gymnastics’ knowledgeable and passionate fanbase. Amidst the widespread enthusiasm for gymnastics, the last fan voiced a common frustration on Twitter, laying out NBC’s missteps and highlighting the disconnect between the sport’s immense popularity and the quality of coverage it receives.

This revelation has sparked outrage, calling into question the integrity of NBC’s coverage and demanding fair treatment for all athletes. The outcry for transparency and impartiality grows louder as fans and athletes alike seek to ensure a level playing field in the spotlight of the Paris Olympics.