Sports presenting on TV was once the sole preserve of men, often wearing comfortable V-neck sweaters. Think David Coleman or Frank Bough. But the BBC has revealed that women have now well and truly caught up – and have even pushed into a lead. The broadcaster says the majority of the main presenters for its coverage of next year’s London Olympics will be female.
In the line-up of studio hosts for BBC1 and BBC2 there will be five men and six women, led by Sue Barker, Clare Balding, Hazel Irvine and Gabby Logan.
There is also a two-and-a-half hour morning slot during the Games for BBC News rising star Mishal Husain, while Sian Williams will be presenting during an early-morning slot alongside Miss Irvine.
The male presenters will come from a team comprising Bill Turnbull, Chris Hollins, Matt Baker, Jake Humphrey and Gary Lineker.
Miss Barker will be on air in a three-hour slot from 4pm to 7pm and Miss Logan will be presenting from 10.35pm onwards.
The prime-time slot, however, will still go to a man, with Match of the Day presenter Mr Lineker in charge from 7pm to 10.35pm – a time when many of the major medals will be won.
Hazel Irvine will present an early-morning Olympics slot
As well as studio presenting, Miss Balding will also be on site for swimming, diving and equestrian events.
Other ‘on-site’ presenters will be John Inverdale and former triple jumper Jonathan Edwards. Royal wedding host Huw Edwards – dubbed by insiders as ‘the voice of the Olympics’ – will lead coverage of the opening and closing ceremonies.
On BBC3, which will become an Olympics channel during the Games, the main presenters will be Manish Bhasin, Rishi Persad and Sonali Shah. Mr Humphrey will also feature.
The Olympics team was unveiled just days after a sexism row broke out over the all-male BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist.
Miss Logan and Miss Balding were among the female broadcasters who condemned the decision. Sportswomen had branded the decision ‘disgraceful’ and ‘annoying’, claiming female sporting achievements were not being given the same prominence as those of men.
Sue Barker will be on air from 4pm-7pm every day during the London Olympics
Miss Logan said on Twitter: ‘I can’t think of anything to say about there being NO women on SPOTY top ten list that is positive so I won’t say anything.’
Miss Balding tweeted: ‘If you want more coverage of female sport, SAY SO. That way, those who care can turn a rather desperate situation into something better in the long term.’
Yesterday, however, the pair took to Twitter again to reveal their happiness at being chosen for the 2012 Games.
Miss Balding said she was ‘so excited’ while Miss Logan said: ‘So thrilled that I am part of BBC Olympics coverage. We are going to have so much fun.’
Miss Husain said: ‘Really looking forward to being involved in Olympics coverage and showcasing the Games coming to our home turf.’
The BBC said the line-up had been decided before the row over the Sports Personality of the Year, which had not been a factor.
The full line-up, including radio presenters and television reporters, commentators and pundits, will be released at a later date.
The BBC said last night: ‘The 2012 talent group have been meeting for about a year and the broad sweep of the presenter line-up has been signed off in principle for a number of weeks.’
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