Chris Dixon, the TNT Sports pundit and former biathlete, has issued an apology following his comparison of Canadian curler Marc Kennedy to disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong during the Winter Olympics broadcast, reports BritPanorama.
The controversial remarks emerged during Day 11’s edition of Buongiorno Milano, the network’s daily coverage programme. Dixon drew the parallel while discussing Kennedy’s response to cheating allegations levelled against him by the Swedish team.
Armstrong, who had his seven Tour de France victories revoked after admitting to using performance-enhancing substances, became an unexpected reference point in the panel’s analysis of the curling controversy. Dixon acknowledged that his comparison was excessive, conceding, “Sorry, excuse me, that sounds a little bit hyperbolic.” He remarked that Kennedy’s defensive reaction was indicative of a deeper issue, stating, “It’s just a little bit of a prod, and everybody’s kicking off.”
The comparison sparked immediate reactions from Dixon’s fellow pundits in the studio. Former alpine skier Ed Drake interjected, exclaiming “Oh, here we go!” while presenter Orla Chennaoui and fellow pundit Aimee Fuller, the former Team GB slopestyle snowboarder, responded with audible shock to the remark. Chennaoui expressed disbelief, stating, “Never in my sporting broadcasting career did I think that Lance Armstrong would be compared to the Canadian curling team.”
In the wake of the incident, Dixon had referenced Armstrong’s prolonged denial of doping allegations to underline Kennedy’s defensiveness. He noted, “It’s so crazy, though, how defensive he got; that’s the thing.” Drake suggested that Kennedy’s reaction indicated a potential awareness of wrongdoing, before Chennaoui raised the question of whether attack serves as the best form of defence.
The controversy stems from an incident during a match over the weekend when Sweden accused Kennedy of interfering with a stone he had already released. Kennedy reacted angrily to the accusation, an outburst which, according to Dixon, exemplified overly defensive behaviour. The Canadian curler later reflected on his conduct, acknowledging areas for improvement while defending his position.
“I probably could have handled it better, but we’re human out there, and there are a lot of emotions,” Kennedy said. He maintained, “I’m not going to apologise for defending my teammates and standing up for myself,” and expressed regret regarding his language, mindful of his influence on young curlers in Canada.
In the whirlwind of sports discourse, the lines between passion and decorum occasionally blur, revealing the complexities of competitive integrity. Even the most reserved athletes can find themselves caught in the tempest of emotion, reminding us all that while sport aims for purity, the human element often delivers a compelling drama of its own.
