RIO DE JANEIRO – It’s the historic call broadcasters dream about while covering the Olympics – but one commentator is apologizing Thursday after apparently mixing up the swimming lanes.
In fact, the CBC’s Elliotte Friedman called the entire 200m individual medley for Ryan Lochte, not Michael Phelps – only realizing his mistake at the very end.
“Ryan Lochte, going for his 13th career medal, saving the best for last,” Friedman shouted in excitement. “Finally he’s going to do it, Ryan Lochte is going to beat Michael Phelps in this event in the games, and Phelps might not even make the podium!”
The excited call went silent as a closeup showed a grinning Phelps taking off his swimming cap to look up at the results of the race.
After realizing his mistake, the broadcaster said, “I apologize, I got my lanes mixed up.”
For Phelps, it was the decorated swimmer’s 22nd gold medal, while Lochte failed to medal in the event.
People tried to comfort Friedman on Twitter with one person saying, “You are a consummate professional, and the ultimate Canadian with that apology. Chin up. You’re doing great.”
Another tweeted, “Elliote. We’ve not met. But we heard from all in Canada how amazing you are. Such an easy mistake to make. You’ll ride again.”
