The CBC has apologized after a commentator, not realizing his mic was on, said a 14-year-old Chinese swimmer "died like a pig" in her race.
Byron MacDonald, the CBC's colour commentator for Olympic swimming events, suggested that Yanhan should have paced herself better. "Too excited. Went out like stink, died like a pig," he said on air. "Thanks for that.”
People couldn't believe what they'd just heard.
.@CBC why did I just hear the summing commentator say that a young woman "died like a pig"?
Did the CBC announcer just say the 14 year-old swimmer from China "died like a pig"???? The idiot didn't realize they were still on the air.
The controversy soon travelled to the Chinese web, where people were not amused.
CBC you died like a pig
Many people also flooded the CBC Olympics page on Facebook, with some accusing MacDonald of not just rudeness but also "racism."
CBC issued a public apology the following day.
From @CBCOlympics
MacDonald also issued an on-air apology. "I was referring to a swimmer’s performance and not to them as a person," he said. "Needless to say it was not — there was no disrespect intended and I’m very sorry.”
