If Olympic medals were given for apologies, these would make the podium
By Thom Gibbs
There are no Olympic medals awarded for apologising, but give it time. In a world that is setting records every month for taking offence, saying sorry is one of the world’s leading growth sports. Surely, it has an outside chance of displacing table tennis in time for Los Angeles 2028?
For now, we must make our own judgments about the world leader in this area, and it is a competitive field.
An interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus has annoyed some observers of the opening ceremony.Credit:
Paris 2024 organisers
Apology: “If people have taken any offence we are really sorry.”
For: Opening ceremony skit in which The Last Supper was recreated with drag queens
Background: Catholics and other Christian groups were not impressed by the bacchanalian section of the opening ceremony in which a singer channelled Tobias Bluth to play a blue-skinned Dionysus while dancers imitated the Da Vinci painting. The Catholic Church in France said the ceremony “included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity”.
The Italian bishops’ conference said it took an “unexpectedly negative turn, becoming a parade of banal errors, accompanied by trite and predictable ideologies”. Paris 2024 countered: “Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. [The opening ceremony] tried to celebrate community tolerance.”
Apology rating: 3/10. Hand-washing to make Pontius Pilate proud.
Kate Richardson-Walsh
Apology: “I felt all I could do was note my feelings and apologise. In hindsight, perhaps I should have paused. Please know this completely cut across my values.”
For: Talking over God Save the King
Background: The hockey hero was given a hospital pass by her BBC employers, who surely should have had a word in presenter J.J. Chalmers’ ear as he asked her a question while the national anthem was starting. What was Richardson-Walsh supposed to do, blank him? Instead, she said: “Yeah, this is an incredibly important event and the anthems are just playing, so I’m trying to be respectful of that as well, but that is a heavy load to bear.” She then said sorry during her next answer as it was happening, saying: “Apologies for crashing the anthem here.”
Apology rating: 8/10. Top use of corporate speak in the personal sphere.
IOC, via its Korean language X account
Apology: “We would like to offer a deep apology over the mistake that occurred”
For: Announcing South Korea as North Korea during the opening ceremony
Background: One is the world’s pre-eminent exporter of masterful films and boy bands; the other is a totalitarian dictatorship. Really important not to get them mixed up.
Apology rating: 6/10. Went bespoke and kept it local. Also good to know about an apology’s depth. Would like to see more shallow apologies for minor offences.
Paula Radcliffe
Apology: “I profoundly apologise and am deeply shocked and disappointed in myself, and can’t understand how I managed to convey it so badly.”
For: Wishing a child rapist “the best of luck” in the beach volleyball competition
Background: Radcliffe took a similarly liberal approach to the Netherlands Olympic team on convicted rapist Steven van de Velde, saying on radio network LBC: “I think it’s a tough thing to do to punish him twice, and if he’s managed to successfully turn his life around after being sent to prison, and to qualify and to be playing sport at the highest level, then I actually wish him the best of luck.”
Steven van de Velde (right) was picked by the Netherlands despite a rape conviction.Credit: Getty Images
Given time – and significant blowback – to reflect, she then said: “I myself am shocked and disappointed at how I expressed this so badly. I genuinely have no idea why I would ever wish luck when I didn’t mean it and sincerely apologise for hurt.” Then, in apology part two: “I am ashamed that my words so inaccurately represented myself. I am truly sorry for so wrongly expressing my intended views and understand that this statement can in no way repair the damage but hopefully conveys my deep regret.”
Apology rating: 9/10. So thorough it came as a special deluxe apology double album.
Bob Ballard, commentator
Apology: “It was never my intention to upset or belittle anyone and, if I did, I apologise. I am a massive advocate of women’s sport.”
For: Making ill-advised joke about female swimmers
Background: Eurosport removed Ballard from his role after Australia’s women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team had won gold, and he said: “Well, the women just finishing up. You know what women are like … hanging around, doing their make-up.” Cue predictable outrage.
Apology rating: 8/10. Succinct and appropriate remorse.
Bev Priestman, Canada women’s soccer coach
Apology: “I am absolutely heartbroken for the players, and I would like to apologise from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has had on all of them.”
For: Use of a drone to spy on opponents’ training session.
Canada’s former head coach, Bev Priestman.Credit: AP
Background: Canada were docked six points for what New Zealand called “multiple drone incidents” during their tactical training sessions. Canada went on to win their game against the Kiwis 1-0, but Priestman has been sacked and banned from football for a year.
Apology rating: 6/10. Can you apologise from the bottom of a broken heart?
Tony Gustavsson, Matildas coach
Apology: “I just want to say I’m so sorry to let down the fans back home that put their alarms on at 3am in the morning to get up and support us.”
For: Losing 3-0 in opening group stage game to Germany
Background: Matildas brought great shame on the Australian nation by losing heavily to Olympic champions.
Apology rating: 6/10. Always wise to be gentle to people who’ve been up since 3am, but seemed to have done the trick – Australia won their next game against Zambia 6-5.However, the Matildas then went down 2-1 to four-time champions USA, and Gustavsson’s contract has not been renewed.