Retired skilled bike owner Robbie McEwen has apologised for what he described as “an offensive phrase” used through the broadcast of stage 10 of the Giro d’Italia on Tuesday.
Three-time Tour de France inexperienced jersey winner McEwen had beforehand been commentating for SBS Australia, however after being dropped from the commentary workforce went on to affix the International Biking Community (GCN) workforce in early 2022.
In a tweet posted shortly earlier than the end of stage 12 of the Giro, the place he was commentating on GCN’s protection, McEwen mentioned, “I unintentionally used an offensive phrase throughout my commentary on stage 10, and I remorse each saying it and never instantly apologising on air.
“I am genuinely sorry for the language I used, and for letting the workforce down, however largely I need to express regret to anybody who I offended.”
The phrase got here within the midst of a dialogue concerning the commentating workforce’s lunch, when in a dialog referring to meals he used a phrase that could be a widespread homophobic trope.
McEwen’s apology was preceded by an apology from GCN, who confronted criticism for eradicating the English-language commentary from GCN’s race footage on its app after its quick broadcast.
“Biking is a sport for all & everybody ought to really feel welcome,” mentioned the tweet, which was put out on Thursday. “We selected to not publish Stage 10 protection till an offensive phrase was eliminated & we apologise to anybody offended through the broadcast. The complete stage will quickly be accessible in English with out this part of commentary.”
