The BBC's coverage of the European Athletics Championships got off to a rocky start on Monday as viewers reported a lack of audio during the opening moments.
The first European Athletics Championships ever held in the UK began in Birmingham, with a busy morning of track and field action. Max Burgin, one of Europe's fastest 800m runners this year, competed in qualifying, while Dina Asher-Smith started her 100m title defence.
Coverage Begins with Technical Glitch
Jeanette Kwakye hosted the BBC's coverage, joined by Jessica Ennis-Hill and Greg Rutherford. Commentary came from Steve Cram, Steve Backley, Andrew Cotter, Colin Jackson, and Paula Radcliffe.
At the start, Jeanette said: "Good morning from sunny Birmingham as our summer of sport continues." She added: "From the World Cup to Wimbledon, from Silverstone to the Commonwealth Games - it's been pretty breathless. But it doesn't stop there. For the next seven days, all eyes will be on the Alexander Stadium right here in Birmingham for the European Athletics Championships. And it may be Britain's first time hosting it, but we're not too bad at it."
Viewers Take to Social Media
However, many viewers missed the introduction as the sound was notably absent from BBC One's coverage. An athletics montage played without audio, and complaints quickly appeared on X (formerly Twitter).
One person wrote: "So what has the BBC done for me? @BBC gave me the promo advert and then immediately started the Athletics coverage very first show with no sound! Talk about an own goal!" Another said: "Hey, you forgot to put any sound with the European Athletics @BBC."
The audio eventually began after several minutes of silence, just as the first heats got underway. A further viewer noted: "The BBC coverage is usually top notch, but the first 3 minutes today covering a montage of previous sporting success we had no sound."
Championships Continue Until Sunday
One viewer complained there had been "no sound" after nearly 10 minutes, quipping: "Are the sound techs having a lie in?" The Daily Express has contacted BBC representatives for comment.
The Championships run until Sunday, August 16, with Britain's team of 94 athletes aiming for the top of the medals table. Defending champions Keely Hodgkinson and Dina Asher-Smith are among the stars, along with Matthew Hudson-Smith, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Amy Hunt, Georgia Hunter Bell, and captain Jake Wightman. Athletes from 49 nations compete for 50 gold medals, including a new mixed 4x100m relay.
