The European Athletics Championships returned to screens on Monday (August 10) with live coverage from the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, but viewers were quickly left frustrated as the broadcast began without any sound on BBC One.
Jeanette Kwakye presented the opening session, joined by Jessica Ennis-Hill and Greg Rutherford. However, as a montage of memorable athletics moments played, sports fans could not hear anything, prompting a wave of complaints on X (formerly Twitter).
Viewers React to Sound Problem
One viewer wrote: "BBC One has no sound??" Another added: "Dear @BBC can we have some sound on the athletics please FFS." A third commented: "Watching the athletics on BBC 1, think I've gone deaf."
Another user said: "That's a good start @BBCSport @BBCOne, no sound at all on your coverage of the #EuropeanAthletics. Oh dear. Over to @tntsports then." A fifth viewer echoed: "The BBC coverage is usually top notch, but the first 3 minutes today covering a montage of previous sporting success we had no sound."
One frustrated fan wrote: "It's been nearly 10 mins and there still is no sound on the @BBCSport athletics coverage, both on BBC One and iPlayer. Are the sound techs having a lie in?"
Sound Restored as Heats Begin
After several minutes of silence, the sound returned as the first heats got underway. The women's 100 metres featured British contenders including reigning champion Dina Asher-Smith, Amy Hunt, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, and Daryll Neita. Heats also took place in the women's 400 metre hurdles and men's 800 and 400 metres.
In the field events, qualifying occurred for the men's and women's shot put, men's hammer, and long jump. Commentary came from Steve Cram, Steve Backley, Andrew Cotter, Colin Jackson, and Paula Radcliffe.
Despite the initial issue, fans were delighted the Championships were back. One wrote: "First session of the #EuropeanAthletics Championships is underway! A super exciting week ahead from Alexander Stadium." Another added: "Its the European Athletics, thank goodness @BBCSport is covering."
The European Athletics Championships are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
