We know Piers Morgan has just had Covid, but does he really have to be such a Debbie Downer about the Olympics?
Gary Lineker certainly doesn’t think so.
The former professional footballer and BBC Sport presenter defended the Tokyo Games after Piers claimed that “nobody cares” about them.
On Sunday, the former Good Morning Britain presenter tweeted: “Nobody cares about these Covid-ravaged Olympics.
“I feel incredibly sorry for all the athletes still trying to live their Olympic dream, but that is the harsh reality. And the great champions like @adam_peaty know it.
“It should have been either further postponed or cancelled.”
Nobody cares about these covid-ravaged Olympics. I feel incredibly sorry for all the athletes still trying to live their Olympic dream, but that is the harsh reality. And the great champions like @adam_peaty know it.
It should have been either further postponed or cancelled.— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 25, 2021
But Gary wasn’t having any of it, telling Piers “you’re wrong”.
“You’re wrong on this one,” Gary replied on Twitter. “It’s exhilarating, uplifting and inspiring.
“Exactly what’s needed in these most depressing of times.”
You’re wrong on this one. It’s exhilarating, uplifting and inspiring. Exactly what’s needed in these most depressing of times. https://t.co/Rv8nc3PyFn
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) July 26, 2021
Jugs, you find opening a crisp packet uplifting & inspiring. It's great to see @TeamGB athletes win Gold medals, not least so we can stop pretending Bronze is an achievement worthy of national celebration, but let's be honest – these Olympics are just not the same without fans. https://t.co/oPHVV5UBMa
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 26, 2021
Fast forward almost 24 hours and Piers’ original tweet hadn’t aged well after the country celebrated Team GB bagging three gold medals, thanks to victory for Adam Peaty in the 100-metre breaststroke, Tom Piddock coming first in the men’s cross country mountain biking and Tom Daley and Matty Lee winning their first ever golds in the men’s synchronised 10-metre diving.
Piers then changed tact and turned his attention to anyone who wasn’t winning gold in Tokyo.
“Real sporting champions don’t celebrate coming 3rd,” he tweeted.
To be in the top 3 in the entire world in your sport is an outstanding achievement. https://t.co/8QVTuHtWVX
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) July 26, 2021
When Gary insisted that “to be in the top 3 in the entire world in your sport is an outstanding achievement”, Piers responded: “Words you would never hear from Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps…. true sporting achievement is about winning, not losing.”
True sporting greats like them would have the good grace to recognise the efforts of others and not disrespect them. https://t.co/mBdqMFqkAh
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) July 26, 2021
I suspect if you’d ever won a medal, of any description, in sport, you might feel differently. https://t.co/9O4rdYm1ER
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) July 26, 2021
I don’t think Silver and Bronze medals are shameful, but no real champion would ever feel comfortable having one in their trophy cabinet. https://t.co/OybgLzRqtG
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 26, 2021
Gary’s fellow BBC presenter – and Piers’ arch nemesis – Dan Walker also chimed, telling Piers: “You might not care about the #Olympics but this morning proved once again that a lot of people do. If you really feel that way then just let the rest of us enjoy it while you watch Home Alone 2 on repeat? #TearsForPiers.”
You might not care about the #Olympics but this morning proved once again that a lot of people do.
If you really feel that way then just let the rest of us enjoy it while you watch Home Alone 2 on repeat? 🐦😂#TearsForPiershttps://t.co/5TJUUtTBsSpic.twitter.com/pVWLuXa3RU
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) July 26, 2021
Over the weekend, Piers revealed he thinks he caught coronavirus while watching England play in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
He told the Mail on Sunday he contracted Covid despite being double vaccinated.
In a post on Twitter, he said it has been “a long ten days”.
