BBC host Gabby Logan has sparked speculation over the authenticity of the Olympics bell inside the Stade de France.
Every gold medallist in track and field events at the Olympics in Paris is given the chance to ring the bell situated inside the the stadium as part of their celebrations.
Athletes have relished the opportunity so far as the crowd eerily falls silent in anticipation of the bell being rung.
But after watching Sweden’s Armand Duplantis ring the bell following his successful world record attempt in the men’s pole vault on Monday evening, Logan shared her theory about the Olympic bell not being completely genuine.
‘Now, I’ve noticed this that the bell starts to ring before the athlete actually pulls the bell,’ Logan said.
‘So, I’m hoping I’m not seeing… it’s like Santa Claus, is that what I’m seeing is real?’
Former United States sprinter Michael Johnson, who is working as a pundit for the BBC in Paris, replied: ‘I think it’s a little delay on our monitor. I think that’s what it is.’
Logan then said: ‘Is there a little bit of theatre going on down there? Okay, alright.’
Johnson jokingly replied: ‘You just want to go down there and do it.’
Logan then finished by saying: ‘Well, in the name of good journalism, I want to make sure that bell is real. We will be investigating that and maybe send you down Michael to ring the bell.’
Johnson’s explanation may be the most credible explanation to Logan’s theory as the bell was tested by United States sprinting legend Carl Lewis on Thursday alongside Paris 2024 chief organiser Tony Estanguet.
‘It’s just for the gold medallists, and it’s a great way for them to celebrate,’ said Estanguet.
As part of the legacy of the Paris Olympics, the golden bell eventually will move from the Stade de France to a permanent home at the rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral.
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