Commentator credits coach, not female athlete, with Olympic win

Katinka’s win on Saturday sparked further controversy, after an NBC commentator credited Tusup as being “the guy responsible” for her incredible turnaround.

“You did it not your husband” was among the social media messages posted following NBC’s coverage of the 400-meter individual medley.

Hosszu, 27, who calls herself the “Iron Lady”, won gold in the final and broke the controversial world record set by China’s Ye Shiwen in London by more than two seconds. After a poor showing in a meet in April, the Times reported, “Hosszu avoided making eye contact with Tusup, who upbraided her while swimmers from other teams stared”.

“It is impossible to tell Katinka’s story accurately without giving appropriate credit to Shane, and that’s what I was trying to do”, Hicks added.

Hicks was likely referencing the fact that, after failing to medal in London in 2012, Hosszu asked Tusup to coach her – and within months, she reemerged on the global scene a very different swimmer. In a replay shortly after, NBC showed a portion of the race in a split screen with pictures of the demonstrative Tusup. “Tusup continued his critique in the warm-down area, where two people said they overheard him suggesting to Hosszu that she stay in the water and drown”.

“It was an wonderful experience to share this moment with someone who I love”, Hosszu said in Rio.

‘It can be very, very harsh, ‘ Hicks said on Saturday’s broadcast, referring to Tusup’s coaching style.

DOPING: Good for NBC swimming reporter Michele Tafoya to ask and American swimmer Lilly King to step forward with an honest answer on her feelings about competing against Russian swimmer Yulia Efimova, who had been banned for doping but the suspension put on hold while further studies are being conducted on the drug involved. Also, the Nielsen company said 2.2 million viewers watched prime-time Olympics programming on the NBCSN and Bravo cable networks Saturday. ‘In fact, it’s been a little disturbing to some of the other swimmers who have observed it’.

Once again, questions are swirling about Kenyan runners and doping.

The Kenyan government’s secretary for sports, Hassan Wario, said Michael Rotich would face a police investigation.