BBC PRESENTER Gabby Logan isn’t known for believing in conspiracy theories or fairytales.
But she suspects there might be a Tinkered Bell at the Olympics!
The winner’s bell is a popular ritual at the Paris 2024 athletics.
But it’s not been ringing quite true for the broadcaster.
And after Sweden’s Armand Duplantis rung the bell vigorously to celebrate gold in the pole-vault, Logan could hold back no more on live TV.
For her it appears to be a case of the right chime but at the wrong time.
She told viewers: “Now, I’ve noticed this, that the bell starts to ring before the timer actually calls the bell.
“I’m hoping, I’m not seeing.. It’s like Santa Claus. Is that what I’m seeing?”
Laughing, she added: “Is this a bit of theatre going on down there?”
Beeb pundit and American sprint legend Michael Johnson joked that his co-star just wanted to hit the bell for herself.
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The former gymnast replied: “We will be investigating that, and maybe send you down, Michael!”
She added: “In the name of good journalism I want to make sure that that bell is real!”
Meanwhile, Duplantis’ performance also looked make-believe – in one sense – because his performance was so incredible.
He extended his own world record by one centimetre to 6.25m.
But it was the ease with which he accomplished it – and the large gap left between him and the bar – that amazed observers.
It was indeed one “bell” of an achievement!
However, fans on social media had a ding-dong over whether the chiming is fun or a farce, an asset or awful, for the Paris Games.
One said: “I’m on board with the whole idea of this Olympic bell thing but it’s just weirdly low down.”
A second admirer posted: “Whoever came up with that ringing the Olympic bell idea better be getting a hefty pay rise.”
But critics called it “cringe” and “lame”.
