Channel Seven's Jim Wilson cops backlash for asking athlete inappropriate question
A Channel Seven reporter is receiving backlash after asking wheelchair-bound Aussie athlete, Kurt Fearnley, about how he feels “walking” into the stadium before the opening ceremony.
Last night, reporter Jim Wilson spoke to legendary wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley moments before the Commonwealth Games’ opening ceremony in the Gold Coast.
“How about walking... and coming into the stadium tonight?” Wilson asked Fearnley.
The gold-medallist revealed a noticeable grimace but politely responded after Wilson quickly rephrased his question.
Viewers were quick to respond on social media to Wilson’s awkward question.
“Sorry Jim, did you just say ‘walk in’ to Kurt, one of our greatest wheelchair bound athletes? Come on mate,” one person tweeted. Fearnley has a congenital disorder called sacral agenesis, which prevented the development of parts of his spine.
The athlete has won three gold medals at the Paralympic Games and has competed at two previous Commonwealth Games. In 2010, he won the gold medal for the 1500m T54 in Delhi.
This year, Fearnley will compete in the marathon event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Fearnley revealed to Players Voice that this Commonwealth Games could be the last time he represents Australia. “I’ll never say never and there’s a very, very slim chance I’ll have a crack at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020 but it feels right to go out on home soil, having started my international career here 18 years ago,” he said.