Louise Minchin: BBC Breakfast host breaks silence on ‘cheating’ claims in triathlon race
LOUISE MINCHIN, who is widely known for co-hosting BBC Breakfast, has broken her silence over claims she was reported to officials by a competitor who said she cheated in a triathlon race - a claim Louise is not under investigation for.
The BBC Breakfast star competed in the Slateman event in Snowdonia last weekend and was accused of getting unfair help from another cyclist.
According to The Sun, a triathlete, who was also competing, slammed Louise, 49, for receiving help and told her: “You cheated!”
The fellow racer said the unknown cyclist had come “out of nowhere” and pedalled in front of the star, cutting out wind resistance.
The newspaper said the tactic - known as drafting - gave her an advantage.
Another racer claimed Louise had “lied” about her performance in the race.
She told the publication: “It’s a hard race. During the cycling I feel like I’m dying.
“Louise is making out she’s done this super-duper thing and it makes me mad,” she added. “She’s lied to people a little bit.”
The racer revealed she then reported Louise to British Triathlon representatives, and claimed others spoke about it too.
She also said Louise confronted her after she realised she was talking to the representatives.
The woman added: “Louise saw me talking to the rep and came over. I said, ‘You cheated’. She said, ‘Well, I didn’t really because I didn’t know she was going to be there’.”
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“I said, ‘You had a draft!’ She said, ‘I know I had a draft, and I know how it looks but I didn’t cheat as it’s not like I cheated to win.”
British Triathlon revealed to The Sun Louise is not under investigation.
Louise addressed the story as she and co-host Charlie Stayt, 55, discussed today's newspapers headlines.
“I share a front page actually with Meghan [Markle] there's a story about me in The Sun about an incident at a race on Sunday,” she began.
She then revealed she has spoken to officials and said no further action will be taken.
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Louise added: “I was talked to about with British Triathlon who say I have no case to answer, but I’m on the front page with Meghan.”(sic)
Louise addressed the story as she and co-host Charlie Stayt, 55, discussed today's newspapers headlines.
“I share a front page actually with Meghan [Markle] there's a story about me in The Sun about an incident at a race on Sunday,” she began.
She then revealed she has spoken to officials and said no further action will be taken.
Louise added: “I was talked to about with British Triathlon who say I have no case to answer, but I’m on the front page with Meghan.”(sic)