Russell blasts BBC over GB snub

Great Britain national men’s team coach Pete Russell has blasted the BBC after they failed to acknowledge his team’s achievements in their Sports Personality of the Year show.

Russell took to Facebook to vent his frustration that the corporation has snubbed his team’s gold medal win back in May – their second on the trot – earning them a spot at the top tier of this year’s World Championships where they’ll come up against Canada and USA.

And he also accused the BBC of not understanding the enormity of the achievement, which sees GB in the top flight for the first time in a quarter of a century.

“We all love this great sport we are involved in, but no wonder it never grows like it should,” he said.

“Our Team GB boys have taken this team in two years from the third tier Pool C to Pool A in the World Championships. The first team to ever get back to back gold medals.

“BBC Sport ‘Sports Personality of the Year’ should be ashamed of themselves for not even mentioning that unbelievable achievement. Absolutely shocking!

“We had 23 players and nine staff who gave everything and against all odds to achieve the unthinkable.

“But our more historic sports channel in the country can’t even take the time to understand how big this achievement is and give this sport/team some well-deserved recognition.”

GB overcame the odds to win their group last season to qualify for the top flight, where they’ll head to Slovakia in May for their big dates against Canada, USA, Germany, Denmark, Finland, France and the hosts, Slovakia.

The BBC were contacted for comment in response to Russell’s post and a spokesperson said:

“Due the length of the show, it is not always possible to reflect all sporting achievements.

It is an editorial challenge we face every year, but it is always our aim to reflect many achievements across a diverse range of sports.”