NASCAR commentator Leigh Diffey takes responsibility for incorrect Olympic call after facing backlash

NASCAR commentator Leigh Diffey called the men's 100-meter sprint during the ongoing Paris Olympics. Unfortunately, Diffey mistakenly declared the wrong runner as the winner. Demonstrating professionalism and accountability, the 53-year-old swiftly took responsibility for the error by tending an apology on social media.

The 100m sprint, a crown jewel of track and field, commanded the attention of NBC Sports, which assembled their most seasoned broadcasters for the event. Among them was Leigh Diffey, a seasoned Olympic commentator. As the day unfolded, Diffey embarked on his customary ritual, setting the stage for the impending spectacle.

The sprint race concluded in a heart-stopping photo finish, leaving athletes and spectators alike uncertain of the winner. Diffey, however, confidently declared Jamaica's Kishane Thompson the winner. Unfortunately, this announcement proved premature, as subsequent analysis revealed an incorrect call.

Upon close inspection by race officials, USA's Noah Lyles was declared the winner of the 100m sprint, beating Thompson by five thousandths of a second. Diffey retracted his initial call and announced Noah Lyles as the winner. In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), he acknowledged his error, taking full responsibility for the incorrect call made during the prestigious Paris Olympics.

"The men’s 100 was epic & closest of all time! My eyes & instinct told me Kishane Thompson won. Obviously, that wasn’t the case. I shouldn’t have been so bold to call it, but I genuinely thought he won. I got it wrong. I am thrilled for @LylesNoah as his story only gets bigger!" Diffey wrote

Noah Lyles' victory etched his name in history, marking the first time an American sprinter had clinched the 100m gold in nearly two decades. The race itself was a testament to human speed and precision, culminating in one of the closest finishes ever witnessed in the event's history.

Diffey brings a plethora of experience as a sports broadcaster, yet human error in close finishes is always a possibility. His swift and public acknowledgment of the error, in the face of intense scrutiny, is a testament to his humility and professionalism, highlighting his commitment to the role.

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Leigh Diffey replaces NASCAR commentator Rick Allen in the Cup Series

NBC Sports' Leigh Diffey is a renowned broadcaster with a distinguished career spanning motorsports and Olympic track and field. As the lead play-by-play commentator for INDYCAR, IMSA, and Supercross, Diffey's voice is synonymous with high-octane action. His versatility extends to the Olympics, where he has become a trusted voice for track and field events.

Earlier this year, it was announced that Diffey would be replacing NASCAR commentator Rick Allen, who has been the lead commentator for both the Xfinity and the Cup Series. According to reports, Diffey will replace Allen in either the Daytona International Speedway race the next day or the August 18th Cup race in Michigan.

However, Rick Allen will maintain his role as the lead broadcaster for the NASCAR Xfinity Series while Diffey transitions to the top Cup Series division.