Weir calls for fair play on TV airtime
DAVID WEIR has called on TV companies to bridge the “massive gulf” between able-bodied and wheelchair coverage of the London Marathon.
Paralympic legend Weir goes for a record ninth London title today in what could be the last year of the world’s greatest marathon being broadcast by the BBC.
With the Beeb’s contract up after this weekend, LM boss Hugh Brasher admits to having spoken to other terrestrial broadcasters.
Weir, who won his first title in 2002, says he is reluctant to criticise the BBC as they have been a constant throughout the 41-year history of the race.
But he urged whoever takes the coverage forward to “spend more money on covering the wheelchair division”.
Weir said: “Nothing against the BBC but I feel they could have done a bit more on the coverage for the wheelchair side.
“When I won in 2002 I thought,
‘I have done it, I have made it’, not money-wise, but people would talk about it, there would be more progress. Nothing. That’s when I realised there was a massive gulf between Paralympics and ablebodied. After winning a big race like that, I thought I would get a contract from Nike.
“But it never happened. No phone calls. Nothing.
“The BBC have been there since the beginning and I feel they could do a little bit more. There are options now with the technology – you could have the red button.
“Give people the option to watch the whole wheelchair race. We have a bike camera for most of the race.”
Weir, 42, who says this year won’t be his last marathon, added: “I remember watching Eurosport years ago. It was a week before London when the Boston Marathon used to be.
“I didn’t think there would be any wheelchair marathon on yet they had split screens and had the whole race.
“Give people the option because people say they want to see more of my race. It’s not up to me but the options are there.”