BBC stars to stay at home with ‘skeleton teams’ sent to Olympics and Euro 2020

Star BBC sports presenters such as Clare Balding and Gabby Logan face having to cover this summer’s Olympics from Salford rather than trackside in Tokyo. The same might also happen to Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer for overseas matches at Euro 2020.

The broadcaster sent a 455-strong army of staffers to Rio for the 2016 Games, but only a “skeleton team” will be going to Japan.

The scaled-down BBC presence is likely to be commonplace for the great summer of sport because of Covid-19 concerns. One BBC figure, already told he is unlikely to be going to Japan, believes reduced numbers could become permanent due to efforts to reduce carbon footprints. However, the corporation is understood to be insisting this summer’s policy is purely down to infection protocols, and there remains flexibility to scale up numbers if the pandemic eases by July.

BBC coverage will feel very different as its team reacts to events 5,867 miles away with its top presenters confined to base. A final decision has yet to be made on whether any commentators will be present in venues for the biggest events, such as the 100metres.

One senior broadcasting figure, speaking on condition of anonymity, said those kept at home will face an uphill task to provide high levels of insight. “The background that only emerges in the days leading up to the event will be sadly missed,” he said. “You don’t want to be saying ‘and here comes Mo Farah … oh goodness he’s limping’.”

A BBC spokesman declined to comment on how many staff would be sent to Tokyo, but sources confirmed it would be a “skeleton team”. Coverage will be based at BBC Sport’s headquarters by the Manchester Ship Canal in Salford.