Hugh Porter is a cycling legend who has won multiple gold metals for Great Britain in various Olympic games. After his cycling career, Porter worked for BBC as a commentator for the Olympic games. His 30 year career was ended last spring at the age of 73 because they wanted to replace him with someone younger. Porter was devastated by this decision because he still loves that sport and was hoping to commentate for the Olympic games in Rio. He doesn't think that he's too old for the job and believes that his voice is still strong. He said that if he thought he was too old he would be the first one to say something. What really annoyed Porter was that BBC made it seem like he stepped down from the job. He wants people to know that it was BBC's decision, not his. This isn't the first controversy on how BBC treats their older presenters. Miriam O'Reilly and Anna Ford have both recently accused BBC of firing them and other coworkers solely on the fact that they were too old.
Porter was BBC's main commentator for cycling since 1984. I think that it was wrong to take away Hugh's job, especially because he loved it so much. He dedicated his whole life to the Olympics and to have it end this way isn't fair. I feel especially bad that BBC made it seem like he was the one who decided to stop commentating. Hugh was planning on commentating for as long as he could and definitely shouldn't have been fired. He was planing on going to the games in Rio at the age of 77 and commentating for cycling there. This kind of relates to my previous post on women in movies and television being fired for being too old and not pretty anymore. I think that the same outlook applies here. If Porter is willing to work and his voice is strong, he should be allowed to do the job that he loves.
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#4 I agree with your opinion regarding Porter's situation. I believe it was wrong for BCC to fire Porter because of his age. If he thought he was too old to continue he was willing to step down from his position but he did not feel it was his time. I also believe it was wrong for BCC to make it seem that Porter stepped down himself as BCC's main commentator when in actuality he was fired from the job. I think ageism is a problem in the world and it is present in many aspects of our lives.
ReplyDeleteI feel so bad! This poor man had his job taken away because of his age? Totally unfair, especially if its something he loves and is good at. My grandma is 72 and is in great shape and still works at a job she loves!
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