Channel 9 slammed for ‘disgraceful’ move against Aussie runner Jess Hull

One of Australia’s leading hopes in the athletics was snubbed by Olympic broadcaster Channel 9 in a move that’s been slammed by viewers.

Channel 9 was slammed for snubbing Jess Hull. Pictures: AFP, Getty

Australian host broadcaster Channel 9 has been slammed after bizarrely choosing not to show Aussie athletic star Jess Hull’s Paris debut on its main channel.

As the 1500m heats began on the track, Nine showed the first heat featuring Aussie Georgia Griffith - who qualified for the semi-final in fourth - and second heat - which had Aussie Linden Hall - who will have to go through the repechage.

But Hull, who knocked five seconds off her PB in the 1500m and broke the 2000m world record in the lead up to the Olympics, was shunted to a secondary channel.

Hull’s heat began well after the news bulletin finished, but Nine chose to show a full replay of Jack Robinson’s silver medal-winning surfing heat from earlier on Tuesday morning, as well as equestrian and rock climbing, on its main channel.

Sprinter and athletics coach Tim Rosen trashed the decision.

Australia's Jessica Hull reacts after the women's 1500m heat of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 6, 2024. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)

“Channel 9 cutting to a surfing replay over showing Jess Hull’s 1500m heat live might just be the stupidest sh*t I’ve ever seen in sports producing in my life. And yes. I watched it on 9Now. But seriously,” he tweeted.

Journalist Luke Dennehy tweeted: “I wondered the same thing, why wouldn’t they show the third heat live with Jess Hull considering they spent the last half-hour talking her up?”

A fan wrote: “Disgraceful @Channel9, Jess hull is racing, top hope and you cut to go to equestrian and rock climbing. Ridiculous decision.”

Another wrote: “Can’t wait to watch Jessica Hull’s heat on 9! Our fastest ever women’s 1500m runner and gold medal chance! Wait- what’s this? Surfing with no waves (at least an Aussie was in the final) equestrian, springboard diving … No Jess! Thanks @Channel9.”

Jessica Hull charges home in her heat. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

A third posted: “What is wrong with Channel 9’s coverage … prelim diving and surfing replay on their 2 free to air channels!! No Jess Hull!! …. do they not cover track and field unless there’s a big name competing!! … Really disappointing! Second rate coverage.”

Another commented: “We missed the action because you completely forgot about it. Jess Hull is our only odds-on favourite for a track medal — she just ran her one and only Aus prime time race and you completely missed it.”

Hull’s time was only good enough for 17th fastest overall at 4:02.70 – well outside her PB of 3:50.83, which is also the fifth-fastest of all time – but she did just what she needed to do to finish top six and book a place in the semis.

Let’s hope Nine can prioritise that race.