A veteran of the BBC for over 30 years, Clare Balding has cultivated quite a reputation in sports broadcasting. Beginning her career with the corporation in 1994, Balding has worked with countless sportspeople and has remained a highly esteemed figure throughout the decades.

Currently fronting coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, the 55-year-old not only continues to be a key aspect in the broadcasting of British sport but a much-loved colleague by the many individuals who've worked alongside her. Among those who've showered praise on Balding is former Team GB downhill skier Chemmy Alcott, who has worked alongside her at the Milano Cortina Games.

Turning to TV presenting following her retirement in 2014, Alcott discussed the pressure of being live on air before hailing Balding and the opportunity she's earned being able to work with her. Speaking exclusively to The Sun, the former skier said: "It's live. Anything can go wrong or you can have the ride of your life.

"These are all the same attributes I had to deal with as an athlete... except now I'm doing it next to Clare Balding. She's an icon and, I'm proud to say, a good friend. So to be working with her on TV is always a 'pinch me' moment. I'm just hoping that Clare and I don't talk about The Traitors the whole time because we absolutely loved it. I became obsessed."

Balding's 30-plus career with the BBC hasn't been without some controversy as she was plunged into hot water by fans during her coverage of the swimming at the 2024 Paris Olympics, While speaking to two-time gold medallist Rebecca Adlington, Balding was left stunned by the former swimmer's claim that Olympic swimmers never visited her school during her childhood.

Stunned by her revelation, Balding responded: "What? No (Olympians) visited your school?" It was her shocked reaction that led to criticism from viewers who took to X to lambast the presenter by writing: "Watching the Olympic swimming and Clare Balding said something in such an incredulous tone which summed up the establishment perspective and how their experience differs.

"Because of course Balding thought it TOTALLY NORMAL for Olympic medal winners to visit schools because being privately educated and descended from nobility and privilege this kind of thing is part of the cultural experience they expect."

Fellow BBC star Gabby Logan jumped to Balding's defence and spoke of her love and support for her. Logan's message read: "I'm sure lots of what you say may be true about private school experiences, but it's certainly not true about the whole of the BBC.

"I went to a state school nobody visited, teachers were striking in the 80s, and no school trips. Also to be clear I love my colleague and she's a great broadcaster. But a sweeping statement about the BBC needed addressing. Look at our Olympics line up across the day, we are a mixed bag from different backgrounds bringing all our many experiences to the way we communicate."

Balding's professionalism and excellence in her role saw her trusted to lead coverage of Wimbledon following Sue Barker's departure from the BBC. The ex-tennis star let that slip during the Action Women Awards in 2022 before the official announcement was made.

While speaking on stage, Barker said: "I just want to say, leaving Wimbledon, it's incredibly... I've loved it all my life. I know I'm leaving it in the safest hands, it's absolutely wonderful to leave it with Clare. But also Clare, this year at Wimbledon, myself, you and Isa Guha. To have three women presenting Wimbledon for the first time ever."

Balding also fronted coverage for the 2020 Tokyo Games and did so alongside former Arsenal and Lionesses star Alex Scott, who offered an emotional tribute to her colleague after ending her two-week stint in Japan's capital.

Posting a photo montage of herself and Balding in the BBC studio, Scott wrote: "Balders & Scott, to @clarebalding the support/encouragement that you have shown me over the last couple weeks, the highs and the lows, you kept me smiling and loving it all the way to the very end #thankyou. xx. First Olympics with BBC complete."