It is considered to be “pointlessly antagonistic.”
Daniel Wiffen made history last night after he won Olympic Gold for Ireland in the Men’s 800m freestyle race.
The incredible display ended with the Armagh man atop the podium, tearing up as Amhrán na bhFiann blared out over the speakers.
The heroic swimmer trailed behind Italy’s Gregorio Paltrineri with just 50m left in the race, however, a late surge saw him take the lead and hold off Bobby Finke of the United States to grab victory by 0.56 seconds.
Following the victory, the BBC landed themselves in deep water with a social media post on Wiffen.
The BBC Sport account posted on X saying: “History in Paris!
“Daniel Wiffen becomes the first athlete from Northern Ireland to win an Olympic gold medal since 1988.”
Fans reacted negatively to the post, pointing out that Wiffen was wearing the tricolor after winning and was representing Ireland.
“News to me that there’s a northern Irish team in the Olympics,” replied one fan.
Another replied: “No country called Northern Ireland at the Olympics lads.”A third added: “Pointlessly antagonistic, he’s representing Ireland.”
Although Wiffen, who is of British and Irish nationality, was born in Leeds and moved to Magheralin, on the Down Armagh county border, at the age of two, his statement could have been more concise.
He represents Ireland in the Olympic, World, and European games, but he has also represented Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games.