‘No need to bring religion into sport’
The veteran commentator stunned millions of viewers when he claimed that he thought badminton was a “mainly Protestant” sport.
Mr O’Herlihy’s comments took the shine off the Co Donegal woman’s victory over Egyptian competitor Hadia Hosny.
The 23-year-old from Raphoe said she was just very happy to win, but said that there was no need to bring religion into her victory.
She told Highland Radio: “We need to remember what the Olympics is all about. I don’t think it is any different from any other sport. There are people here from all over the world and from many different religions.
“I’m sure he didn’t mean to say it. Sport is about participation. Why bring something like this into it?”
Magee, who is ranked 44th in the world, said she had never heard religion ever mentioned in her sport before.
But she added: “I don’t take it too seriously and focus on the badminton.”
She said she believed Mr O’Herlihy had made a mistake and “people make mistakes”.
Turning to her victory, she said she was focused on the next game later today against former world number four Pi Hongyan.
“I haven’t got my best game behind me,” she said, “I was quite nervous for my first game. The arena was fantastic.
“The next game I think I will play a lot better.”
She said there was a huge support for her in the arena in London — but had missed the opening ceremony because of her match schedule.
An RTÉ spokesperson said: “The presenter never intended to cause any offence by the comment.
“RTÉ has received 15 complaints in relation to the programme, which equates to 0.004% of the approximate 370,000 viewers on average who watched Chloe’s match.
“RTÉ will continue to show Ireland’s badminton players in action at the Olympics.”
