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Spike Island gaffe

Kay McShane powering through the course of the 1983 Evening Echo Ladies Mini Marathon in Cork. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive

Over 20 years ago, British Paralympic athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson was to be honoured for winning four gold medals in the 2000 Sydney Paralympics at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year when an embarrassing gaffe brought proceedings to a sudden halt.

The lack of a ramp at the ceremony to accommodate wheelchairs meant Grey-Thompson could not access the stage to receive her award in person. The event organisers were left red-faced and the BBC issued an apology as a result.