Canadian Broadcaster Screws Up Michael Phelps Call, Amazingly Internet Forgives Him

Maybe people really are nicer in Canada.

On Thursday night, during Michael Phelps' casual paddle to his fourth straight Olympic gold medal in the 200 meter individual medley in Rio de Janeiro, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's announcer Elliotte Friedman mistook Phelps for Ryan Lochte, his long-time swimming bridesmaid.

But the IOC, of course, quickly went around getting all the footage taken down everywhere, because the IOC. So here's a transcript of Friedman's call:

"He has never, ever beaten Michael Phelps in this competition in the Olympic Games, but Ryan Lochte is going for it."

…

"Phelps doesn't look like he has this one in him!"

…

"Ryan Lochte, going for his 13th career medal, saving the best for last. … Finally he is going to do it! … Ryan Lochte is going to beat Michael Phelps! … And Phelps might not even make the podium!"

That's when Phelps touched the wall, a length and a half ahead of the pack, and the words PHELPS appeared over the winner's lane, confirming that he was indeed Phelps. Then the feed panned to the Baltimorean taking off one of his swimming caps as he whirled around to see his time.

A few beats of silence on the Canadian broadcaster.

"I apologize," Friedman finally said. "I got my lanes mixed up."

Twitter, predictably, went nuts.

But here's where it gets interesting. You would expect scorn to be heaped on a man for committing such a big blunder in a key moment of televised sports, even though Friedman is apparently a revered veteran. That's how this thing tends to work, after all. Mistakes are not okay anymore. Missteps are to be litigated and punished endlessly in the court of public opinion.

That's not what happened.

Friedman, to his immense credit, owned up to his error once again.

I'm sorry everyone. I blew it. No excuses
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 12, 2016

And then he was met not with venom and bile, but with a wave of love.

"Meh," most of North America said in unison. "Nobody's perfect."

.@FriedgeHNIC Be kind to yourself, we've all effed up. I've been marvelling at your calls with #ByronMacDonald all week…
— Jocelyn Laidlaw (@CTVJLaidlaw) August 12, 2016

@FriedgeHNIC Hang in there. You're a pro. Don't forget it for a second.
— Eric Adelson (@eric_adelson) August 12, 2016

@FriedgeHNIC Your doing a gr8 job….buddy. @CBCOlympics #Rio2016 #can pic.twitter.com/OzcdLVYOGh
— Sheldon Kennedy (@ShelKenn) August 12, 2016

@FriedgeHNIC It happens. Don't be too hard on yourself. You're doing a fantastic job.
— Jean-François Bégin (@JFBegin) August 12, 2016

@FriedgeHNIC you're a legend. No need to apologize to anyone :)
— Stroumboulopoulos (@strombo) August 12, 2016

@FriedgeHNIC Elliote. We've not met. But we heard from all in Canada how amazing you are. Such an easy mistake to make. You'lll ride again
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) August 12, 2016

@FriedgeHNIC The sun came up and you're still one of the best in the business. Get back at it Elliotte. #pro
— Christine Simpson (@SNChrisSimpson) August 12, 2016

There were literally hundreds of these.

Good work, humanity.