ABC Local Radio at the Games

ABC Radio has assembled a top team of sports broadcasters and experts to present a comprehensive radio coverage of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth games. This continues the ABC’s long-standing tradition of radio coverage of every Games since 1950.

Following the Opening Ceremony hosted by Glenn Mitchell, Simone Thurtell and Lindy Burns, coverage of the sporting action begins on March 16 and continues over 11 days with more than 120 hours of comprehensive radio coverage.

National Editor Sport, Peter Longman, told radioinfo the ABC had once again made a major commitment to the broadcast of the Games.

“We are proud to be the official non-commercial broadcaster of the Games. We’ll be represented by an experienced and dedicated team of 50 people including a range of expert commentators and journalists, production and technical operators and broadcast support.”

On most days during the Games, coverage will be continuous between 10.00am and 1.00pm and again from 6.00pm until 11.00pm, as well as information and updates from other events during the afternoons.

The broadcast team comprises many long-established commentators including Gerry Collins, Peter Walsh, David Morrow, Glenn Mitchell, Simone Thurtell, Caroline Davison, Tim Gavel and Wally Foreman.

They’ll be joined by Australian sporting icons such as Susie O’Neill, Rob Woodhouse, Peter Hadfield, Jenny Morris, Rachel Sporn and the unstoppable Norman May, attending his twelfth Commonwealth Games.

The national coverage on ABC Local Radio has the potential to reach almost the entire Australian population through its metropolitan, regional and remote area networks.

Working on his ninth Commonwealth Games, Executive Producer Alan Marks told radioinfo that the ABC’s philosophy towards a major Games differs from others in that importance is placed on the entire celebration of sport rather than only a few key disciplines.

He also said that Local Radio listeners are not the only ones who will benefit from the ABC’s extensive coverage.

“ABC Radio Australia (which broadcasts to the Asia-Pacific region) will play an important role in broadcasting action from the Rubgy 7s, Boxing and Weightlifting to the Pacific Island Nations and Badminton and Table Tennis to Malaysia and Singapore.”

Here are details of the ABC’s commentary:

Swimming Gerry Collins, Susie O’Neill & Rob Woodhouse
Diving Gerry Collins
Synchronised Swimming Anthea Kissel
Basketball Rachel Sporn
Hockey Tim Gavel & Jen Morris
Track & Field David Morrow & Peter Hadfield
Cycling Glenn Mitchell
Hockey Wally Foreman
Weightlifting Drew Morphett
Rugby Tim Gavel
Boxing Dan Lonergan
Netball Simone Thurtell & Gerard Whately
Gymnastics Caroline Davison
Basketball Gerard Whately & Peter Walsh
Marathons Peter Walsh
Track & Field/Walks Quentin Hull
Badminton/Squash Roger Wills
Table Tennis Roger Wills
Lawn Bowls Charlie King
Shooting (Pistol & Rifle) Peter Newlinds
Shooting (Full Bore Rifle) Jonathan Ridnell
Shooting (Clay Target) Alan Marks

For regular Games updates go to the weblink below.

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