Three of Australia’s greatest athletes – Ian Thorpe, Cate Campbell and Curtis McGrath –headline the Seven Network’s unrivalled commentary team as Australia’s Home of the Commonwealth Games unveils another history-making broadcast undertaking with up to 30 exclusive and free, live and replay channels across Seven, 7mate and 7plus.
With an anticipated 200 genuine medal attempts for Australia, Seven has assembled a first-class team of hosts and commentators to deliver its coverage of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Beginning in just 50 days, Birmingham 2022 will mark the country’s second-biggest broadcast and digital event following Seven’s award-winning coverage of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
Australia’s most loved and respected sports broadcaster, Bruce McAvaney, returns for his fifth Commonwealth Games, broadcasting from the UK alongside three-time Australian Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Tamsyn Manou.
Counting down to the much-anticipated Games, Seven today announced its broadcast hosting team will be led by Hamish McLachlan, Abbey Gelmi, Matt Shirvington, Emma Freedman, Johanna Griggs, Abbey Holmes, Ryan Daniels and Trent Copeland, while Mel McLaughlin, Jason Richardson, Amy Parks and Matt Carmichael will be joined in Birmingham by Olympic great Cate Campbell.
Australia’s equal most successful Commonwealth Games athlete, 10-time gold medallist Ian Thorpe, will join Seven’s commentary team to call swimming events following his acclaimed commentary contribution during Seven’s coverage of Tokyo 2020.
Australian Paralympians Annabelle (Annie) Williams and Curtis McGrath will further strengthen Seven’s coverage as they lead the broadcast of the fully-integrated para program, while fellow Commonwealth Games medallists David Culbert, Kate Bates, Georgie Parker, Scott McGrory and Catherine Cox also join the team.
Master broadcaster Basil Zempilas leads an impressive team of callers including the global doyen of cycling commentary, Phil Liggett, rugby expert Greg Clark and accomplished callers Matt Hill, Alister Nicholson, Jon Harker, Liz Chetkovic and Sue Gaudion.
Following an incredible Summer of Cricket on Seven, experienced callers Alison Mitchell and Lisa Sthalekar will provide expert commentary during the T20 cricket, while Australian Rugby Seven’s athlete, Tiana Penitani former professional ironwoman, Candice Warner, and Australian cyclist, Paul van der Ploeg round out the team.
For Bruce McAvaney, anticipation is building in what promises to be an extraordinary Games across 12 days featuring many of the world’s greatest athletes, and Australia’s brightest stars.
“We’ve barely taken a breath since the euphoria of both the Summer and Winter Olympics,” he said.
“Seeing our athletes compete again so soon on the world stage is unprecedented and these Commonwealth Games will showcase the world’s best in many sports that don’t feature elsewhere. Women’s cricket is on show for the first time and netball will see us up against our arch-rivals, New Zealand.
“The integration of para-sports means we get to see our champions such as Madi De Rozario in the same program as Nicola McDermott and Ash Maloney. The flying mullet, Rohan Browning, and Peter Bol are back, as are the Jamaicans and Kenyans who dominate world athletics. We’re formidable in the pool, spearheaded by Emma McKeon and Ariarne Titmus.
“We have a long history of Commonwealth glory. I’m thinking of Deeks and Raelene in Brisbane in 1982 and, 12 years later, Cathy’s lap of honour with the double flag in Canada, plus Kerryn McCann’s emotional marathon win in front of a home crowd in Melbourne in 2006.
“Seven’s team is primed and ready. Our athletes will be at their peak. It’s going to be something very special.”
