After a long wait, in just four days the Seven Network will welcome all Australians to a momentous 17 days in history, beginning with Friday’s Olympic Opening Ceremony.
Seven’s Opening Ceremony coverage will be led by Australia’s pre-eminent sport broadcaster Bruce McAvaney, alongside fan favourites Johanna Griggs and Hamish McLachlan.
Joining Seven’s revered team will be Australian broadcaster Kumi Taguchi, who currently hosts Insight on SBS. Her role will include providing commentary on the cultural and artistic elements of the Tokyo 2020 Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
As the most anticipated Olympic Games ever begins this Friday, Seven’s coverage of the Opening Ceremony will run for 4.5 hours and include a post-Ceremony wrap.
Seven’s Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin, said:
“The Olympic Games are part of Seven’s DNA and we have again assembled the very best team to bring you all the action from Tokyo live and free. It all starts with an Opening Ceremony that will be a global event of epic proportions transcending anything we have seen before.
“Against all odds, Japan will showcase its rich history and culture and we are so thrilled to welcome Kumi to the team to share with Australia her knowledge, insights and passion for Japan.”
Taguchi said she felt a great sense of pride to be able to share with all Australians the subtle cultural aspects of a country she loves.
“Japan is my second home. I love the country and its people, and I’m excited to share this passion with a wide audience. On top of that, I have run a marathon, a few half marathons and sailed the Sydney to Hobart – giving me the tiniest insight into physical endurance.
“This opportunity brings together so much of what I value, and to have two media organisations come together to make this happen is truly impressive.”
Over the 17 days of the Olympic Games, Australians can look forward to the country’s biggest-ever broadcast and digital event. For the first time in Australian free-to-air television history, there will be more than 40 dedicated Olympic Games channels across Seven and 7plus, all live, free and in HD.
Exactly 16 days after the Olympic Flame is extinguished in Tokyo, a new one will be lit, signalling the start of the Paralympic Games on 8 August. Seven’s unprecedented coverage across Seven and 7plus will feature up to 16 live streams.
