ABC Local Radio’s broadcast of the 2008 Games from Beijing will continue the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s proud history as an Olympic broadcaster. That history has continued unbroken since 1936 with ABC radio providing comprehensive, independent coverage of every Games since then.

An experienced and skilled team of 28 broadcasters, journalists and technical staff will bring Australians all the action from Beijing. Broadcasting over 180 hours of coverage of the Olympic Games, ABC Local Radio (excluding 702 ABC Sydney*) will be the place to hear every classic moment, live, through the afternoon and evening from 8 to 24 August 2008.

With dedicated venue commentary positions at many of the Beijing venues, and access to athletes, officials and production facilities, ABC Local Radio will bring listeners live commentary and reports from every major Games event. Highlights will include live coverage of swimming, track and field, cycling, rowing and sprint canoeing as well as team events involving Australian competitors. The commentary team includes:
Gerry Collins with Susie O’Neill - Swimming
David Morrow with Peter Hadfield - Track and Field
Glenn Mitchell - Cycling
Peter Walsh - Basketball
Drew Morphett with Claire Mitchell-Tavener - Hockey
Tim Gavel with Peter Antonie - Rowing and Canoeing
Reporting on a variety of sports will be Tracey Holmes, Gerard Whateley, Charlie King, Quentin Hull and Caroline Davison. Peter Longman is Executive Producer and Scott Whyte is the Technical Producer.

The Games broadcasts on ABC Local Radio’s network can be heard by more than 99% of the Australian population. ABC Local Radio through its Grandstand team is pleased to have secured the non-commercial broadcast rights for audiences to enjoy the best of national and international sporting events including:
2008 Australia/India Test series
2008 NRL & Rugby League World Cup
2008/09 AFL
2009 Ashes Test series
2009 World 20/20
2009 Womens World Cup Cricket
2009/10 Australian Open Tennis
2011 Cricket World Cup


ABC Local Radio coverage will also be supported by a comprehensive website providing information on athletes and events, records and results, Games history and complete details of daily coverage. Go to:

abc.net.au/olympics
* Regretfully, due to the non-commercial radio broadcast rights agreement for these Games, 702 ABC Sydney will carry all the news & results from Beijing, but is not permitted to bring audiences full live commentary.