The gold medals continue to come as the Olympics moves into its final days and the Australian tilt has been nothing but sensational in Paris 2024.
The Fox sisters, Kaylee McKeown and two phenomenally consistent Australian high jumpers have lit up the games.
Not an Aussie without a cold heart could be disappointed with what they have seen thus far and there is plenty to remain hopeful for across the final five days of competition.
Sure, there have been some basketball and hockey disappointments, a disaster for the Matildas and a couple of sub-par performances from athletes for whom we hoped so much more, yet across the board, another Games will pass with the nation feeling nothing but pride.
The same will not be said of the Olympic commentary debut of former national cricket captain Mark Taylor, who for the oddest of reasons took up a chair at the pool to offer his ‘insight’ on the diving competition.
To say it was quite weird and forced is an understatement.
It is hard to dislike ‘Tubby’, an all-round good bloke and legend of the cricket field who commands respect wherever he travels. However, the obviously ill-formed commentary he produced at the pool brought plenty of criticism early on and it is fair to say, just felt a little bit wrong from the get-go.
Taylor aside, has the Olympics been conveyed to you on the screens of Nine in a polished and professional manner?
I must admit to fast-forwarding my tapings soon after Karl Stefanovic appears. His penchant to make the coverage very much about himself and speak in a rather disingenuous manner escapes few and his rather blunt and brash style reminds most of the off-screen moments for which he is famous. He is a hard watch.
Tipping Point host Todd Woodbridge has some Olympic cred and certainly has mastered to art of the Channel Nine hyperbole, the same could be said for fellow tennis champ Dylan Alcott, whilst James Bracey has done a decent job in the joint anchor role back in the studio.
Bracey is well experienced and polished, yet why Ally Langdon is slouched and leaning forward on the desk she shares with him each and every time the coverage cuts to them has had me curious from the opening day. Does she have a bad back, or some issues with her core?
I’m not sure, but now I’ve planted that seed in your head, I’m sure you’ll be watching through a magnified lens.
Whilst Alcott has been passionate and informative, his hosting buddy Leila McKinnon has sounded like a person who has never kicked a ball, picked up a racquet or run once in her life.
Even Alcott looks a little mystified when she starts speaking off the cuff; just wondering where it will end up.
Some of McKinnon’s cheerleading for Australia has bordered on ridiculous, but she is far from alone in that regard.
Dave Culbert has been superb on the coverage of the white water events and has perhaps drawn the best gig at the games.
Andrew Gaze brings knowledge and media savvy to his work on the basketball, whilst Giaan Rooney and Ian Thorpe bring a lovely understated tone to the swimming, calling spades as spades and not passing off fiction for fact.
The lead caller at the pool Mat Thompson needs a long talking to from both. Australian swimmers appeared to be on average two or three spots better in the field than they were actually running in most races.
Every Aussie had a good start and had a chance of a medal until the final 10 metres. Do better Thompson, there is no need to lie to your viewers under the guise of parochialism.
Grace Brown won gold for Australia in road cycling. (Photo by Jan Woitas/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Gerard Whateley is one of the best in the business, yet has been a little rattled out at the Stadium during the athletics thus far. It reminds us all of the brilliance that is Bruce McAveney.
Whateley is decent, but the hyperbole has been laid on thick and Tamsyn Manou has been the most pleasant and comforting voice at the track.
Matt Hill and James Tomkins presented some lovely colour at the rowing, Richard Fox is a star considering the nerves he must be feeling whilst attempting to commentate whilst his children compete and Sam Fricker did his best to make up for Taylor at the diving.
All in all, the coverage has pleased and irritated in equal parts, with the retirement announcement of legendary cycling commentator Phil Liggett reminding us all of just how important the voices we hear during sport actually are.
I hope you have found the coverage enjoyable, despite the world wondering why on earth Mark Taylor is talking about diving.
Stuart Thomashttps://www.theroar.com.au/2024/08/07/tubby-taylor-aside-has-nine-does-justice-to-paris-2024/‘Tubby’ Taylor aside, has Nine done justice to Paris 2024?
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