OP
can’t believe we didn’t have one already - although upon checking Bacco only opened the Tokyo thread in July of 2021
Discussion of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games - the event itsself not the media coverage. Begins July 26.
4 Likes
A thread that gained a bit of traction online, many essentially saying a lack of buzz in the lead-up to this year’s Olympics and they used to be better.
But I recall thinking and saying the same right here back in 2021 before Tokyo… Yet bang! Opening Ceremony exploded to nearly 2.7m metro broadcast on Seven and the rest was history. A memorable and record games in more ways than one, depsite the obvious COVID presence.
LINK:
https://x.com/cmizzy1/status/1799408845003116999?t=-q-7vJHMWGX2yAFXAMHRAQ&s=19
3 Likes
More going on in the world at the moment that is shadowing the Olympics (Israel-Gaza war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, one of the most important US election campaigns).
Timezone will probably also impact interests of Australians - though I do assume that it will still rate it’s socks off.
There will probably be more of a build up closer to the games though.
4 Likes
I also think that with there being orders of magnitude more viewing choices around now than in the days where FTA TV was dominant, this has hurt the Olympics appeal with some casual viewers.
Back in 2004 and 2008 for example, it was on 2 of the 5 FTA channels (Seven and SBS), it was very difficult to avoid. Nowadays it’s on 2 of around 20 FTA multichannels (FTA TV being well beyond it’s peak too now), and there are so many more viewing options these days with streaming.
The Olympic brand also isn’t what it once was. There used to be a lot of prestige and excitement around having the privilege of hosting the games- these days getting public support for an Olympic bid is a lot harder politically especially if host city infrastructure is already struggling in other areas like health, transport or education.
4 Likes
Usually I am sick of hearing about the Olympics months before it starts. When there aren’t any real headlines, the media is beating up stupid controversies. I think the balance is right this time, I know it’s coming but not being shoved down my throat.
4 Likes
With no LA 2028 set up yet, news today that the swimming will be pushed back to the second week of those games to accommodate the transformation of SoFi Stadium from opening ceremony venue to swimming venue.
Very creative from the LA organizers to use existing premium venues for the games.
Probably disappointing for Australians with what will be a slow start to the medal tally in 2028 as we have to wait until the back end to lift the tally as we aren’t that good at track and field.
With Brisbane not having any real premium venues aside from suncorp they will have to get more creative. Unbelievable that they are being so tight with budgets on all of this. I know they need hospitals and schools but this is 2032 we are talking about. They need to plan, save and budget.
Anyway lots of food for thought.
3 Likes
Apparently the QLD Government is going to be building a 18,000 seated aquatics centre.
Apart from that I don’t think there are any other premium venues besides Suncorp.
1 Like
US Olympic athletes have lost faith in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to rid their sports of cheaters ahead of next month’s Summer Games in Paris, two former gold medallists told a House subcommittee.
The testimony by Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt followed revelations this spring that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned heart medication ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 but were allowed by WADA to compete. Five of those swimmers went on to win medals, including three golds.
1 Like
What they were going to do was build a new arena on top of where Roma St station would be, have a temporary pool inside then post Olympics have that as an inner city concert centre and home for the Bullets NBL team.
1 Like
1 Like
Scentre Group, together with the Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia, today announced Westfield as the official partner of the Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams.
The strategic partnership will see all 37 Westfield destinations across Australia transform into official Live Sites for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. From July, customers can visit their local Westfield centre to enjoy dedicated live-streams of key events and matches direct from Paris as well as enjoy Olympic and Paralympic themed events, live music and more.
Scentre Group’s partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia will also extend to the 2026 Milan Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
1 Like
Nine’s feeds I assume, whether special links directly from them or just plugging into their broadcast or digital feeds as per public.
1 Like
2 Likes
The chief executive of Paralympics Australia has quit only a month out from the beginning of the Paris Games.
Paralympics Australia ¶ announced in a statement on Wednesday that Catherine Clark had resigned following a two-and-a-half-year stint in the job, but the organisation did not give a reason for her departure.
4 Likes
2 Likes
Melbourne’s Federation Square will be a live site for the upcoming Paris Olympics and Paralympics. It will screen every day of the Olympic and Paralympic action with highlights and replays on the big screen from 12pm to 4pm daily, followed by Nine’s live broadcast from 4pm to 10pm.
Entry to the live site is free, however you will need to register for a free ticket to see the live screening of the Matildas’ three group games (and subsequent matches if they qualify for the knockout stages).
More info and register at this link.
2 Likes
Which fall outside of that 10pm end time.
Hard to get excited for something that comes around every four years or so 
Not sure how we’ll Australia will do but hoping they do well at least.
I start second semester around when it status so I won’t be watching it. Probably get acquainted with just highlights .
Where will the highlights be ? On 9Now?