Seven to restart Olympic countdown

July one year until the rescheduled 2020 Olympics in Tokyo (fingers crossed?).

Seven has announced two specials that revisit the Sydney 2000 games.

The significant element of this programming release is that it reiterates the network is not about to walk away, or on-sell, any broadcast next year.

“The only place to watch Tokyo 2020 is the Home of the Olympics on Seven,” a release notes.

Head of Olympics and Commonwealth Games Seven West Media Andy Kay commented: “As one of only five countries that have competed at every Olympiad since 1896, the Olympic Games is deeply etched into Australia’s sporting DNA. That was never more evident than in Sydney 2000. For those who were there and the many more who watched on Seven, the memories of Australia’s greatest ever sporting moment will always remain. And with Tokyo 2020 now just one year away, what better time to relive the magic of Sydney – and to look forward to the next exciting chapter in our rich Olympic history.”

Chief Revenue Officer and Director of Olympics Kurt Burnette added: “These moments are etched into Australian minds forever. We’ve seen research prove nostalgia has played a big role in the Australian psyche through COVID-19 and lockdown. We will use these great moments of the past to remind Australia of the good times, the pride and inspiration all of which can come again. Those elements have never been more relevant, to importantly then propel and project forward to Tokyo. To create anticipation and a sense of pride of what is to come. Culminating in a celebration on air across Sunrise, 7NEWS, The Morning Show and our AFL coverage – with more celebration to come in September for the 20-year anniversary of Sydney 2000.”

Wednesday July 29
Towards Tokyo: The Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Sydney 2000 Uncovered
9.15pm on Channel 7

The Opening Ceremony in Sydney was the show that stopped a nation, with more than 10 million metropolitan viewers tuning in on Seven. On Wednesday, July 29 – just days after the one-year countdown to the Games – Australians can rediscover all the unforgettable moments and, for the first time, hear the inside secrets behind the night’s spectacular successes and near-disasters.

This once-in-a-lifetime special event, The Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Sydney 2000 Uncovered, features newly filmed interviews with the people who made that landmark night so special, including:

· Headline acts Vanessa Amorosi, James Morrison, Human Nature, Adam Garcia, Djakapurra Munyarryun and Nikki Webster, whose spectacular performance at just 13 years of age wowed the world

· The creative geniuses behind the Ceremony and two of the world’s greatest show producers, David Atkins and Ric Birch and their contemporaries, the brilliant Dein Perry, Rhoda Roberts, Meryl Tankard, Lex Marinos and Chong Lim.

· Stunning performances from John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, Tina Arena and Julie Anthony

· Australian Olympic Flag bearer Andrew Gaze and the hometown hero who stole the whole show, Catherine Freeman

· And, just as importantly, the impressionable youngsters whose Olympic dream was born on that inspirational night: Tokyo 2020 medal contenders Cate Campbell, Bronte Campbell, Jess Fox, Mack Horton, Emma McKeon and Ellia Green.

Wednesday August 5
Towards Tokyo: Olympic Games Sydney 2000 Moments That Moved Us
9.15pm on Channel 7
Then on Wednesday, August 5, Seven will take fans back to the extraordinary two weeks of competition that followed in Sydney with a two-hour special on the Olympic Games Sydney 2000 Moments that Moved Us.

Hosted by Sunrise’s Mark Beretta, Seven’s Olympic Games experts led by Bruce McAvaney, Johanna Griggs, Mark Beretta, Dennis Cometti, Pat Welsh, Lord Sebastian Coe, Tamsyn Manou and Raelene Boyle have revisited the Games of the XXVII Olympiad and caught up with some of the athletes whose deeds captivated the nation. They include:

· Swimming stars Ian Thorpe, Susie O’Neill, Grant Hackett, Kieren Perkins, Michael Klim, Bill Kirby and Todd Pearson

· Gold medalists Andrew Hoy (equestrian), Lauren Burns (taekwondo), Rechelle Hawkes (hockey), Yvette Higgins (water polo), Kerri Pottharst and Natalie Cook (beach volleyball), and Belinda Stowell (sailing, 470 Class)

· Silver medalists and fan favourites Tatiana Grigorieva (pole vault) and Ji Wallace (trampoline gymnastics)

· International track and field Superstars Maurice Greene, Ato Boldon and Michael Johnson

And who could forget the laughs Roy and HG delivered each night in Sydney with their unique take on the day’s events on The Dream?

You’ll hear stories that have never been told, see teammates reunited, and laugh and cry at moments that have become part of our national sporting fabric.

And our Sydney heroes have some advice for those heading to Tokyo on how to make their dreams come true.