Phil Liggett joins Seven Olympic commentary team

Seven has announced legendary cycling commentator Phil Liggett for its commentary team for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in July.

Liggett will call his 16th Olympics alongside Anna Meares and Scott McGrory, covering action at the Olympic velodrome.

“Tokyo 2020 has been a long time coming and I’m over the moon to be part of Seven’s team again. Of the Olympic Games I’ve worked on, this shapes as the most challenging of them all, but cyclists are the toughest people in the world and I expect them to rise to the occasion,” he said.

“The competition in Tokyo will be fiercer than ever, but there’s so much to look forward to for the Aussies. On the track, there’s obviously the team pursuit and we’re also expecting big things for Matt Glaetzer, as we are for stars like Richie Porte and Rohan Dennis on the road. I can’t wait for it all to get started.”

Over a glittering 54-year career, Liggett has entrenched himself as cycling’s most authoritative voice. Later this month, he will begin covering a remarkable 49th Tour de France, while Tokyo 2020 will be his 16th Olympic Games.

Among a litany of professional accolades, Liggett was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2005 for services to cycling and inducted into the British Cycling Hall of Fame in 2009.

Liggett’s signing bolsters Seven’s already unbeatable Olympic Games commentary team, which will be led by Australia’s most loved and respected sport broadcaster, Bruce McAvaney.

Seven’s commentary line-up includes Australia’s greatest-ever Olympian Ian Thorpe, along with fellow gold medallists Nick Green, Giaan Rooney, Russell Mark, Debbie Watson and Kerri Pottharst. Decorated Olympians Rachael Sporn, Tamsyn Lewis-Manou and David Culbert, and former champion ironwoman Candice Warner, will also be part of the team.

Liggett said he was counting down the days until the start of the world’s greatest sporting event in Tokyo.