Spotlight: Heroes of the Games

With Tokyo 2020 closed -until the Paralympics later this month- Seven screens a Spotlight special tonight, “Heroes of the Games.”

Hosted by Matt Shirvington and Edwina Bartholomew this salutes Australian Olympians.

Bruce McAvaney said: “Notwithstanding the wonderment of the Tokyo Games actually going ahead, in terms of performances, they are arguably the most memorable Olympics of my lifetime on foreign soil.

“We’ve seen the emergence of a new group of champions. We’ve watched them give their absolute best, we know how hard they’ve worked to get there and we’ve shared moments of joy and sorrow alongside their families and friends.

“There are some standout performances that seem to have struck a chord with us all. We need a lift right now and a story to follow and those have built up as the Games have evolved. In many ways these Games have reignited an appreciation of the Olympic Games. What a run up we now have to Brisbane 2032.”

Amid the gloom of the global pandemic, the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 has been a beacon of hope, reuniting the world over 17 days of iconic sporting moments, unthinkable courage and uplifting sportsmanship and camaraderie.

This special event will feature a roll call of Australia’s Tokyo 2020 heroes, including swimming stars Emma McKeon, Ariarne Titmus, Kaylee McKeown, and Cate and Bronte Campbell, along with canoeing golden girl Jessica Fox, rising athletic stars Rohan Browning and Peter Bol, and gold medallists Logan Martin (BMX), Keegan Palmer (skateboarding), Alex Hill, Rosie Popa (rowing), Mat Belcher and Will Ryan (sailing).

Each will take fans behind the scenes of their Tokyo campaigns – what it took to get there, how they did it on the day and where to next. Importantly, they will get a chance to say thank you to Australia for the overwhelming support they received from home.

Australia’s pre-eminent Olympic broadcaster Bruce McAvaney and athletics legend Catherine Freeman will also share their favourite moments of Tokyo 2020 along with their top-five greatest Olympic moments of all time, while swimming legend Grant Hackett will also share his unique insights.

And household-name Aussies including Paul Hogan, Delta Goodrem and Prime Minister Scott Morrison give their heart-felt thanks to our Olympic team for the way they inspired the nation.

9.15pm Monday on Seven.