The 2008 Beijing Olympics
and Paralympics
on the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳
³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 5 Live at the Olympics
³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 5 Live is the nation's Olympic radio
station with round-the-clock coverage from
the 2008 games in Beijing, and digital sister
station ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ 5 Live Sports Extra offering alternative
commentary options.
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In an increasingly mobile
world, content will also be available across
multiple platforms including podcasts,
vodcasts, mobile, online and interactive.
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The
seven-hour time difference between the UK
and China means 5 Live's 24-hour rolling
news and sport remit comes into its own with
programming through the night, at breakfast
and the early afternoon with full round-ups
every morning and evening.
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An outstanding line-up of former Olympians
is on the 5 Live broadcast team for Beijing,
boasting 11 Olympic medals between them
and numerous World, Commonwealth and
European titles.
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Two of Britain's most
successful sprinters, Darren Campbell, who
won gold in the 4 x 100m relay in Athens
and silver in the individual 200m in Sydney,
and Katharine Merry, who won individual
400m bronze in Sydney, will bring all the
news from the Olympic village and reports
across the event, plus expert analysis from
the athletics stadium.
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Also on the athletics team are javelin champion
Steve Backley, who won two silver and one
bronze medal in three successive Olympic
Games, and former Commonwealth and
European 400m medallist Allison Curbishley.
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Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Chris
Boardman is on board as expert pundit for
the cycling events and double rowing medallist in two successive games, Martin
Cross, who took gold in Los Angeles and
bronze in Moscow, joins the team at the
rowing park.
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At the poolside to analyse all
the action will be Olympic bronze medallist
Steve Parry and three times World
Champion Karen Pickering.
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They join top 5 Live names Nicky Campbell,
John Inverdale, Mark Pougatch, Simon Mayo and Peter Allen, who are anchoring the
coverage from China to bring a schedule
packed with sport, news and culture.
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Programmes will include live commentary,
news and analysis, plus top name athletes
and guests.
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Comedian and 5 Live favourite Dom Joly is out in Beijing working on various projects
and will be dialling in to 5 Live on a daily
basis to bring his own unique take on the
events in Beijing – expect plenty of humour
and the kind of analysis you won't be hearing
elsewhere.
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Key commentators in China include Alan
Green, who is back behind the microphone
at the rowing hoping to commentate on
more gold medal success for the British
team, and John Murray, bringing all the action
from the triathlon, modern pentathlon and
equestrian's three-day eventing in Hong
Kong.
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Radio 5 Live's athletics expert Mike Costello commentates on the track and field events,
plus the boxing along with Simon Brotherton,
who also leads on cycling.
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Plus there is Jonathan Overend at the tennis,
Bob Ballard at the pool and Juliette Ferrington in Qingdao for the sailing.
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Nick Mullins will be on hand to guide
listeners through the spectacular opening and
closing ceremonies.
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Adrian Van Klaveren, Controller Radio 5
Live, says: "The Olympics play to all of
5 Live's unique strengths and let us display
the best of what we do.
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"Our presenters, commentators and analysts will guide
listeners through the drama of the Games
and we will showcase our multiplatform
offering more than ever before.
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"What we're aiming for is to draw in the
listener to make them really feel that this is
their event and they are part of it."
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