Australia reacts to news ABC Radio won’t be covering the 2020 Olympics

Australian sports lovers are in shock today after it was revealed the ABC had killed off a longstanding Olympic tradition ahead of the 2020 Games.

The Olympics are going to look a little different for Australians next year.

Australian sports lovers have been stunned by news the ABC won’t chase the radio rights for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, ending the station’s nearly 70-year run as the only non-commercial radio broadcaster of the Games.

The Australian reported on Monday budgetary pressures contributed to the public broadcaster’s decision not to cover next year’s sporting smorgasbord in the Japanese capital.

“This is an incredibly tough decision, especially given our 67-year run as the official non-commercial Olympic Games radio broadcaster,” an ABC spokesman told the publication

“Due to competing budget priorities coupled with the fact that Australians can access Olympic Games coverage in many other ways, we have chosen not to pursue rights in 2020.”

However, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) on Monday hit back, publicly calling for the national broadcaster to reverse its decision.

AOC Chief Executive Officer Matt Carroll said in a statement the ABC has broken its own charter in its decision to snub the Games.

Carroll said the decision is short-sighted.

“The ABC should reconsider this decision,” he said.

“The AOC is prepared to put this case to the Chair of the ABC directly, on behalf of the eight million Australians who participate in Olympic sports.

“Not to mention the millions more who follow, support and celebrate those athletes.

“The AOC believes the decision is monumentally short-sighted and a great let down to Australians who rely on their national broadcaster — from the smallest of communities to our suburbs.

The Tokyo Games will be in a much more friendly timezone for Australian viewers.

Mr Carroll says we live in times when even more Australians should be inspired to participate in sport, to defeat the growing scourges of obesity and mental illness.

“Tokyo 2020 presents such an opportunity to do that, given the time-zone, in particular.

“The Olympics can inspire Australians to embrace something valuable and as the ABC’s charter indicates – to contribute to a sense of national identity. There’s no bigger event in the world to fulfil this ambition.

“There is no sporting movement in Australia that covers the multi-cultural and geographical diversity of our country as the Olympic movement — we will be sending athletes to compete in some 42 disciplines in Tokyo. These are things that go to the heart of the ABC Charter.”

The ABC’s decision has sent shockwaves around the country as sporting and media identities expressed their sadness at the loss of such an iconic tradition.

Commentator Julian Abbott and ABC sportscaster Quentin Hull were among those who lamented the news on social media. Hull called the development a “national shame”.

Having worked on a few games for the ABC, this is a pretty sad state of affairs.. And a games that is in our time zone. Once it’s gone it’s gone forever. pic.twitter.com/IzkGUsqnfM

— Julian Abbott (@JulianBAbbott) November 10, 2019

The ABC will lose part of its DNA by not being at the Tokyo Olympics.

The coverage has always shed a light on amazing stories of not only Australians, but human achievement the world over.

Its a national shame.

— Quentin Hull (@QuentinHull) November 10, 2019

Hull’s tweet sparked a flood of replies. Fox Sports commentator and presenter Adam Peacock said on Twitter: “That’s not good. At all.”

Former sports journalist and now head of communications for the International Association of Athletics Federations Nicole Jeffrey wrote: “So sorry to hear that, Q. It’s a terrible shame. Such a short-sighted decision.”

ABC journalist Bruce Atkinson said “that sucks mate” and former Australian Olympian Dave Culbert, who competed in track and field at the 1988 and 1992 Games, tweeted: “A sad day indeed.”

It’s rare for England to show Australians any sympathy in the sporting realm but BBC athletics commentator Ed Harry was also taken aback by the news.

“Terrible news. Been lucky enough to observe yourself and ABC colleagues at close quarters doing what you do best, being the eyes and ears of your listeners, brilliantly,” Harry tweeted in response to Hull.

“Hope there’s a way back from this and some decision makers actually do the right thing mate.”

Australian Olympic swimmer Maddie Groves said the decision was “such a shame” while NRL reporter Brad Walter added: “This decision was clearly made by an accountant and not someone with any grasp on the ABC’s charter or how this will damage its brand.”

‘End of an era’ is a term that gets thrown around too much, but no ABC Radio at the Olympics really is that.

— Ashley Browne (@hashbrowne) November 10, 2019

I can remember lying in bed as a kid to the ABC radio call of Kieran Perkins in Barcelona... plus plenty of other unforgettable Olympics moments. This is terrible news... hard to believe given every major news organisation on the planet will be there https://t.co/ky4VI3sz9q

— Phil Lutton (@phillutton78) November 10, 2019

The ABC reckons it can’t find money within its $1 billion government appropriation to cover the Olympics. Something seriously amiss at Ultimo. https://t.co/fkE0qwIxSe

— Chip Le Grand (@Melbchief) November 10, 2019

Channel 7 is Australia’s official television broadcaster for the Olympics and while the ABC has provided live radio coverage of the Games since 1952, the cost associated with covering such a large event meant it was no longer viable.

The Olympics will begin in late July and run for nearly three weeks before finishing in early August.

Last month controversy was brewing over the marathon at the Games, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the 42km run would be moved from Tokyo to the northern city of Sapporo so athletes could avoid the worst of the extreme summer heat in the Japanese capital.

The announcement enraged Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, who said at the beginning of discussions with the IOC she still wanted the marathon and race walk events to remain in the capital.

Despite the opposition, both parties eventually agreed to terms that would see the marathon take place in Sapporo.