Niche sports get their time in the Olympic spotlight

With the Olympics nearly here, sports fans will soon be glued to the television to watch favourites such as swimming and athletics. But another grand Aussie tradition is watching Olympic events one would usually never tune in for, so how do the commentators for those less high-profile sports approach covering them and explaining them to unfamiliar but potential new fans?

When Adam Papalia, a sports broadcaster of almost 20 years whose usual beat is at Nine Radio covering the AFL, was asked if he wanted to commentate his first Olympics covering the Japanese martial art of judo he didn’t hesitate – despite never having commentated the sport.

“I was like, absolutely!” says Papalia. “I’m coming from a long way back, but I’m excited to learn it. It’s not always the people who are fully invested in a sport that cover it, they get a wide range of broadcasters to do it.”

Adam Papalia: the Olympics is on his bucket list.Credit: Nine

He considers the Olympics a “bucket list” dream as a sports journalist, so has thrown himself into intensively learning about the martial art by studying past Olympic matches online and meeting with Judo WA members. Papalia now regards himself as a firm fan of the sport. “Matches can be quite unpredictable and can change very quickly, which makes it really exciting,” he says.

Papalia feels that his lack of experience in the sport could prove a hidden advantage. “I’m hoping that coming from a non-judo background will actually help me translate it to viewers. When it gets to the Olympics a lot of people haven’t watched these sports before. Sometimes if you’re too technical it can be confusing for people, so hopefully, I can break it down and give a fresh set of eyes.”

Olympian turned broadcaster, Caroline Buchanan: “I understand what the riders are going through.”Credit:

Australian cyclist Caroline Buchanan, a two-time Olympian who has won multiple BMX and mountain bike world championships, will this year be on the other side co-commentating her first Olympics for Nine’s Wide World of Sports. She will provide analysis for BMX racing, which was added to the Games in 2008, and be a field reporter for the skateboarding and BMX freestyle, both of appearing at their second Olympics.

“I understand what the riders are going through because I’ve been there,” says Buchanan. “The highs and lows of the sport, the emotions they’re feeling. I think that’s a special part of having an ex-athlete be able to help broadcast that to Australia as I’ve been there and done that.”

Caroline Buchanan in the BMX racing at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

While Colombia currently has the most Olympic medals for BMX racing, Australia is still a definite contender with a promising cohort in Paris this year, Buchanan says. “We’ve got two really strong candidates for medals in Saya Sakakibara and Izaac Kennedy. They’re both fresh off their most consistent years ever, winning the overall World Cup tour, so I think we’ve got great odds.”

For Buchanan, the Olympics’ push to include events that appeal to a youthful audience – such as BMX, skateboarding and new additions sport climbing and breaking – has increased respect for action sports.

“I was fortunate that I was part of that first Olympic Games movement for action sport. BMX racing was the outcast of the Olympics and I think now there really is that credibility for these new action sports that they are professional sports, they are elite trained athletes. I’m so glad that they’re getting that credibility now on an Olympic stage, not just an X Games or Red Bull stage. It’s awesome that the Olympics is actually recognising these really fun, fast action sport events, because it is that new wave.”

Buchanan feels privileged to be able to share her sport on the global stage to diehard fans and viewers who might never have watched before. “Our job is to help everyone understand the moves, the winning, the mental side, the riding, everything going on. So tune in and I think you’re going to be excited for the adrenaline and the emotions. That’s the power of the Olympics every four years. Sport has the ability to connect everyone, and it’s a universal global language.”

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games coverage screens on Nine from Saturday 3am.

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