Jump to content

Olympics on ABC commentators: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Adding sources for the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Line 236: Line 236:
|-
|-
|[[Bobsleigh at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Bobsled]]
|[[Bobsleigh at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Bobsled]]
|[[Tim Brant]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Alfano|first=Peter|date=February 14, 1984|title=TV SPORTS; UNEVEN WEEK OF COVERAGE AT SARAJEVO|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/14/sports/tv-sports-uneven-week-of-coverage-at-sarajevo.html|work=The New York Times|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref>
|[[Tim Brant]]
|[[John Morgan (broadcaster)|John Morgan]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Fang|first=Ken|date=January 7, 2014|title=Your 2014 Winter Olympics announcing assignments|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/2014/your-2014-winter-olympics-announcing-assignments.html|work=Awful Announcing|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref>
|[[John Morgan (broadcaster)|John Morgan]]
|-
|-
|[[Ski jumping at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Ski Jumping]]
|[[Ski jumping at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Ski Jumping]]
|[[Keith Jackson]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Fang|first=Ken|date=January 16, 2018|title=An appreciation of Keith Jackson|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/ncaa/appreciation-keith-jackson.html|work=Awful Announcing|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref>
|[[Keith Jackson]]
|[[Jay Rand]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Flynn|first=Andy|date=March 3, 2022|title=OLYMPIC LEGACY: Wild weather blues|url=https://www.lakeplacidnews.com/news/local-news/2022/03/03/olympic-legacy-wild-weather-blues/|work=Lake Placid News|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref>
|[[Jay Rand]]
|-
|-
|[[Cross-country skiing at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Cross Country]]
|[[Cross-country skiing at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Cross Country]]
|[[Jack Whitaker]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=first&p=347&item=B:00863|title=OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES, THE XIV {1984 SARAJEVO OLYMPICS} {1984/02/18}, PART 4 (TV)|last= |first= |date= |website=The Paley Center for Media|publisher= |access-date=May 27, 2024|quote=}}</ref>
|[[Jack Whitaker]]
|Jack Turner<ref>{{cite web |url=https://electjackturner.com/unique-experience/|title=Unique Experience - Elect Jack Turner|last= |first= |date= |website=electjackturner|publisher= |access-date=May 27, 2024|quote=}}</ref>
|Jack Turner
|[[Diana Nyad]]
|[[Diana Nyad]]
|-
|-
|[[Alpine skiing at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Alpine Skiing]]
|[[Alpine skiing at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Alpine Skiing]]
|[[Frank Gifford]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Alfano|first=Peter|date=February 21, 1984|title=TV SPORTS; FLAG-WAVING AT OLYMPICS|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/21/sports/tv-sports-flag-waving-at-olympics.html|work=The New York Times|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref><br>[[Jim Lampley]] (women's downhill)
|[[Frank Gifford]]<br>[[Jim Lampley]] (women's downhill)
|[[Bob Beattie (skiing)|Bob Beattie]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cubuffs.com/honors/cu-athletic-hall-of-fame/bob-beattie/9|title=Bob Beattie (2014) - CU Athletic Hall of Fame|last= |first= |date= |website=University of Colorado Athletics|publisher= |access-date=May 27, 2024|quote=}}</ref><br>[[Cindy Nelson]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Goldberg|first=Dave|date=February 12, 1984|title=Olympic Tv Coverage Hasn't Held Public's Interest. Its ... - Page 104|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=86UfAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA104&dq=1984+Winter+Olympics+ABC+Cindy+Nelson&article_id=2887,2284904&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiKsoKF5K-GAxVJ48kDHYQLDdUQ6AF6BAgKEAI#v=onepage&q=1984%20Winter%20Olympics%20ABC%20Cindy%20Nelson&f=false|work=Gadsden Times|location= |access-date=}}</ref> (women's downhill)
|[[Bob Beattie (skiing)|Bob Beattie]]<br>[[Cindy Nelson]] (women's downhill)
|-
|-
|[[Luge at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Luge]]
|[[Luge at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Luge]]
|[[Sam Posey]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=jack&p=67&item=B:00839|title=OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES, THE XIV {1984 SARAJEVO OLYMPICS} {1984/02/13}, PART 2 (TV)|last= |first= |date= |website=The Paley Center for Media|publisher= |access-date=May 27, 2024|quote=}}</ref>
|[[Sam Posey]]
|[[Jeff Tucker (luger)|Jeff Tucker]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Carrns|first=Ann|date=August 5, 1996|title=Former lugers race in real estate|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/1996/08/05/story7.html|work=Atlanta Business Journal|location= |access-date=}}</ref>
|[[Jeff Tucker (luger)|Jeff Tucker]]
|-
|-
|[[Figure skating at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Figure Skating]]
|[[Figure skating at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Figure Skating]]
|[[Al Michaels]]<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Al Michaels|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/pressbox/bios/al-michaels|work=NBC Sports|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref>
|[[Al Michaels]]
|[[Peggy Fleming]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Martzke|first=Rudy|date=February 4, 1984|title=1984 Winter Olympics rights fees|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-cloud-times-1984-winter-olympics-rig/21815834/|work=St. Cloud Times|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref> and [[Dick Button]]<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=February 27, 1984|title=ABC: TOO MANY HOURS, NOT ENOUGH MOMENTS|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1984/02/27/abc-too-many-hours-not-enough-moments|work=Sports Illustrated|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref>
|[[Peggy Fleming]] and [[Dick Button]]
|-
|-
|[[Ice hockey at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Ice Hockey]]
|[[Ice hockey at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Ice Hockey]]
|[[Al Michaels]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Rosenberg|first=Howard|date=February 14, 1984|title=Olympic Commentator Dick Button Is Lone Romantic Of Sports ...|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IM5cAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA7&dq=1984+Winter+Olympics+ABC+Al+Michaels+Ice+hockey&article_id=4038,2236103&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj81Z7c3a-GAxVX6ckDHac2Dck4ChDoAXoECAQQAg#v=onepage&q=1984%20Winter%20Olympics%20ABC%20Al%20Michaels%20Ice%20hockey&f=false|work= St. Joseph News-Press|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref><br>[[Don Chevrier]]<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=February 4, 1984|title=The Albany Herald - Page 9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9wtSAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&dq=1984+Winter+Olympics+ABC+Don+Chevrier+Ice+hockey&article_id=3108,531200&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiJ45ah3q-GAxUR4MkDHWMPCeIQ6AF6BAgJEAI#v=onepage&q&f=false|work=The Albany Herald|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref>
|[[Al Michaels]]<br>[[Don Chevrier]]
|[[Ken Dryden]]<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=December 29, 1984|title=The Financial Post - Page 24|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V24_AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA24&dq=1984+Winter+Olympics+ABC+Ken+Dryden+Ice+hockey&article_id=1725,5694371&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwib9rqs36-GAxVeTjABHaUrAYoQ6AF6BAgHEAI#v=onepage&q=1984%20Winter%20Olympics%20ABC%20Ken%20Dryden%20Ice%20hockey&f=false|work=The Financial Post|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref><br>[[Mike Eruzione]]<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=February 22, 2023|title=Mike Eruzione, Gold Medalist & “Miracle on Ice” Legend, to be Keynote Speaker at Manufacturers’ Association’s 117th Annual Event|url=https://www.lancasterchamber.com/news/mike-eruzione-gold-medalist-miracle-on-ice-legend-to-be-keynote-speaker-at-manufacturers-associations-117th-annual-event/|work=Lancaster Chamber|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref>
|[[Ken Dryden]]<br>[[Mike Eruzione]]
|-
|-
|[[Speed skating at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Speed Skating]]
|[[Speed skating at the 1984 Winter Olympics|Speed Skating]]
|[[Keith Jackson]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Kornheiser|first=Tony|date=February 10, 1984|title=ABC's Game, but Show Is Gamey |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1984/02/11/abcs-game-but-show-is-gamey/6403a096-10cf-412c-b4f4-08f3d9a74ec4/|work=The Washington Post|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref><br>[[Don Chevrier]]<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=February 4, 1984|title=Abc To Begin Record Coverage Of Winter Olympics. - Page 25|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AvlVAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA25&dq=1984+Winter+Olympics+ABC+Don+Chevrier+Speed+skating&article_id=5479,867486&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjv_Zah4K-GAxWXtokEHSQcCrcQ6AF6BAgIEAI#v=onepage&q=1984%20Winter%20Olympics%20ABC%20Don%20Chevrier%20Speed%20skating&f=false|work=Eugene Register-Guard|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref> (men's 5000)
|[[Keith Jackson]]<br>[[Don Chevrier]] (men's 5000)
|[[Eric Heiden]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Schwartz|first=Larry|date= |title=Eric Heiden was a reluctant hero |url=https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014225.html|work=ESPN|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref>
|[[Eric Heiden]]
|}
|}


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Features
!Features
|[[Hughes Rudd]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Goldberg|first=Dave|date=February 8, 1984|title=Lavish Abc Production Begins Search For New Olympic Heroes ...|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZiovAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA14&dq=1984+Winter+Olympics+ABC+Hughes+Rudd&article_id=1365,4183549&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiv3b774K-GAxUmRjABHTYBDpoQ6AF6BAgLEAI#v=onepage&q=1984%20Winter%20Olympics%20ABC%20Hughes%20Rudd&f=false|work=Kentucky New Era|location= |access-date=May 27, 2024}}</ref><br>[[Ray Gandolf]]<br>[[Jim Lampley]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=first&p=515&item=B:00824|title=OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES, THE XIV {1984 SARAJEVO OLYMPICS} {1984/02/11}, PART 5 (TV)|last= |first= |date= |website=The Paley Center for Media|publisher= |access-date=May 27, 2024|quote=}}</ref><br>[[Dick Schaap]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=first&p=290&item=B:00844|title=OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES, THE XIV {1984 SARAJEVO OLYMPICS} {1984/02/13}, PART 4 (TV)|last= |first= |date= |website=The Paley Center for Media|publisher= |access-date=May 27, 2024|quote=}}</ref><br>[[Anne Simon (sportscaster)|Anne Simon]]<br>Terre Blair<br>[[Barbara Kolonay]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Yake|first=D. Byron|date=February 1, 1984|title=Sports Psychologist Working To Improve Athletes' Performances .|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=24wyAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA54&dq=1984+Winter+Olympics+ABC+Barbara+Kolonay&article_id=1235,2344412&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjTzdjs4q-GAxV448kDHYAlC0MQ6AF6BAgIEAI#v=onepage&q=1984%20Winter%20Olympics%20ABC%20Barbara%20Kolonay&f=false|work=Gettysburg Times |location= |access-date=May 28, 2024}}</ref>
|[[Hughes Rudd]]<br>[[Ray Gandolf]]<br>[[Jim Lampley]]<br>[[Dick Schaap]]<br>[[Anne Simon (sportscaster)|Anne Simon]]<br>Terre Blair<br>[[Barbara Kolonay]]
|}
|}


Revision as of 07:07, 28 May 2024

The following is a list of commentators that were featured in the American Broadcasting Company's (ABC) television coverage of the Olympic Games from the its first Olympic Games, the 1964 Winter Olympics through the 1988 Winter Olympics, its final Olympic telecast to date.

Hosts

Winter Olympic Games

Year Prime-Time Host Daytime Host(s) Late-Night Host(s)
1964 Winter Jim McKay[1][2]
1968 Winter Chris Schenkel
Jim McKay [a]
1976 Winter Jim McKay[3]
1980 Winter Jim McKay[4][5]
1984 Winter Jim McKay Jim Lampley[6]
Kathleen Sullivan[7][8] 		Donna de Varona[9][10]
1988 Winter Jim McKay[11][12][13]
Keith Jackson[14][15] [b] 		Keith Jackson[17] Frank Gifford[18]
Kathie Lee Gifford[19]

Summer Olympic Games

Year Prime-Time Host Daytime Host(s) Late-Night Host(s)
1968 Chris Schenkel[20]
1972 Chris Schenkel[21]
1976 Jim McKay[1]
1984 Jim McKay Frank Gifford
Kathleen Sullivan[22] 		Jim Lampley[23]
Donna de Varona

By event

Winter Olympics

1964

Event Play-by-play Color commentator(s)
Skiing Jim McKay[24] Andrea Mead Lawrence[25]
Willy Schaeffler[26]
Figure Skating Dick Button[27] Carol Heiss[28]
Bobsled Stan Benham[29]

1968

Event Play-by-play Color commentator(s)
Skiing Jim McKay
Figure Skating Chris Schenkel[30] Dick Button[31]
Hockey Curt Gowdy[32]
Ski Jumping Art Devlin[33]

1976

Event Play-by-play Color commentators
Skiing Frank Gifford[34] Bob Beattie[35]
Karl Schranz[36]
Figure Skating Chris Schenkel[37] Dick Button[38]
Hockey Curt Gowdy[39] Brian Conacher
Bobsled Curt Gowdy[40] Paul Lamey[41]
Luge Jackie Stewart Paul Lamey
Ski Jumping Art Devlin[42][43]
Speed Skating Warner Wolf[44] Anne Henning[45]
Features Jim Lampley[46]
Pierre Salinger[47][48]

ABC Sports hired Bob Beattie as a ski-racing commentator, where he was frequently paired with Frank Gifford, a former NFL running back. Beattie's television work included alpine commentary during ABC's coverage of four Winter Olympics in 1976, 1980, 1984,[49] and 1988,[50] and also covered volleyball at the 1984 Summer Olympics.[51] He later worked as ABC's winter sports correspondent, which also involved non-alpine sports,[52] and occasionally worked as an announcer for non-winter sports on ABC's Wide World of Sports program.[53]

1980[54][55]

Event Play-by-play Color commentators Reporters
Opening Ceremony Jim McKay
Figure Skating Jim McKay Dick Button
Speed Skating Keith Jackson Sheila Young Ochowitz
Hockey Al Michaels Ken Dryden
Skiing Frank Gifford Bob Beattie
Susie Patterson
Bobsled Curt Gowdy
Jackie Stewart 		Paul Lamey
Cross Country Bill Flemming Peter Graves
Ski Jumping Chris Schenkel Art Devlin
Luge Curt Gowdy Bill Caterino
Closing Ceremony Jim McKay
Features Jim Lampley
Don Meredith

One of Al Michaels's more famous broadcasts were of the 1980 Winter Olympics ice hockey medal round match between the United States and the Soviet Union, and the attempted third game of the 1989 World Series.

In 1980, an unheralded group of college ice hockey players from the United States won the gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games. The medal round match on February 22—which, contrary to popular belief, did not yet assure the team of the gold medal—was of particular interest, as it was played against a heavily favored professional squad from the Soviet Union, and was in front of an incredibly excited pro-American crowd in Lake Placid, New York. Michaels's memorable broadcast of this game, including his interjection—"Do you believe in miracles? YES!"—as time expired on the 4–3 U.S. victory, earned the game the media nickname of The Miracle on Ice.

Most assume that the game was broadcast live (indeed, CTV, which held Canadian rights to the game, aired it live); but in reality, the game started at 5:05 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and ABC decided against pre-empting local and network news (on the East Coast) to carry the game live. Instead, most of it—including the entire third period—was broadcast within the regularly scheduled, prime-time telecast from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Eastern time (and on a six-and-a-half-hour delay on the West Coast from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Pacific Standard Time). Despite being on tape, the game was one of the highest-rated programs of the 1979–80 television season and remains the most-watched ice hockey game in the history of American television.[56]

Michaels, along with broadcasting partner Ken Dryden, recreated their Olympic commentary in the 2004 movie Miracle. Although Michaels and Dryden recreated the bulk of their commentary for the film, the closing seconds of the game against the Soviet Union used the original ABC Sports commentary from 1980. Gavin O'Connor, the director of Miracle, decided to use the last 10 seconds of Michaels's original "Do you believe in miracles? YES!" call in the film because he felt he couldn't ask him to recreate the emotion he experienced at that moment. Thus they cleaned up the recording to make the transition to the authentic call as seamless as possible.

Michaels later recalled, "When I look back, obviously Lake Placid would be the highlight of my career. I can't think of anything that would ever top it. I can't dream up a scenario."

Michaels was only on this particular assignment because he had done one hockey game,[57] eight years prior. The game in question was the gold medal game (the Soviet Union vs. Czechoslovakia) of the 1972 Winter Olympics (on NBC) in Sapporo, Japan. Other announcers on the ABC Sports roster such as Keith Jackson, Frank Gifford, and Howard Cosell had never done a hockey game before. Michaels recalled this during a Real Sports interview in January 2009. Michaels also apparently beat out WABC-AM and New York Islanders commentator George Michael for the assignment.[58][59]

Two days later, Michaels would broadcast the gold medal game, in which the U.S. defeated Finland, closing the game out by declaring "This impossible dream comes true!"

Al Michaels continued serving as ABC's lead play-by-play announcer for their ice hockey coverage for their next two Winter Olympics, both with Dryden, the lead color commentator. In 1984 from Sarajevo, Mike Eruzione, who was the captain of the gold medal-winning United States ice hockey team from 1980, primarily worked with Don Chevrier. For ABC's final Winter Olympics four years later, Eruzione was this time, paired with Jiggs McDonald.

1984

Event Play-by-play Color commentators Reporters
Bobsled Tim Brant[60] John Morgan[61]
Ski Jumping Keith Jackson[62] Jay Rand[63]
Cross Country Jack Whitaker[64] Jack Turner[65] Diana Nyad
Alpine Skiing Frank Gifford[66]
Jim Lampley (women's downhill) 		Bob Beattie[67]
Cindy Nelson[68] (women's downhill)
Luge Sam Posey[69] Jeff Tucker[70]
Figure Skating Al Michaels[71] Peggy Fleming[72] and Dick Button[73]
Ice Hockey Al Michaels[74]
Don Chevrier[75] 		Ken Dryden[76]
Mike Eruzione[77]
Speed Skating Keith Jackson[78]
Don Chevrier[79] (men's 5000) 		Eric Heiden[80]
Features Hughes Rudd[81]
Ray Gandolf
Jim Lampley[82]
Dick Schaap[83]
Anne Simon
Terre Blair
Barbara Kolonay[84]

1988

Event Play-by-play Color commentators Reporters
Opening Ceremony Jim McKay Peter Jennings
Skiing Al Trautwig Bob Beattie Jack Edwards
Biathlon Mike Adamle Keri Swensen
Bobsled Lynn Swann John Morgan
Cross Country Mike Adamle Bill Koch
Figure Skating Jim McKay Dick Button and Peggy Fleming David Santee and Jack Whitaker
Freestyle Tim McCarver Jeff Chumaz
Ice Hockey Al Michaels
Jiggs McDonald 		Ken Dryden
Mike Eruzione
Luge Sam Posey Jeff Tucker
Nordic Combined Chris Schenkel Greg Windsberger
Nordic Skiing Mike Adamle Bill Koch
Rodeo Curt Gowdy Larry Mahan
Short Track Keith Jackson Lydia Stephens
Ski Jumping Chris Schenkel Jeff Hastings
Speedskating Gary Bender Eric Heiden
Closing Ceremony Jim McKay Peter Jennings
Features Donna de Varona
Becky Dixon
Jim Hill
Tim McCarver
Jack Whitaker (essayist)
Dan Dierdorf
Cheryl Miller

Summer Olympics

1972

Event Play-by-play Color commentators
Opening Ceremony Jim McKay
Track & Field Jim McKay[85] Bill Toomey (400m races)
Marty Liquori[86][87] (150m and 800m races)
Erich Segal[88] (marathon)
Swimming Keith Jackson[89]
Diving Bill Flemming Ken Sitzberger[90] (men)
Micki King (women)
Basketball Frank Gifford[91]
Bill Flemming (filled in for Gifford while he did wrestling) 		Bill Russell[92]
Gymnastics Jim McKay Gordon Maddux[93]
Boxing Howard Cosell[94]
Wrestling Frank Gifford

In 1972, NBC showed the Winter Games from Sapporo, Japan, then ABC returned to carry the Summer Games in Munich, Germany. It was during the Summer Games that Palestinian terrorists attacked the Olympic Village and killed 11 Israeli athletes. Although Chris Schenkel was the actual host of the Games that year, Arledge assigned the story to McKay largely because he was a local news anchor in Baltimore, Maryland prior to joining CBS in 1950 and later ABC in 1961. McKay was joined on set by ABC news correspondent (and former and future evening news anchor) Peter Jennings, and coverage continued for many hours, until the outcome was known. Howard Cosell went with the film crew to get interviews in the village.

After an unsuccessful rescue attempt of the athletes held hostage, at 3:24 AM German Time, McKay came on the air with this statement:[95][96]

When I was a kid my father used to say "Our greatest hopes and our worst fears are seldom realized." Our worst fears have been realized tonight. They have now said there were 11 hostages; two were killed in their rooms this morn-- yesterday morning, nine were killed at the airport tonight. They're all gone.

— McKay, 1972

McKay later won an Emmy Award for his coverage.[97] He stated in a 2003 HBO documentary about his life and career that he was most proud of a telegram he received from Walter Cronkite the day after the massacre praising his work.

Howard Cosell also played a key role on ABC's coverage of the Palestinian terror group Black September's mass murder of Israeli athletes in Munich at the 1972 Summer Olympics; providing reports directly from the Olympic Village (his image can be seen and voice heard in Steven Spielberg's film about the terror attack).

In the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal, and the 1984 games in Los Angeles, Cosell was the main voice for boxing. Sugar Ray Leonard won the gold medal in his light welterweight class at Montreal, beginning his meteoric rise to a world professional title three years later. Cosell became close to Leonard, during this period, announcing many of his fights.[98]

Keith Jackson was also involved in ABC's coverage of the 1972 Summer Olympics and continued to contribute even when the attack by Palestinian terrorists transformed the coverage from that of a typical sporting event to a greater international and historical news event.[99] In all, he covered a total of 10 Summer and Winter Olympic Games.[100] Jackson covered swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics and track and field at the 1976 Summer Games. He covered speed-skating during the 1980 Winter Olympics featuring Eric Heiden. He was offered the position of play-by-play for hockey, but turned it down (the position ultimately went to Al Michaels). Jackson called speed skating and ski jumping at the 1984 Winter Olympics. He covered basketball in 1984. He was the weekend afternoon host for ABC's final Olympics in 1988 from Calgary.[101]

1976

Event Play-by-play Color commentators
Track & Field Keith Jackson O. J. Simpson
Bob Seagren
Brian Oldfield
Marty Liquori (men)
Wyomia Tyus (women)
Swimming Keith Jackson Mark Spitz (men)
Donna de Varona (women)
Diving Bill Flemming Ken Sitzberger (men)
Micki King (women)
Basketball Frank Gifford
Curt Gowdy 		Bill Russell
Gymnastics Chris Schenkel Gordon Maddux (men)
Cathy Rigby (women)
Boxing Howard Cosell
Wrestling Frank Gifford Ken Kraft
Equestrian Chris Schenkel
Jackie Stewart (Filled in for Schenkel when he covered Gymnastics.) 		Bill Steinkraus
Rowing Frank Gifford Fritz Hobbs
Features Pierre Salinger
Jim Lampley
Dave Diles

1984

Event Play-by-play Color commentators Reporters
Opening Ceremony Jim McKay Peter Jennings Donna de Varona
Track & Field Al Michaels O. J. Simpson (men's sprints & relays)
Wilma Rudolph (women's sprints)
Renaldo Nehemiah (hurdles)
Marty Liquori (distance)
Dwight Stones (field events)
Jane Frederick (filled in for Stones while he competed in the high jump) 		Donna de Varona
Swimming Jim Lampley Mark Spitz (men)
Donna de Varona (women) 		Diana Nyad
Synchronized Swimming Donna de Varona Esther Williams
Diving Jack Whitaker
Bill Flemming (filled in for Whitaker while he did gymnastics) 		Cynthia Potter
Basketball Keith Jackson[102] Digger Phelps (men)
Ann Meyers (women)
Volleyball Bob Beattie Kurt Kilgore
Gymnastics Jack Whitaker Gordon Maddux
Cathy Rigby-McCoy (women)
Kurt Thomas (men) 		Anne Simon
Rhythmic Gymnastics Al Trautwig Gordon Maddux
Cathy Rigby-McCoy
Boxing Howard Cosell
Water Polo Tim Brant Jim Kruse
Rowing Curt Gowdy Steve Gladstone
Canoeing Diana Nyad Jay T. Kearney
Wrestling Curt Gowdy Russ Hellickson
Cycling (Road) Al Michaels Greg LeMond
Eric Heiden
Cycling (Track) Bill Flemming Eric Heiden
Baseball (demonstration sport) Don Chevrier Jim Palmer
Tennis (demonstration sport) Arthur Ashe[103]
Equestrian Chris Schenkel Bill Steinkraus
Tad Coffin
Fencing Arthur Ashe
Al Trautwig
Soccer Mario Machado
Weightlifting Lynn Swann Bruce Wilhelm
Handball Al Trautwig
Field Hockey Al Trautwig Mike Eruzione[104]
Judo Al Trautwig
Mike Eruzione
Shooting Al Trautwig
Closing Ceremony Jim McKay Peter Jennings Donna de Varona

Notes

  1. ^ Jim McKay hosted opening and closing ceremonies only, Chris Schenkel hosted the Olympics.
  2. ^ Jim McKay hosted Monday to Friday, Keith Jackson hosted weekends.[16]

References

  1. ^ a b Gallant, Joseph. "The World Comes Together in Your Living Room: The Olympics on TV". TV Broadcasting History - Various Articles.
  2. ^ Blanton, Tom (February 10, 1976). "ABC's Fall From Olympus". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  3. ^ Eldridge, Larry (June 8, 2008). "From Our Files: A true pro at the Olympics: TV host Jim McKay". The Christian Science Monitor.
  4. ^ Williams, Jim. "McKay's death resonates across the globe". Washington Examier. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  5. ^ Fea, John (February 9, 2022). "How ABC and the "Miracle on Ice" shaped Olympic television coverage". currentpub.com. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  6. ^ Stewart, Larry (February 26, 1988). "Even More to ABC's Problems at Calgary Than Meets the Eye". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  7. ^ Hill, Michael E. (July 21, 1984). "Kathleen Sullivan / On a Roll With the Olympics". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  8. ^ Dowd, Maureen (January 13, 1994). "A star's abrupt and painful fall". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  9. ^ "Olympic Winter Games, The XIV {1984 Sarajevo Olympics} {1984/02/14}, PART 1 (TV)". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  10. ^ Anderson, Dave (February 20, 1984). "1-2 And Baby Makes 3". The New York Times. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  11. ^ Jim McKay
  12. ^ "Famed broadcaster Jim McKay dies". The Orange County Register. June 7, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  13. ^ Brennan, Christine (June 12, 2008). "McKay's Olympics thing of past". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  14. ^ Fang, Ken (January 16, 2018). "An appreciation of Keith Jackson". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  15. ^ Goldstein, Richard (January 13, 2018). "Keith Jackson, Voice of College Football, Dies at 89". The New York Times. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  16. ^ "ABC Delivers the Gold at the Winter Games". Chicago Tribune. February 14, 1988. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  17. ^ Shenher, Lorimer (31 March 2019). This One Looks Like a Boy: My Gender Journey to Life as a Man. Greystone Books. ISBN 978-1-77164-449-5.
  18. ^ Fang, Ken (August 10, 2015). "Frank Gifford, 1930-2015". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  19. ^ Stewart, Larry (September 14, 1988). "Olympics '88: A Preview: NBC Hoping to Tell Story, Not Become It, With Its TV Coverage". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  20. ^ "Chris Schenkel On-Air Talent Year Inducted". Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  21. ^ "You Can't Keep Him Down on the Farm". Sports Illustrated. July 18, 1984. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  22. ^ "As Kathleen Sullivan covers O. J. Simpson, anything qualifies as entertainment". The Baltimore Sun. March 19, 1995. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  23. ^ Deitsch, Richard (February 14, 2014). "NBC's Vieira to become first woman to host primetime Olympics solo". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  24. ^ Skiing Heritage Journal Sep 2008. International Skiing History Association. September 2008. p. 40.
  25. ^ "1964 Olympic Slalom: Stiegler, Kidd, Heuga". International Skiing History Association. Commentary by ABC's Jim McKay and Andrea Mead Lawrence
  26. ^ "Rv Key... Prevewers Recommend These Programs Tonight. - Page 5". Meriden Journal. February 7, 1964. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  27. ^ "Olympic Coverage Begins Monday. - Page 4". The Bryan Times. February 4, 1964. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  28. ^ Lawrence, Kelli (10 January 2014). Skating on Air: The Broadcast History of an Olympic Marquee Sport. McFarland. p. 205. ISBN 978-0-7864-8544-4.
  29. ^ "Albuquerque Journal Newspaper Archives, Feb 6, 1964, p. ..." NewspaperArchive. February 6, 1964. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  30. ^ "Southwest Times, Volume 65, Number 8, 6 February 1968". Southwest Times. February 6, 1968. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  31. ^ Beach, Laura (March 28, 2017). "Dick Button: The Olympic Champion On The Art Of Skating". Antiques and The Arts Weekly. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  32. ^ "People in Sports". The New York Times. January 1, 1976. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  33. ^ "...Of Winter Olympics. - Page 39". The Press-Courier. February 4, 1968. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  34. ^ Blanton, Tom (February 10, 1976). "ABC's Fall From Olympus". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  35. ^ Sandomir, Richard (April 3, 2018). "Bob Beattie, 85, Olympic Ski Coach and ABC Sports Analyst, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  36. ^ "80-Mph Race On... - Page 6". Waycross Journal-Herald. February 5, 1976. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  37. ^ O'Connor, John J. (February 12, 1976). "TV: Olympics as Entertainment and Selling Game". The New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  38. ^ Leggett, William (February 23, 1976). "He Was Right on the Button". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  39. ^ Valerino, John (February 12, 1976). "ABC Deserves. - Page 13". Lakeland Ledger. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  40. ^ "Ludington Daily News - Page 8". Ludington Daily News. February 17, 1976. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  41. ^ "St. Petersburg Times - Page 43". St. Petersburg Times. February 18, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  42. ^ Rothman, Seymour (May 29, 1976). "Olympic Games Attracting... - Page 1". Toledo Blade.
  43. ^ Farley, William (January 30, 1976). "An ABC-TV Exclusive The Winter Olympics, Feb. 4-15 William ..." St. Joseph News-Press. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  44. ^ "Monday Night In The Old Ball Park! - Page 15". The Robesonian. April 11, 1976. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  45. ^ Holosopple, Barbara (February 4, 1976). "4rd Olympic Coverage Begins Tonight. Up Close And Personal ..." The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  46. ^ Balta, Victor (February 8, 2006). "TV is warming up for Winter Olympics". Everett Herald. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  47. ^ "Salinger Cites Contacts In Abc Role. - Page 11". The Victoria Advocate. October 29, 1979. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  48. ^ "Salinger Signed By ABC News. - Page 9". Youngstown Vindicator. January 2, 1978. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  49. ^ Morrill, Greg (February 28, 2013). "America's top alpine ski racing promoter". The Stowe Reporter. Stowe, Vermont. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  50. ^ The Washington Post (February 13, 1988). "ABC has new technology for Winter Olympics". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. TV Week section, p. 3. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  51. ^ "Games of the XXIII Olympiad, The {1984 Los Angeles Olympics} {1984/08/02}, Part 1: Boxing (Men), Volleyball (Women) (TV)". Paley Center for Media. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  52. ^ Nidetz, Steve (December 8, 1989). "The Soviets Help Fuel A Most Chilling Adventure". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  53. ^ "Bob Beattie, the patriarch of American skiing, dies at 85". The Denver Post. April 2, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  54. ^ The Palm Beach Post - Feb 8, 1980
  55. ^ Boca Raton News - Feb 8, 1980
  56. ^ "Olympic final most-watched hockey game in 30 years". nhl.com. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  57. ^ Hirdt, Steve (July 23, 2021). "Yes, Al, We Do Believe In Miracles". The Analyst.
  58. ^ [1][dead link]
  59. ^ Syken, Bill (November 15, 2004), "He Missed the Call!", Sports Illustrated, vol. 101, no. 19, archived from the original on October 25, 2012
  60. ^ Alfano, Peter (February 14, 1984). "TV SPORTS; UNEVEN WEEK OF COVERAGE AT SARAJEVO". The New York Times. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  61. ^ Fang, Ken (January 7, 2014). "Your 2014 Winter Olympics announcing assignments". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  62. ^ Fang, Ken (January 16, 2018). "An appreciation of Keith Jackson". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  63. ^ Flynn, Andy (March 3, 2022). "OLYMPIC LEGACY: Wild weather blues". Lake Placid News. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  64. ^ "OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES, THE XIV {1984 SARAJEVO OLYMPICS} {1984/02/18}, PART 4 (TV)". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  65. ^ "Unique Experience - Elect Jack Turner". electjackturner. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  66. ^ Alfano, Peter (February 21, 1984). "TV SPORTS; FLAG-WAVING AT OLYMPICS". The New York Times. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  67. ^ "Bob Beattie (2014) - CU Athletic Hall of Fame". University of Colorado Athletics. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  68. ^ Goldberg, Dave (February 12, 1984). "Olympic Tv Coverage Hasn't Held Public's Interest. Its ... - Page 104". Gadsden Times.
  69. ^ "OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES, THE XIV {1984 SARAJEVO OLYMPICS} {1984/02/13}, PART 2 (TV)". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  70. ^ Carrns, Ann (August 5, 1996). "Former lugers race in real estate". Atlanta Business Journal.
  71. ^ "Al Michaels". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  72. ^ Martzke, Rudy (February 4, 1984). "1984 Winter Olympics rights fees". St. Cloud Times. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  73. ^ "ABC: TOO MANY HOURS, NOT ENOUGH MOMENTS". Sports Illustrated. February 27, 1984. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  74. ^ Rosenberg, Howard (February 14, 1984). "Olympic Commentator Dick Button Is Lone Romantic Of Sports ..." St. Joseph News-Press. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  75. ^ "The Albany Herald - Page 9". The Albany Herald. February 4, 1984. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  76. ^ "The Financial Post - Page 24". The Financial Post. December 29, 1984. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  77. ^ "Mike Eruzione, Gold Medalist & "Miracle on Ice" Legend, to be Keynote Speaker at Manufacturers' Association's 117th Annual Event". Lancaster Chamber. February 22, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  78. ^ Kornheiser, Tony (February 10, 1984). "ABC's Game, but Show Is Gamey". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  79. ^ "Abc To Begin Record Coverage Of Winter Olympics. - Page 25". Eugene Register-Guard. February 4, 1984. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  80. ^ Schwartz, Larry. "Eric Heiden was a reluctant hero". ESPN. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  81. ^ Goldberg, Dave (February 8, 1984). "Lavish Abc Production Begins Search For New Olympic Heroes ..." Kentucky New Era. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  82. ^ "OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES, THE XIV {1984 SARAJEVO OLYMPICS} {1984/02/11}, PART 5 (TV)". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  83. ^ "OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES, THE XIV {1984 SARAJEVO OLYMPICS} {1984/02/13}, PART 4 (TV)". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  84. ^ Yake, D. Byron (February 1, 1984). "Sports Psychologist Working To Improve Athletes' Performances ". Gettysburg Times. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  85. ^ Schaeffler, Jimmy (July 1, 2022). "Jim McKay's Sixth Olympics: Munich 1972". MultichannelNews. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  86. ^ "Legendary Miler and Broadcaster Marty Liquori wins 2023 H.D. Thoreau Track & Field Broadcasting Award". November 8, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  87. ^ Scheiber, Dave (June 27, 2000). "A Runner's Rhythm". Tampy Bay Times. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  88. ^ "50 years after winning the Olympic Marathon, Frank Shorter reflects on the games marked by tragedy". WVTF. September 9, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  89. ^ "Person of the Week: Keith Jackson". ABC News. April 28, 2006. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  90. ^ "On The Bench. - Page 7". Lawrence Journal-World. September 5, 1972.
  91. ^ Frommer, Fredderic J. (October 19, 2022). "50 years later, the chaotic end of a U.S.-USSR basketball game still stings". The Washingon Post.
  92. ^ Halberstam, David J. (August 2, 2022). "Bill Russell was also an analyst; Play-by-play voices must know the difference between radio and TV". Sports Broadcast Journal. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  93. ^ Sandomir, Richard (August 22, 2004). "Die Was Cast For Broadcasters At the '72 Games". The New York Times. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  94. ^ "USA boxer Tim Dement recalls the 1972 Olympic Games Saturday at La. Sports Hall of Fame". Sabine Parish Journal. May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  95. ^ Kelly, Christopher (7 January 2006). "Modern Munich lives with its contradictions". Statesman.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011.
  96. ^ Abramson, Alan (5 September 2002). "Black September". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on 23 October 2005.
  97. ^ The Tragedy of the Munich Games (DVD). ABC Sports. 2002.
  98. ^ "I Never Played The Game", by Howard Cosell, 1985
  99. ^ NSSA Hall Of Fame: 1986-1995 Inductees Archived August 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, Accessed August 20, 2007.
  100. ^ Andrew Krebs, Wide world of Jackson Archived December 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, The Daily Collegian, November 8, 1997.
  101. ^ "Video". CNN. February 9, 1987. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  102. ^ He was relegated to near obscurity at the '84 Olympics in Los Angeles, covering only the snippets of basketball that ABC presented.
  103. ^ "Games of the XXIII Olympiad, The {1984 Los Angeles Olympics} {1984/08/07}, Part 4: Tennis (Men) (TV)". The Paley Center for Media.
  104. ^ "Games of the XXIII Olympiad, The {1984 Los Angeles Olympics} {1984/08/06}, Part 1: Fencing (Men), Weightlifting (Men) (TV)". The Paley Center of Media.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Olympics_on_ABC_commentators&oldid=1226044064"