SuperSport promise ‘so much more’ Olympics

By Fred Kaweesi

IN trying to justify their ‘so much more’ mantra, Supersport has pledged a comprehensive coverage of the prestigious Olympics games that start next month.

Digital Satellite Television (DStv) public relations officer Helena Mayanja yesterday stressed that Supersport were determined to satisfy their clientele in terms of quality and quantity by providing a thorough package on four channels.

“SuperSport 6 will be our 24-hour Olympic channel on which viewers will be able to catch live action of all the popular gold medal events. SuperSport 5 and SuperSport 7 and 10 will also feature live action especially when there is a clash of event times. Channel 198, the usual events channel will serve as an overflow channel,” Mayanja stated.

Celebrated sport anchors and analysts such as Crystal Arnold, Ponga Liwewe and Gerald de Kock will present balanced analysts of events in Beijing, with Robert Marawa and Leigh-Ann Paulick based in at Randburg studios.

Mayanja added that there will be plenty of exciting programming as part of SuperSport’s build-up to the Games.

“Olympic enthusiasts should look out for “Going For Gold”, “Africa To Beijing”, “Great Women Of The Olympics”, Golden Moments Of The Olympics”, “Beijing Are You Ready?”, The Olympic Spirit”, “Opening The Gates To The East” and “Olympic Century.”

Meanwhile, Athletes from Iraq have been banned from taking part at this summer’s Beijing Games, the International Olympic Committee has announced.

The team was already the subject of an interim ban after the Iraqi government replaced the country's Olympic committee with its own appointees.

Under the IOC charter, all committees must be free of political influence.

As a result the team of two rowers, two sprinters, one archer, one weightlifter and one judo competitor cannot attend.

“We sent a letter to the Iraqi government today saying that as the situation stands it is unlikely to have Iraqi athletes.”