FORGET the weather, RTE have lined up a veritable feast of sport over the summer months with, not surprisingly, the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta from July 19th to August 4th the focal point of its transmissions. But other sports will be well catered for with Network 2 hosting most of the major events and indeed it could almost be called the "sports station" for the next few months.
With hopes high for a medal haul, RTE will have its largest ever crew in the States to catch the emotion and drama of the occasion and they will be experimenting with wide screen television for greater effect. Niall Cogley will be executive producer of the entire Olympic coverage. Cogley will be directing operations from Dublin with 16 hours transmission every day scheduled for the duration of the games.
The first Olympic transmissions will begin at 7.30 a.m. leach day to catch those who still have to earn their living and who may not have stayed up all night to catch the action. This programme is likely to be hosted by Michael Lyster and Tracy Piggott and will mainly consist of short reprises of the action from the previous night. The action, particularly if Irish competitors are involved, will possibly be repeated during the 90 minute mid morning slot to catch the later risers.
The early afternoon action is expected to begin around two o'clock and to go on until tea time but this timing is flexible depending on the action in Atlanta with the acerbic wit of Tom McGurk likely to keep the punters entertained.
There will then be a break to give the country's "soap" addicts their usual fix of Home and Away.
The flagship show will probably be hosted, as ever, by Bill O'Herlihy with expert contributions likely from such as Mick Dowling on boxing and John Treacy and Eamonn Coghlan on athletics. Transmission will continue until events come to a halt.
The widescreen experimentation will be mainly used to show team sports such as hockey, volleyball and basketball. Another plus point for widescreen is that all eight lanes of a track can be spanned much more easily than at present.
In the US, Maurice Reidy will direct the station's largest ever Olympic operation with television sending 34 personnel and radio nine. All this fades into insignificance compared to the BBC set up with Radio 5 sending 85 and BBC Television boasting over 250 staff Ion the spot.
Regular link ups with America will be a feature of programmes' with John D O'Brien and Caroline Murphy backing up the various event commentators in sending back features and interviews with the Irish competitors.
A certain event in England will also be given wide coverage with over 22 live games due for transmission during soccer's European Championship. O'Herlihy will again act as presenter in the studio with Jim Beglin, Joe Kinnear, Paddy Crerand, Andy Townsend and Mick McCarthy providing studio analysis.
Events from England will be commentated upon by George Hamilton - who also travels to Atlanta - Ger Canning and Stephen Alkin, with John Giles, Ray Treacy and Kevin Moran alongside.
The national games will not be neglected either with The Sunday Game the flagship of four programmes each week. Gaelic Stadium which is a comprehensive look forward to events will retain its slot on Saturday's Sports Stadium. Sunday afternoon will see live action with Michael Lyster hosting a studio panel likely to include Colm O'Rourke, Pat Spillane, Tony Davis, Cyril Farrell, Tomas Mulcahy and Martin McHugh among others. The Sunday Game will have a 9.30 p.m. slot.
Hackers will be given their usual doses of golf with the Murphys Irish Open in July as well as the European Open and British and US Opens also on the schedule. Tennis will come from Roland Garros in Paris and Wimbledon also. Those who follow the horses will also be catered for with the Budweiser Derby at the Curragh the high point.
The Formula One Grand Prix circus travels will continue with Peter Collins and David Kennedy maintaining their globe trotting exploits as well as providing the commentary.
