Pat Welsh’s Top 5 Olympic Games moments

Veteran broadcaster Pat Welsh has covered many an Olympics Games across his glittering career.

Below are his Top 5 moments and memories.

5 - Womens 7s Gold in Rio – 2016

• I was asked to report on the 7s because Channel 7 staff had no Rugby experience.
• Rio had built a brand new freeway out to the 7s venue but it wasn’t open to the public so media were on the bus with their own personal freeway.
• I had a tear in my eye watching those athletes make history.
• Got to interview Matthew McConaughey – The only interview my wife watched.
• Being in that situation is all about asking the right questions and the right questions come from being prepared.
• It was the precursor to the explosion in Women's sport.

4 - Usain Bolt wins historic third 100m Gold Medal

• Rio Games were absolutely incredible, first time ever and they wanted to put on a big show.
• Bolt brought back the lustre to Track and Field.
• Get yourself a ticket to the Men's 100m final in 2032 if you have the means.
• We were all so hyped for this moment in history.
• Rio did leave one bad taste in my mouth. When we got to the venue, we couldn’t find any food, so we decided to go these street vendors outside the venue.
• Was informed by his translator that the kebab may have been served with cat.

3 - Race of the Century in Athens - Thorpe vs Phelps vs van den Hoogenband vs Hackett in the Men's 200m Freestyle

• Michael Phelps vs Ian Thorpe vs Grant Hackett vs Pieter van den Hoogenband Billed as race of the century.
• I interviewed Ian Thorpe after his victory and Thorpe told me off air how exhausted he was.
• Story about Greek authorities that shutting down venues that ripped off tourists (Something Australia should be doing).

2 - Sally Pearson Silver Medal at Beijing 2008

• I was certain she had lunged and snatched second. I was 10m away from the finish line.
• Sally was looking at me wondering if she had got second I was trying not to get her hopes up.

1 - Cathy Freeman wins 400m Gold at Sydney 2000

• I snuck into the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony and sat alongside Greg Norman in the NBC private suit.
• Cathy Freeman was the face of these Games. After her first heat she looked down the media row and there were at least 50 outlets wanting to interview her.
• Her people decided that she wouldn’t do any interviews until after the Final of the 400m. This caused a massive kerfuffle with the AOC and Channel 7 as she was the face of the Games.
• I was at the finishing post just 15m from Cathy’s lane.
• The noise in that stadium... it was unlike anything I've ever heard or will hear again.
• I'd known Cathy since she was a kid in Mackay. I just wanted to celebrate with her.

Listen to all the moments here: