PHOTO: Bildbyrån
The Olympics are returning to SVT again.
A happy message that makes longtime commentator Jacob Hård very moved.
– I would not have dared to believe that it would happen. It’s great fun, he tells SVT Sport.
SVT has not owned the rights to show the Summer Olympics or the Winter Olympics since 2012. But on Monday came the great news that the Olympics are returning to SVT again starting with the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Hard joy
One of the happiest about that news is the legendary commentator Jacob Hard, who worked for SVT for four decades and covered most of the sports. The popular television profile has missed working with the Olympics and was touched by the news.
– I was surprised and incredibly happy. I had not dared to believe that it would happen. I think it’s great fun, he says to SVT Sport.
– I am happy with those who want to watch the Olympics, but who have not done so when it was broadcast on SVT.
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Hård thinks it is important that the Olympics are broadcast on SVT and that as many Swedes as possible should be able to take part in the Olympics broadcasts. For the past 10 years, the Olympics have been shown on first Viasat’s channels and then Discovery’s respectively – and they get a peck from the TV veteran.
– I want to start by saying that not only SVT can make the Olympics good for a Swedish television audience. But I still think that an event like the Olympics belongs on Swedish Television. I think it feels like the Olympics are coming home, says the 68-year-old in the interview.
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“Like a Nobel Prize”
The SVT colleagues Bjorn Ferryexpert in biathlon, and Håkan Loobhockey expert, are also very happy about the news that came from the TV channel today.
– It is big. A great news. It has to be said. For everyone in televised sports, the viewers and the active. I think it’s something that almost everyone thinks is good news. For me, it is the greatest thing I have experienced in my life. An Olympic gold is like a Nobel Prize. If I meet a Bedouin in the desert and say I’ve won an Olympic gold, he would understand that it’s big, says Ferry in a statement.
– I am incredibly happy for the Swedish people, but also for all athletes. After all, they see the Olympics as the biggest thing there is. Being able to watch it on SVT will be absolutely fantastic. There will be almost 16 days of euphoria when the medals are handed out, and we get to share it on SVT, says the icon Loob.
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The last time SVT broadcast the Olympics was in London in 2012. Now the television channel has secured the rights for the next four championships with the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the 2030 Winter Olympics (not yet decided on the host nation) and 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane.
What do you think of the Olympics being shown on SVT again? Share the article and have your say!
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