Michelle Pickles Leads 3 News Commonwealth Games Coverage   9 Jul 2014

Michelle Pickles Leads 3 News Commonwealth Games Coverage

3 News is gearing up to provide comprehensive coverage of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games across its portfolio of news and current affairs programmes.

Reporter Michelle Pickles will lead a seven-strong team based in Glasgow, supported by an around-the-clock operation in the Auckland newsroom, providing Kiwis the most up-to-date information.

Director of News and Current Affairs Mark Jennings says TV3’s team has the experience and passion to provide unmatched news coverage of the Commonwealth Games.

“Michelle Pickles has unrivalled experience at covering major sporting events, including the Beijing and London Olympics, the World rowing championships and the last Commonwealth Games in India. Michelle’s contacts in the sports teams competing at this year’s games will mean viewers get to know what is going on not just on the track, field or water but behind the scenes as well.”

Firstline will be essential viewing. New Zealanders will wake up to the results and reaction as each day of the Games wraps up, with Sacha McNeil and Michael Wilson joined each morning by 3 News’ European Correspondent Melissa Davies reporting LIVE from Glasgow.

At 6pm, Michelle Pickles will be LIVE from key Commonwealth Games sites during the bulletin, recapping the previous day’s events and looking ahead to the new day of competition.

Pickles is one of New Zealand’s most experienced sports journalists and will be active on the ground filing stories for Firstline, 3 News @ 12, 3 News at 6pm and Campbell Live.

Alongside Jeff Hampton, David Di Somma and Melissa Davies, she will follow our athletes through their final preparations, catching up with them once they’ve performed, and sharing the stories of their fans and families.

A dedicated section of 3News.co.nz and the 3 News iPhone and iPad apps will be continuously updated with the latest news.

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Quotes from Michelle Pickles follow.

MICHELLE PICKLES:

What are you most looking forward to about the Commonwealth Games?

Being part of the 3 News team, and bringing our viewers all the news. We’ll be live every day from Glasgow, with the latest news and interviews with NZ medal winners. Games coverage is always a very busy, but extremely enjoyable part of my job.

What makes these Games special/distinctive/memorable?

This is the first time Glasgow will host a Commonwealth Games. Given Edinburgh has hosted twice before, I’d imagine Glasgow and its people will go out of their way to make these games great. I think it will be a fantastic atmosphere.

What are your picks as NZ's best medal chances?

Look for Valerie Adams to win her third Commonwealth Games gold. The NZ Sevens team have won every gold on offer since the sport debuted in 1998 – they’ll want to continue that trend. NZ cyclists will be strong medal contenders, and Lauren Boyle in the pool will be a strong medal prospect after her three World Championship bronze medals last year. Para swimmer Sophie Pascoe’s a good bet for gold at her first Commonwealth Games. Non-Olympic sports like lawn bowls and squash are always good medal prospects, along with the Silver Ferns who’ll be chasing their third gold in a row. NZ won 36 medals in Delhi – it would be great if that could be matched, if not bettered.

What will make the 3 News coverage special?

The people. We are a very tight knit team and we enjoy what we do. We work hard, but we also have fun. And that makes all the difference.

What is your favourite Commonwealth Games memory?

In 2006 in Melbourne, we got to go to the MCG and watch Asafa Powell win the 100 metres. Magic. And in Delhi four years ago, we got to watch Valerie Adams win her second CWG gold. It’s always great to see the NZ flag fly on the international stage.

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