Paralympian #166 Dame Sophie Pascoe experienced a very different Paralympics presenting the live TVNZ coverage of Paris 2024 alongside co-host Scotty Stevenson. We chat to the 19-time Paralympic medallist about her memories in the TVNZ studio and her highlights of Paris 2024.
How did the opportunity to present for TVNZ as part of their live coverage at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games come about?
Dame Sophie Pascoe: I was pregnant and I planned to compete in Paris however the circumstances didn’t allow me to. My son was born in February via C section and would have been a big ask of myself, my body and my family to go. Becoming a new mother I also wanted to be there for him in those early months. I offered my experience as a Paralympic athlete , but I never expected to be given the opportunity for an anchor role alongside Scotty Stevenson. It was an amazing chance to help use my position to support and enhance the Paralympic Movement and get the recognition we as Paralympians deserve. I absolutely loved it.
Pre-Games how did you develop your presenting skills?
DSP: Other than the one being asked the questions on the other side of the camera I had no experience of being a TV presenter or working with an autocue. After saying yes to the role, I was very lucky to be given some training sessions with experienced TV broadcasting duo – Wendy Petrie and Scotty. I couldn’t have asked for better people to guide me through. Wendy is an incredible woman and presenter and to also get the chance to work with Scotty before going live was a bonus too. A key piece of advice both gave me was to be natural and be myself. Both also said that it is fine not to be perfect. We are human. I made my first mistake and went home that night and was very hard on myself – but Scotty texted to say “Today may have felt a little shambolic for you but it certainly didn’t come across that way, I thought you were brilliant, relaxed and perfect.”
What was it like to work with such an experienced broadcaster as Scotty Stevenson?
DSP: He is amazing. He’s had years of experience in the industry, and he is a massive advocate for females in sport as well as the Paralympics and Paralympians. He was the perfect fit. Sometimes he doesn’t always follow the autocue as he is able to elaborate on from what the autocue is saying so, I had to be prepared with him to know when to pick up when he is finished. He also has a photographic memory and he is able to instantly recall what has happened the day before or what is coming up and knows what the athletes have already achieved.
Was the nerves you experienced in your broadcast role with TVNZ comparable to that when competing at a Paralympic Games?
DSP: Absolutely. It is live TV; you don’t want to make a mistake and because you are on TV, everyone has an opinion of you. I carried those nerves on the first day but it eased over time. That rush of going live when you hear the countdown in your ear – is a similar feeling when you are on the blocks in the starting position. I love that feeling, I had a bit of FOMO not being present at the Games, but I still feel like I had a place within the team. While working as a presenter does not have the same physical demands of competing, mentally it can be draining. We would start at 4pm and sometimes wouldn’t finish before 11pm, it was challenging to switch off. I felt shattered at the end of each day.
You received positive feedback on how you performed in the new role. Were you happy with your debut broadcasting appearance?
DSP: I did receive some nice feedback, and it was nice to be able to contribute for the team. It was also nice to be able to share my experiences as a Paralympian and I hope I could convey what the athletes were going through to the viewers. On TV I got emotional a couple of times due to the New Zealand athletes interviews with their honesty and vulnerability that they showed and which I could relate too, and I hope the viewers got a sense that just because we are presenting that we too are real people with emotions and not robots.
Did you have a personal Paralympic Games highlight?
DSP: There are many highlights. Anna Grimaldi’s gold medal (in the Women’s 200m T47) was amazing in terms of how she bounced back from the long jump. The way she handled herself showed she is a real leader of the team but every single athlete from New Zealand gave their best and should be proud. I felt what they all went through from personal experience, I just wish I could give them a hug afterwards.
Another highlight was being able to feel that emotion for the competing New Zealand athletes at Paris 2024. In terms of the role another highlight was the laughs I enjoyed with Scotty. He also made it so much fun. He is a funny, kind and generous guy.
Do you have any future broadcasting aspirations?
DSP: I haven’t been asked yet, but I wouldn’t say no, I loved my time presenting the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and enjoyed being in a position to learn a lot more, for sure. I love the fact I can keep learning and growing, that excites me. I hope there is a future in broadcasting in some way.
