REBECCA ADLINGTON

The British swimmer won gold medals in 400m and 800m Freestyle in Beijing in 2008 and will be providing expert analysis from the Aquatics Centre in Paris.

What’s your first memory of the Olympic Games?

Athens 2004. I was in Greece on holiday as a 15-year-old and was glued to the TV. I remember British swimmers Steve Parry and David Davies winning bronze and the Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe winning two golds.

Best memory of your first Olympics as a competitor?

Leaving Beijing as a double champion and achieving a world record in the 800m.

Which past Olympic moment would you love to have witnessed?

I don’t have to wish, I was actually there to see it. American swimmer Michael Phelps winning eight gold medals in Beijing.

What made you shed most tears at an Olympics?

At London 2012, Cyclist Chris Hoy winning gold and Gemma Gibbons winning silver in the judo.

Your most challenging moment at an Olympics?

My 800m freestyle at London 2012. I simply had nothing to give and I was running on empty. It was so painful but I didn’t give up and managed a bronze.

Your funniest Olympic moment?

Mark Foster sticking a picture of my face to his chest beneath his shirt at the Rio Olympics. I found that hilarious!

MATT BAKER

The former Countryfile and The One Show presenter was a junior British champion gymnast and will be commentating on gymnastics.

First Olympic memory?

Watching Carl Lewis win the 100m, the long jump and the relay in 1984 when I would have been six. I watched with the whole family and I remember being blown away by how effortlessly he could run and jump. Also at that games Chinese gymnast Li Ning won three golds and inspired me to take up the sport.

Your first as a broadcaster?

The reality of going was even better than the dream. It was like arriving on a sporting planet. It has an energy like nothing else. I fulfilled my Olympic bucket list by watching Usain Bolt taking gold at three consecutive Olympics.

Best historic Olympic moment?

I would have loved to have seen gymnast Olga Korbut competing in 1972. She pushed the boundaries and had personality and character.

Any rituals or superstitions?

Me and my fellow gymnastics commentators always lay out snacks as the competitions are long, and we always have a cup of tea from a flask we’ve brought with us halfway through.

What moments at the games have brought you to tears?

I often feel quite emotional commentating alongside Christine Still, the coach of British gymnast Alice Kinsella. I know how much she puts into Alice’s training, so when Alice is competing Christine is quite emotional and I get caught up in that.

Who are you most excited about seeing compete in Paris?

American gymnast Simone Biles is an inspiration in so many ways. She’s the ultimate athlete to have competed at the Olympics.

What’s your funniest Olympic moment?

At the Rio Olympics we went up Sugarloaf Mountain on our day off. Randomly we bumped into Buzz Aldrin, the American astronaut, at the top! He’d been on The One Show a few weeks before and remembered me, so I introduced him to the rest of the gymnastics commentary team at the top of the mountain.

STEVE CRAM

A 1500m silver medallist at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Steve is part of the BBC’s athletics commentary team.

First Olympic memory?

Watching the Mexico Olympics in 1968, when I’d have just turned eight, with my mum and dad. The same country hosted the World Cup two years later and I remember thinking, ‘Wow, this must be the most exotic place in the world.’

What about your first Olympics as an athlete?

Moscow in 1980, when I was 19. It was fraught with uncertainty because not only was I not sure I’d make the team, but it looked like Britain might boycott the event [because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan] before deciding to go.

What’s your top Olympic moment from history?

Berlin 1936. The games were supposed to be a propaganda tool for Adolf Hitler and then this black American athlete, Jesse Owens, wins four gold medals in track and field – everything the Nazis didn’t want to happen.

Any rituals or superstitions?

No superstitions but I do have a brown leather shoulder bag with my wallet, passport, laptop, chargers, highlighters, pen and binoculars. I’m now on my third one…

Who are you most excited to see?

In the women’s 800m, watch out for 17-year-old British runner Phoebe Gill. She probably won’t win a medal this time but people will say, ‘I remember when I first saw her at Paris.’

Funniest Olympic moment?

At Seoul in 1988, Daley Thompson and I were very hungry and were on our way to get food when we noticed an entourage with Princess Anne. We knew we’d have to engage with them and we’d be late for our meal. So we hid in a doorway but as the entourage went past, Princess Anne looked around, spotted us and said, ‘Hello, boys.’ She was the one person who’d seen us…

CLARE BALDING

The Wimbledon and Crufts presenter shares prime-time hosting duties with Gabby Logan.

What’s your favourite Olympic memory?

London 2012 was utterly joyful. I loved every second of it, but particularly when Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins won gold in the rowing double sculls on Super Saturday.

What most excites you about the games?

The crowds will be back after Covid, the venues will be beautiful, and it’s in a friendly time zone!

Who do you think will win medals?

I’m particularly looking forward to seeing how Matt Richards, Tom Dean and Duncan Scott can do in the swimming events. Cyclist Emma Finucane is one to watch and Tom Pidcock, who defends his mountain bike title.

GABBY LOGAN

The former international gymnast will be central to the BBC evening coverage.

First Olympic memory?

I was actually in the stadium in Barcelona in 1992 as a teenager when Sally Gunnell won gold in the 400m hurdles and that was really special for me.

Any rituals or superstitions?

I scribble down notes constantly – before and during programmes. And it’s definitely scribbling! My writing is so bad I can’t actually read what I’ve written but once I’ve written it down the information will be in my head.

How do you cope with nerves while broadcasting?

I like to feel in control so preparation is key. I’m fortunate to have a genuine interest in athletics so researching the runners is something I enjoy.

Who are you most excited to see and which British athlete is most likely to inspire a new generation?

The athletics, the gymnastics – and the breakdancing! It’s an Olympic sport for the first time and Britain has a real star in Karam Singh. I reckon we’ll all know the moves by the end of the summer!

BETH TWEDDLE

The gymnast won bronze at London 2012 and is one of the stellar line-up of studio guests.

What’s your first Olympic memory?

Atlanta 1996 when I saw Ukrainian double gold medallist Lilia Podkopayeva, my all-time favourite gymnast. She was inspirational to me, graceful, powerful and elegant.

First memory as a competitor?

When I was chosen for the 2004 Olympics I was texting everyone. I’ve kept all my kit from that and from the next two Olympics.

Any rituals or superstitions before broadcasting?

I always dig up fun facts about the competitors and incorporate those into my notes. My favourite is that Brody Malone, an American artistic gymnast, also rides rodeo.

What Olympic moments have brought you to tears?

I don’t cry a lot during sport. I didn’t cry when I won my medal in 2012 although there were a few tears when I finished fourth four years earlier.

Who is most likely to inspire a new generation of athletes?

One to watch out for is Chelsie Giles in the judo. She’ll be looking to go one better – maybe two better – than the bronze she picked up in Tokyo.

What’s been your most challenging Olympic moment?

Collecting my medal at London 2012 in a heavily creased tracksuit. I’d screwed it up tightly and put it at the bottom of my bag and tried to forget it was there.

Funniest Olympic moment?

At London 2012 the gymnastics team had accommodation overlooking the main stadium so we saw ‘the Queen’ supposedly parachute down from a helicopter during the opening ceremony. One of our team – who shall remain nameless – was absolutely certain it really was the Queen. That kept us laughing for a long time.

JEANETTE KWAKYE

The former 100m runner will be presenting from Paris every morning.

First Olympic memory?

Watching Barcelona 1992 when I was nine with my dad. I was blown away by some of the US women such as Gail Devers. I remember thinking, ‘How do they look so good and run so fast?’ That’s when I fell in love with athletics.

What’s your favourite Olympic memory as an athlete?

Making the final in Beijing [as the first British woman to reach the 100m final since Heather Oakes in 1984].

What do you remember about your first Olympic experience?

Getting my kit ahead of the 2008 Olympics and being overwhelmed by how much there was!

What most excites you about Paris 2024?

BMX is one of my favourites. I’ve fallen in love with that particular sport over the years.

Which past Olympic moment would you love to have seen?

The disqualification [for using drugs] of Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson in 1988 after he’d won the 100m in Seoul. I’d have wanted to have been in the melee, amid the drama and madness that surrounded that story.

What moments have brought you to tears?

British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith was supposed to have an amazing games in Tokyo but didn’t because of injury. When she had to pull out of the 200m she started crying on camera and I started crying too.

JJ CHALMERS

The former Royal Marine and gold medal-winning cyclist at the 2014 Invictus Games will co-host BBC1’s morning show.

Favourite Olympic memory?

Definitely the 1992 games in Barcelona. I remember Chris Boardman winning the men’s individual pursuit in the cycling, Sally Gunnell winning the 400m hurdles and the excitement of the 4x400m relays, where the GB men’s and women’s teams both won bronze.

Your first as a broadcaster?

I had to wait until 2021 to see my dreams come true and present at the Tokyo games because of the pandemic. But at least I got to take part in Strictly so that filled the time!

What past Olympic moment would you like to have seen?

I’d love to have seen Andy Murray win gold at London 2012. The fact he won back-to-back Olympic golds sets him apart in my eyes.

What Olympic moments have brought you to tears?

I cried when Nick Skelton won the individual gold in the showjumping in 2016. It was one of those amazing stories the Olympics produces: a long career trying for something and never quite achieving it but never quitting, then enjoying this incredible success.

Your most challenging moment as a presenter?

Interviewing people who have lost!

Who do you think will win medals?

Skateboarder Sky Brown won bronze in Tokyo at 13. She’s now 16 and has the skill and temperament to bring home the gold.

LAURA KENNY

The five-time cycling gold medallist is Britain’s most decorated female Olympian.

What’s your favourite Olympic memory?

Winning my first golds in London and coming back after having my son Albie to win gold again in Tokyo, those memories are both incredibly special. But if I’m being really honest, a defining memory for me will always be the London 2012 atmosphere. 

Everyone knew it was going to be special but I didn’t quite realise just how crazy the atmosphere was going to be. I’ll never forget the first time my name was announced – that crowd noise will stay with me for the rest of my life.

What most excites you about these games?

There’s no need to worry about time difference, no need to set alarms in the middle of the night to tune into your favourite events.

Who do you think will win medals?

Definitely watch out for Emma Finucane in the cycling. She’s had a brilliant run into the games, so there’ll be a lot of buzz around her and she has a real opportunity to win three golds. And keep an eye on trampoliner Bryony Page. She has a silver from Rio 2016 and a bronze from Tokyo in 2021, so it would be so great to see her complete the set.

HAZEL IRVINE

Best known for hosting the World Snooker Championships for the BBC, she’s part of the Paris presenting team.

First Olympic memory?

The Munich Games of 1972, when Mark Spitz won seven golds in the pool, Olga Korbut’s charisma won hearts in gymnastics and the wonderful Mary Peters took pentathlon gold for Great Britain.

What most excites you about the 2024 games?

Having the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées as backdrops is so exciting. And the opening ceremony on the Seine will be breathtaking.

Who do you think will win medals?

A medal in women’s diving is long overdue, so step forward 19-year-old Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix alongside her synchronised partner Lois Toulson, the springboard synchro team of Scarlett Mew Jensen and Yasmin Harper, plus the trailblazing Grace Reid.

• Paris 2024 Olympics coverage runs from Friday until 11 August, live across BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and on the BBC Sport website and app.