Background
The son of an Adelaide accountant, McAvaney developed an early interest in sport and race calling.
The son of an Adelaide accountant, McAvaney developed an early interest in sport and race calling.
McAvaney has presented high-profile events including the American Federation of Labor-Congress Grand Final, Melbourne Cup, Australian Open and Summer Olympics. McAvaney is well known for his commentary of American Federation of Labor-Congress matches as well as covering every Summer Olympic Games from Moscow 1980 until London 2012. After attending Woodville High School (and failing Year 12) he spent five years as a Telecom clerk.
Then in 1976 during a day off work, McAvaney travelled to Kilmore, Victoria to bet on some races.
There, he met Kevin Hillier, an Adelaide race caller, who suggested McAvaney help him out back in Adelaide. This launched his career in the sports media, joining Adelaide radio station 5DN, calling horse races and later hosting a sports show.
McAvaney moved to television in 1978, when he joined Adelaide station ADS-7 to read sport news and produce the weekly Racetrack program From 1981 until 1983, McAveney was the chief sports presenter for Seven News in Adelaide.
He was also the lead commentator for Seven"s telecasts of the South Australian National Football League competition, calling the 1983 SANFL Grand Final with former player Robert Oatey.
He also hosted the league"s Magarey Medal telecasts. In late 1983 he moved to Melbourne and joined Ten Melbourne to read sport news. The following year he was the secondary host and commentated track and field events at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics for the Ten Network.
In 1989, McAvaney negotiated a two-year premature end to his contract with Ten, and returned to the Seven Network on the condition that he could cover the 1992 Olympics.
His extensive history covering Olympic Games has led to the nickname "Mr Olympics".