Sunrise's Matt Shirvington: From Olympic sprinter to the host of Australia's top breakfast show
Here's everything you need to know about the new co-host of Sunrise.
The Seven Network has crowned athletic sprinter and gold-medal broadcaster, Matt Shirvington, as the new host of Sunrise.
As a former Olympic great, Shirvo knows a thing or two about reaching new heights and blazing trails. Now, he's set to bring his winning spirit to Australia's favourite breakfast show.
Having been an esteemed member of the 7NEWS and Sunrise team for the past three years, Shirvo will join forces with Natalie Barr, starting from next Monday.
Athlete and Olympian
Representing Australia on the grandest stage, he showcased his remarkable talent in multiple Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
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A five-time Australian 100m sprint champion, Shirvo first left his mark at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games. Despite a fiercely competitive field, Shirvo sprinted his way to a fourth-place finish, shattering the Australian 100m record along the way.
Continuing his athletic career, Shirvington took to the 2000 Olympic Games track. There, he reached the semi-finals of the men's 100m sprint, and advanced to the quarter-finals of the 200m sprint.
His unwavering commitment to excellence extended beyond the Olympics, as he competed in multiple Athletics World Championships from 1999 to 2007. In the 2001 Edmonton world final, Shirvo's determination propelled him and his team to a remarkable bronze medal in the 4 x 100m relay.
After years of pushing his limits, Shirvington decided to retire from competitive running in 2008, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable performances and achievements.
Shirvo on screen
In 2005, Matt Shirvington kickstarted his media career with the Seven Network, gracing the screens as a presenter for the science show, Beyond Tomorrow. However, this was just the beginning of his TV journey. Following his retirement from professional sports in 2008, Shirvo seized an opportunity at Sky News in 2010. It was there that he delivered his very first live news read, marking a significant milestone in his broadcasting career.
Shirvington later joined Fox Sports, where he became an integral part of their National Rugby League (NRL) coverage with his deep knowledge and insightful analysis.
Three years into a subsequent media contract with Channel 7, Shirvington has expanded his horizons beyond the world of sports. While initially joining Channel 7 as a weekend sports presenter in Sydney, he delved into the realm of reality television, hosting wildly entertaining shows like Holey Moley and Ultimate Tag.
Stepping onto the global stage as the lead commentator for Channel Seven's afternoon coverage of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Matt Shirvington captivated audiences with his wealth of athletic experience and genuine passion for sports.
Now, he's set to step into the shoes for the beloved David Koch on Sunrise, where he'll spend mornings engaging with the Australian public about the news of the day.
Personal life
Beyond the spotlight, Matt Shirvington finds solace and unwavering support in his personal life.
Throughout his soaring career, one constant source of strength and love has been his childhood sweetheart, Jessica. The couple's love story began at the tender age of 17, and now, after two decades together, they are happily married and share three children together, daughters Sienna and Winter and son Lincoln.
While the couple prefers to keep their children's lives private and shielded from the public eye, they have openly shared the challenges they faced during their journey to expand their family.
Jessica, who is an accomplished young adult fiction writer, bravely battled endometriosis, which presented hurdles in conceiving their third child.
Matt acknowledges the strength of their relationship lies in their mutual understanding and unwavering support for each other's personal and professional pursuits. In the midst of Matt's meteoric rise in his career, his love and partnership with Jessica remain at the core of his happiness and success.
As David Koch bids farewell to his role as co-host of Sunrise, he warmly acknowledges Matt Shirvington's seamless transition into his shoes. “Shirvo has been part of the Sunrise family and filling in for me for the last 18 months. He is the perfect fit to shift into my chair on a permanent basis."
Shirvo will co-host his first edition of Sunrise with Nat Barr next Monday, 12 June.
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