The Tokyo Olympics broadcast team just got a huge influx of gold medals. NBC announced today that they are adding Michael Phelps to their broadcast team. The most decorated Olympian of all time is joining the network’s swimming coverage.
A 28-time medalist, including 23 gold medals, Phelps is filling the role of primetime analyst throughout the weeks in Tokyo while also joining Dan Hicks and Rowdy Gaines in the booth for a few swimming events.
“From the moment he joined our team at Trials, Michael’s ability to provide insightful analysis, thoughtful commentary and tell entertaining stories was apparent,” Executive Producer & President of NBC Olympics Production Molly Solomon said in the press release. “We’re thrilled to have him join us in Tokyo, and our audience will benefit from hearing the perspective of the most decorated Olympian of all time.”
The new gig isn’t Phelps only connection to NBCUniversal. The five-time Olympian is also working on a Peacock series called Michael Phelps: Medals, Memories & More. The three-part series dives into the most important moments that shaped the greatest Olympic career of all time.
Over the last decade, Phelps has primarily focused on his foundation aimed at helping kids lead healthy lives. The Michael Phelps Foundation focuses on youth swimming and expanding access to pools for kids across the country.
As Solomon highlighted above, this isn’t Phelps’s first foray into the broadcasting waters. The 36-year-old had a test run at this year’s U.S. Olympic Trials, and NBC liked what they saw. Swimming events get rolling this weekend with the familiar face still involved all these years removed from Sydney.
Fans would have to rattle the memory back to Atlanta in 1996 for the last time Phelps wasn’t tied to an Olympics in some way. If anyone can garner instant credibility during their first Olympic broadcast on the mic, it’s Phelps.