NBC has added a couple decorated Olympians to its coverage of the Rio Games, with the Opening Ceremony a little more than a week away on Friday, Aug. 5.
Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross and 2012 Olympic decathlon silver medalist Trey Hardee are set to join NBC Olympics’ coverage of track and field. Both served as guest analysts for the NBC Sports Group’s coverage the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials earlier this month.
“We’re thrilled to bring the expertise of Sanya and Trey to our track and field coverage, where they will take viewers inside the sport and provide specific details and insights about the athletes,” said Jim Bell, Executive Producer, NBC Olympics.
Richards-Ross retired July 1 after injuring her hamstring during a 400m preliminary heat at Trials. She was attempting to make her fourth Olympic team after winning two gold medals at the London Games – her first individual gold in the 400m, and her third Olympic gold in the 4x400m relay. She has the most sub-50 second 400m races in history.
Hardee collected the decathlon silver medal at the 2012 Olympics, finishing behind compatriot Ashton Eaton to mark the first time Americans had finished 1-2 in the event at the Olympics since 1956. Hardee also won world titles in 2009 and 2011, and his score of 8,790 set at the 2009 Worlds ranks behind only Eaton, Dan O’ Brien and Bryan Clay in American history.
Leading NBC’s track and field coverage will again be Tom Hammond for the seventh consecutive Olympics. Ato Boldon returns as an analyst in his fourth Olympic assignment, and Lewis Johnson will be the track and field reporter in his ninth assignment with NBC Olympics.
Kenny Albert will handle play-by-play duties for track events on NBCSN, while Todd Harris will perform play-by-play for field events.
Craig Masback is set to provide analysis on the men’s marathon and distance races, with Tim Hutchings assisting with analysis on the marathons.
Track and field competition at the Rio Games begins Aug. 12.
MORE: Brazilian supermodels to join NBC Olympics’ coverage from Rio
