Who are the top five announcers in Summer Olympics history
Every four years, they become members of the household.
As soon as their voices ring out of the television sets, they’re embraced by dedicated watchers of the Summer Olympics. They’re broadcasting icons.
With the 2024 Paris Olympics in full swing, this week’s High Five looks at the best in the business. We’re bringing you the top five announcers in the history of the Summer Games.
5. Mary Carillo
Perhaps the Olympics’ most underrated broadcaster, Carillo is in Paris for her 16th Games. At first sticking to her expertise in tennis — she won a French Open mixed doubles title in 1977 — she began her Olympics coverage in 1996 in Atlanta.
Carillo developed into a jack of all trades, commentating on winter and summer sports, serving as an in-studio host and offering slice of life features.
Whatever producers have thrown her way, Carillo has delivered … even as she declined to eat snails as part of her recent culinary reporting from Paris.
4. Rowdy Gaines
While Carillo thrives through versatility, Gaines excels staying in his lane. His swimming lane, that is.
A three-time gold medal freestyle sprinter in the 1984 Los Angeles Games, Gaines began his Olympics broadcasting at the 1992 Barcelona Games. Paris represents his ninth Olympics.
Don’t be distracted by Gaines’ extreme enthusiasm. He’s not only a huge fan but an expert analyst offering insight both swimming experts and novices can appreciate.
He’ll break down entries and turns. He’ll talk about how pool depth affects world records and how lane views impact swimmers’ ability to gauge their competition.
Swimming is one of the most popular events in the Olympics. Gaines always rises to the occasion.
3. Mike Tirico
Don’t be surprised if Tirico eventually moves to No. 1 on this list.
As it stands, though, the only thing holding him back is relative inexperience compared to his predecessors. Paris is Tirico’s fifth overall Olympics and his fourth as No. 1 host.
Tirico’s broadcasting chops are among the best in the business. His NFL coverage is top-notch.
But he’s found a home with the Olympics. It’s amazing how comfortable he seems bouncing sport to sport. His in-studio interviews seem like fireside chats.
Hopefully, Tirico is the broadcasting face of the Olympics for many years to come.
2. Bob Costas
Costas, who was replaced by Tirico in 2018, was a top broadcaster for the Olympics for 20 years. That includes eight Summer Olympics, starting in 1988 in Seoul and finishing in 2016 in Rio.
Costas isn’t for everyone. Many years, his commentary came under fire. But no one put the Games in perspective better than Costas, who has been enshrined in multiple broadcasting halls of fame.
Whether it’s baseball, football, basketball or even horse racing, Costas always has been among the best in the business. With the Olympics, he became an legend.
1. Jim McKay
“Spanning the globe” not only became McKay’s trademark opening on “Wide World of Sports,” it also became a part of his life as a stalwart Olympics broadcaster.
McKay guided us through the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Games, staying on the air for 16 straight hours. Starting with the Rome Games in 1960, McKay anchored 10 Olympics culminating in his final broadcast at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games.
Just think about the Olympic legends McKay covered for captivated audiences — Wilma Rudolph, Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay), Mark Spitz, Nadia Comaneci, Bruce Jenner, the Miracle on Ice, Carl Lewis and so many others.
From the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat, he was the best.