Olympic Legend Michael Phelps Has Shown Golden Touch In Broadcast Booth
The NBC broadcasting partnership between Dan Hicks and Rowdy Gaines has been highly successful for many years. Together, they have called seven Olympic Games, and have also teamed up for other major competitions. Most recently, they worked together at the World Championships in Fukuoka, this summer’s gathering of the best in the sport.
As a play-by-play guy, Hicks is an all-timer. His Olympic role with NBC is complemented by his duties as the man who guides his network’s coverage of some of the biggest golf tournaments in the world. Meanwhile, Gaines has served as NBC’s longtime swimming analyst, the three-time Olympian bringing an inarguable passion to the telecast, along with commentary that provides context to the action.
At the World Championships in Japan, Hicks and Gaines worked a three-person booth during the first half of the meet. The additional member was Michael Phelps, the 28-time Olympic medalist whose career was documented by Hicks and Gaines from Phelps’ debut in Sydney to his farewell in Rio de Janeiro.
Phelps has called occasional races with the entrenched NBC tandem since his retirement, but his presence in Fukuoka was particularly notable. With Phelps’ last world record targeted by France’s Leon Marchand, NBC made a wise decision to include the GOAT in its coverage. After all, it was an opportunity to bring extra insight to the viewership.
Indeed, Marchand took down Phelps’ record. Actually, he destroyed the 14-year-old standard, producing a mark of 4:02.50. As Phelps watched Marchand pursue his final record, Phelps simultaneously analyzed how Marchand was attacking the record and provided genuine emotion. He discussed where Marchand needed to be at various checkpoints and noted the strength of his underwaters.
More, he tipped his cap toward the Frenchman, almost celebrating the fact that Marchand was delivering a generational performance in the event. The appreciation of excellence from someone who routinely produced greatness was a nice touch. The package of detailed analysis and honest emotion combined for a terrific approach.
“I’m a technique person and I look at splits, so for me to talk about that stuff is really simple,” Phelps told Swimming World. “I’ve enjoyed trying to bring it down to the public’s level. I know I can get really technical and talk about things that maybe only swim people will understand. But being with Rowdy and being with Dan, I’ve known those guys forever and they called every one of my races. I enjoy it, just being able to let my mind go and talk about the stuff that I love.”
With the 2024 Olympic Games slated for Paris, NBC has a great thing going when it comes to its swimming booth. Hicks and Gaines have tremendous chemistry, developed through their years together. And if Phelps is eager to repeat his duties, it would only bolster the broadcast.
Go Michael. Look forward to your induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in September. Cheers!