Phelps back in booth for NBC
INDIANAPOLIS — Michael Phelps will be back in the broadcast booth for the Paris Olympics. Nbcuniversal announced Friday that Phelps will be a part of its coverage team for the second Olympics in a row, following his role at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021.
Phelps retired after the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, having captured more gold medals (23) and total medals (28) than any athlete.
He will offer commentary and analysis on the primetime and daytime shows in Paris on NBC and Peacock. In addition, Phelps will join Dan Hicks and Rowdy Gaines in the booth for select swimming nights at París La Défense Arena.
Former Olympian Elizabeth Beisel will serve as a correspondent and analyst, with Melissa Stark serving as a reporter at the swimming venue.
“We are excited to have Michael return to our coverage across both daytime and primetime, and of course, the place where no one knows more about winning — at the pool,” said Molly Solomon, the executive producer and president of NBC Olympics Production. “With his ability to analyze and entertain, our viewers are in for another gold-medal performance.”
Larson comes out of retirement
Jordan Larson finds a much-needed safe haven the moment she walks into the office of longtime U.S. volleyball coach Karch Kiraly.
She can take a deep breath and know she will have his support through any life challenge.
Larson never expected to be wearing a volleyball uniform at age 37. She retired after leading the Americans to a longawaited gold medal at the Tokyo Games. Yet after a divorce and some serious soul-searching, Larson finds herself back with the national team and headed to a fourth Olympics.
Kiraly is a key reason. Larson realizes she wouldn't be on this path without him after both started with the women's team in 2009.
“Karch and I have been on this journey now together . ... He's known my whole professional career and all the stuff that's come between,” she said. “I think there's obviously more that goes into coaching — friend, mentor, he's just the epitome of everything.”
Kiraly has lifted her up through two divorces and following the death of her mother, Kae, to breast cancer 15 years ago.
Larson credits Kiraly for having “an impact without judgment.”
“Life gets hard and he's just been there and consistent for me,” she said.
Kiraly, a decorated beach and indoor Olympian himself, helped guide Larson and the Americans to a silver medal at the 2012 London Games. They captured bronze in Rio de Janeiro four years later with him as head coach, and then won that elusive first gold in Tokyo.
Bacon leading 3M springboard
Sarah Bacon led women's 3-meter springboard and Carson Tyler topped men's 10-meter platform after the semifinals of the U.S. Olympic diving trials on Thursday.
Bacon was consistent throughout her list and totaled 341.25 points. She was trailed by Alison Gibson at 317.70 and Sophie Verzyl with 313.55.
Krysta Palmer, the bronze medalist on springboard at the Tokyo Olympics, was fourth at 299.30.
Bacon will be looking to qualify for a second event in Paris after earning a spot in synchronized 3-meter Monday at the University of Tennessee natatorium.
Tyler received 477.20 points in the platform semifinal, highlighted by 94.35 points on a front 4 1⁄2 tuck and 86.40 on a back 2 1⁄2 with 2 1⁄2.
Tyler Wills held the second spot with 429.90, followed by Brandon Loschiavo at 424.75.
Scores from the semifinals will carry over into the finals Saturday.