Savannah Guthrie’s Olympics Replacement Revealed Amid Search for Mom

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Savannah Guthrie’s replacement for the 2026 Winter Olympics has been announced.

Following the announcement that Today show anchor Nancy Guthrie is prioritizing the search for her mother, NBC has named Mary Carillo to cover the Opening Ceremony. Carillo will join previously announced co-host Terry Gannon.

NBC Olympics Production president Molly Solomon announced on February 4th that they have a strong team of talented commentators ready to take on these roles. She described Mary as a highly experienced Olympic commentator and an exceptional storyteller.

Solomon explained that she and Terry will guide viewers in the United States through this major international event.

Carillo, a veteran of 17 Olympic Games, and Gannon will be joined in the broadcast booth by three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White.

Shaun White recently shared how much the Olympics mean to him, saying it’s a true honor to be back in a new capacity – celebrating the athletes and the exciting atmosphere in Italy. He understands the significance of those moments when the world is watching and is eager to share that experience with viewers at home.

There’s been a change to the Olympic broadcast team: Craig Melvin, co-anchor of Today in Savannah, will no longer host Olympic Late Night between February 7th and 9th. NBC Sports’ Ahmed Fareed will take his place.

Solomon praised Ahmed’s talent and adaptability, saying he consistently excels in any hosting position. They’re happy he’s able to cover their late-night programming before traveling to Los Angeles for the NBA All-Star Weekend.

Following her coverage of the 2026 Super Bowl on February 8th, Maria Taylor will be heading to Italy to host Olympic Late Night.

Oh my gosh, you guys, Maria Taylor – the Maria Taylor, who’s going to be at the Super Bowl next year! – she’s taking over on Olympic Late Night! I heard she’s stepping in for Fareed starting February 10th and she’ll be there for the entire Olympics. I’m seriously so excited, she’s amazing!

As for the athletes heading to Italy for the Olympics? Read on to get to know Team USA. 

Though Mikaela Shiffrin has already won three Olympic medals, she’s determined to perform better at her fourth Olympics. She didn’t achieve the results she wanted at the 2022 Beijing Games, and she recently recovered from a serious crash in November 2024 where she injured her abdomen and needed surgery.

In a recent interview with TIME, Mikaela Shiffrin explained she’s acutely aware of the unpredictable nature of competition. While she knows preparation is key, she accepts that even perfect planning doesn’t guarantee a medal. What gives her confidence is the strong support system she has with her coaches and team – she believes they’ll be able to face any challenge together, and that’s all she can ask for.

Okay, so everyone knows Mikaela Shiffrin has always had Aleksander Aamodt Kilde in her corner – he’s a phenomenal skier himself! But now? Now they’re engaged! Seriously, it’s amazing! Two of the best alpine skiers in the world, together! I’m so thrilled for them both; it’s like a dream come true for anyone who follows the sport.

He kept telling me to stay positive and that everything would be alright, she shared with Olympics.com. Especially last season, she had moments of doubt, wondering if pushing herself to return was too much, too soon, or even possible. But he reassured her, saying she knew her own limits and that as long as she was giving it her all, it was okay if things didn’t work out.

After struggling with repeated knee injuries, Lindsey Vonn retired from competitive skiing in 2019. She had competed in five Winter Olympics, achieving a gold medal in downhill and a bronze in Super-G in 2010, and another bronze in downhill in 2018.

After a successful partial knee replacement in 2024 finally relieved the pain she’d lived with since her first knee surgery in 2013, she rediscovered her love for speed.

While he enjoys other things like board meetings and investing, the 41-year-old skier told NBC News in December that nothing compares to the thrill of downhill skiing. He’s built a good life beyond the sport, and accepts he’ll never recapture that feeling, but he plans to fully savor this last experience and the adrenaline rush it provides.

Vonn’s crash during a World Cup race in Switzerland on January 30th was serious enough to require a helicopter rescue, and it almost ended her attempt to return to competition.

Despite tearing her left ACL, the experienced athlete announced she was healthy enough to compete in the women’s downhill race on February 8th in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Cortina is hosting the skiing, snowboarding, and sliding events, while Milan will host skating and curling.

Speaking at a press conference on February 3rd, she declared she wouldn’t give up. Despite the difficult situation, she stated she remained strong and determined to give it her all.

Jessie Diggins, the most accomplished American cross-country skier ever, is competing in her last Olympic Games.

And the Afton, Minn., native is headed to Italy with a purpose.

In a recent Instagram post, the 34-year-old shared that they have the freedom to choose who they compete for and live according to their beliefs. They dedicated their efforts to those who care for others, protect their communities, and approach people with kindness, saying that these individuals inspire them and make them proud to represent their country. They hope to bring happiness to these supporters in the coming weeks.

After she retires, she shared with NPR’s All Things Considered that she’s looking forward to spending time gardening and, most importantly, being at home with her husband.

At just 17, Stolz first competed in the Olympics in Beijing. Though he didn’t medal four years ago, he’s now a strong contender to win gold in several events at the Milan Cortina Games, including the 500, 1,000, and 1,500-meter races, plus the mass start race – a challenging 16-lap, 6,400-meter competition.

The 21-year-old athlete believes he has a strong chance of winning gold if he performs flawlessly. Speaking to the Associated Press in January, he said that as long as things go smoothly, he should be able to handle the pressure. He added that he’s experienced many high-stakes races before, so the expectations don’t worry him much.

Four years after making history at the Beijing Winter Olympics – becoming the first Black American woman to medal in speed skating and the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal – 500-meter champion Erin Jackson will carry her nation’s flag into the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Games on February 6th. She will share the honor with bobsledder Frank Del Duca.

It’s a huge honor to represent the United States internationally,” said the 33-year-old from Ocala, Florida. “This isn’t just about me; it’s about my family, teammates, hometown, and everyone in the country who supports athletics.

Although she’s not retiring immediately, Jackson plans to launch an organization dedicated to supporting young Black athletes who want to compete in speed skating.

Representation is incredibly important because it allows people to see themselves succeeding, and that hasn’t always been the case in winter sports, especially speed skating. I’m proud to be a role model and hope to inspire others to get involved in the sport. I’m committed to making that happen for as many people as possible.

Kim sustained a minor labrum tear in January after dislocating her shoulder during training in Switzerland, but this wouldn’t prevent her from competing in her fourth Olympics, where she’s aiming for her third gold medal in the women’s halfpipe event.

The 25-year-old from Torrance, California, expressed disappointment in a video on January 13th that an injury will keep her off the snowboard until just before the Olympics, making preparation difficult. She acknowledged she hasn’t had as much practice as she’d hoped, but remains optimistic.

She expects a relaxed period leading up to the 2026 Games. In an interview with NBC Olympics on January 22nd, she explained that she was currently at home and planned to travel to Europe early the following week for some training before heading to Milan for the event.

And once she was there, she’d be fired up and ready to go—just like everyone else.

It’s honestly hard to put into words what it’s like out there, but as someone who’s been snowboarding since I was a little kid, I can tell you it feels like everyone reaches their absolute best when they’re doing what they love. We all just become the best versions of ourselves.

Gerard won a gold medal in slopestyle at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics when he was 17. Now, as a two-time X Games champion, he’s aiming to achieve the same success at his third Olympic Games.

Okay, so I was reading this interview with my absolute idol, and they were talking about how they still feel young and amazing at 25! It’s so inspiring. They’re originally from Ohio, but now live in Colorado, which is cool. But the best part? They’ve been on Team USA since they were, like, thirteen! Can you believe it? And now they’re one of the older athletes, and they get to mentor the younger ones. It’s just… so awesome to see them giving back and sharing their experience. Seriously, they’re incredible.

When it comes to competing at the Olympics, Gerard focuses on treating it like any other competition. He acknowledges it’s a much larger event with more attention, but ultimately, the snowboarding itself doesn’t change. He tries to stay focused on his own performance and approach it the same way he always has, blocking out the extra pressure.

The 31-year-old snowboarder is competing in his third Olympic Games, hoping to add a gold medal to his collection after winning silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022.

Skier Ferreira believes this is his year to win a gold medal. Speaking to the Daily Express, he explained that he’s entering the competition healthy for the first time, unlike his previous two attempts where he was injured – a broken collarbone before the first games and a sprained ankle just three weeks before the second. He feels being older and more focused will also give him an edge this time around.

Let me tell you, this guy comes from a seriously active family! Not only does he have a sister named Lourdes and parents who were both athletes – his dad, Marcelo, actually played professional soccer in Argentina, and his mom, Colleen, was a competitive runner – but he also has a sweet rescue dog named Brandy by his side. It’s a family that clearly values health, fitness, and a little bit of unconditional love!

What I love most about my dog, Brandy, is her unconditional love. As Nulo’s ambassador, I shared that she doesn’t care about accomplishments or recognition – she just greets me with a wagging tail and is there for me through everything, and I truly need her companionship.

Hall is competing in his third Olympic Games as the current gold medalist in slopestyle. He’s improved dramatically since finishing 16th in the same event at the 2018 Olympics.

I’m really excited to watch him compete! He’s hoping to go for another gold in slopestyle – he actually told The Athletic he keeps his first one in his sock drawer, which is awesome! – but he’s also determined to do better than eighth place in Big Air this year. He seems so laid-back and happy to just be competing, and I’m rooting for him to have an amazing performance!

In an interview with POWDER magazine in October 2025, Hall expressed his enthusiasm for the return of the Olympics to Europe, noting the potential for excellent skiing conditions in the mountains – something the last two Olympics lacked. He also shared a personal connection to the event, explaining that his mother is from Bologna, Italy, and many of his family members who still live there will be attending the games, which he anticipates will be a wonderful experience.

The 29-year-old freestyle skier is competing in her third Olympic Games and hopes to build on the silver medal she won in Beijing.

She always knows who to ask for help, whether it’s about preparing for a competition or dealing with the stress of competing on the world stage.

Patti Sherman-Kauf is a decorated athlete: she won two championships on the World Pro Moguls Tour, even while pregnant with her daughter, and her husband, Scott Kauf, won five titles. After retiring from moguls skiing, Patti excelled in skicross, earning three bronze medals at the X Games.

I remember Patti telling NBC Olympics about Jaelin’s early days. Apparently, she wasn’t a typical baby who enjoyed being rocked. She actually preferred being bounced – it was the only way to soothe her, it seemed!

Jaelin confessed to Teton Gravity Research in November 2025 that she didn’t initially love mogul skiing. She preferred powder days, but watching her parents build careers as professional skiers showed her it was a viable path for herself. She felt fortunate to have that example and support, as it’s not a common opportunity or career choice many people see growing up.

I’m so excited to see Jaelin’s support system! Her boyfriend, Bradley Wilson, is incredible – a two-time Olympian and retired moguls skier. And it’s amazing that his brother, Bryon Wilson, who actually won an Olympic bronze medal, is also part of the team as Kauf’s coach! It’s a real family affair and I know they all push each other to be their best.

Humphries’ journey has had more twists than a bobsled run.

Originally from Calgary, this 40-year-old athlete represented Team Canada in two-woman bobsled and achieved Olympic success, winning gold medals in both 2010 and 2014, and a bronze medal in 2018.

In 2019, she surprised everyone in the sports world by announcing her departure from the Canadian national team after 16 years. She explained that she was afraid for her safety due to a harmful atmosphere within the team leading up to the 2018 Olympics.

In 2019, Humphries began competing for the U.S. team while also maintaining her Canadian citizenship, stating she didn’t intend to choose between the two countries.

She clarified that her affection for Canada hasn’t diminished, but she’s capable of loving someone and something new just as deeply. After living in the U.S. for four years, she found love with an American, whom she married. Now, life has presented them with new paths, and they’re making choices about their future together.

In 2021, Kaillie Humphries became a U.S. citizen and then, in 2022, she won a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in the first-ever Olympic monobob competition—a one-person bobsled race.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always inspired by incredible women balancing it all! This summer will be extra special for me to watch as an athlete competes in her fifth Olympic Games – and her first as a new mom! She and her husband, Travis Armbruster, welcomed their son, Aulden, in June, and it’s amazing to see her pursue her dreams while embracing motherhood.

For years, people have said that having a baby means an athlete’s body will change too much for them to return to top performance. Kaillie Humphries told The Athletic that the common belief was that motherhood effectively ended a sports career. However, she believes that’s changing, and athletes can now successfully balance both family and their sport. She’s demonstrating that it is possible to have both a child and continue competing at a high level.

Honestly, bobsledding has become my personal escape since my husband, Nic Taylor, and I became parents. We welcomed our son, Nico, in 2020, and then Noah in 2022. It’s been a beautiful, and sometimes challenging, journey. Nico has Down syndrome, and both boys are deaf – something we discovered was due to a gene we both carry, but didn’t know about until after Nico was born. It’s made life richer, and those hours sliding down the track are truly my time to recharge and focus.

Even though things were incredibly hectic at home, Meyers Taylor really wanted her children to witness her professional life.

The 41-year-old told The Athletic that future generations will encounter difficulties he can’t fully imagine. He hopes they’ll learn that even when things get tough, it’s important to keep chasing your goals. He wants them to witness both his successes – seeing him with medals – and his struggles, learning how to overcome setbacks and keep fighting.

Although Kaillie Meyers Taylor has earned five Olympic medals across four Olympic Games – including four in two-woman bobsled and a silver in monobob at the 2022 Games – she’s still aiming to win her first gold medal.

Okay, seriously, is there anything cooler than skeleton? I mean, the sheer guts it takes to launch yourself headfirst down an icy track on this little sled… it’s just insane! And they’re going, like, ninety miles an hour! It’s not just a sport, it’s… it’s a display of pure, unadulterated awesome. I’m obsessed!

Ro, who in 2025 became the first American to win a medal in skeleton racing at the IBSF World Championships in 12 years, initially didn’t believe she’d succeed.

She remembers her first time trying skeleton in 2016 vividly. After being told she was too small for bobsled, the coach guided her to the starting line. Once she pushed off, everything happened so quickly she couldn’t see or think. When she reached the bottom, her immediate reaction was, ‘That’s it, I’m never doing that again!’ she told The Athletic in December.

But after listening to enough people rave about how cool it was, she tried it again.

Ten years after starting her journey, the athlete from Virginia is now competing in her first Olympics. She’ll be participating in both individual events and the new mixed-team event, which is being introduced at the 2026 Games.

Outside of training and competition, Ro—one of eleven children, and a twin by just fourteen minutes—works as a tour guide at the Lake Placid Olympic Center. Like many athletes in less-publicized sports, she takes on a second job to help cover expenses.

She described being fully immersed in her work and training environment, saying it’s a constant part of her life. She also explained that tourists enjoy tours led by athletes, who offer a special, insider’s view of the facility. While she appreciates the opportunity, she emphasized it won’t generate enough income to fully fund her athletic pursuits.

Illya Malinin comes from a family of figure skating stars – both his parents were champions in Uzbekistan. He started skating at age 6, but growing up in Virginia, he actually preferred playing soccer outdoors and wasn’t thrilled about practicing in the chilly rink.

At age 17, he made history as the first—and so far, only—skater to successfully complete a fully rotated quadruple axel in an international competition, achieving this feat at the 2022 CS U.S. International Classic.

Ilia Malinin, known as the “Quad God,” has successfully landed four quadruple jumps in a single program several times. With Nathan Chen, previously known as the “Quad King,” not competing in the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, Malinin is currently considered the top U.S. male skater with a strong chance of winning another individual gold medal.

Four years after not making Team USA, the 20-year-old is now concentrating on preparing himself to perform well.

In competitions, Ilia Malinin focuses on delivering a strong performance rather than winning medals. He explained on the USA Today‘s Milan Magic podcast that he concentrates on his role as a skater and preparing thoroughly so he can skate to the best of his ability. He believes that if he skates cleanly, the medals will naturally follow.

After earning a bronze medal at both the Beijing Olympics and the World Championships, Liu retired from competitive skating in 2022.

Looking back on my decision to retire at 17, it really started when I was just five years old – I dedicated almost my entire childhood to training! Because I was homeschooled, I had the flexibility to really focus, but it also meant a lot of time spent in isolation. I’m a naturally social person and really thrive on connection with others, so spending years training alone, without family or friends nearby, was a real trade-off. It was all about prioritizing that training, but it definitely came at a personal cost.

She explained that she had very little control over her training and appearance, saying people chose her programs and outfits without her input. She felt like she was simply being used, like a doll dressed up for show. Despite not wanting to participate in this way, she felt obligated to compete in the Olympics, feeling she owed it to her younger self.

After starting her studies at UCLA in the fall of 2023 and enjoying a typical college experience, she rediscovered her competitive spirit during a ski trip in January. By March 2024, she was officially back to competing. The 20-year-old from Clovis, California, then achieved a gold medal at the World Championships in 2025. Now, she’s aiming to win a medal – and ideally another gold – at the 2026 Games, which would end the U.S. women’s 20-year wait for an individual medal.

When she takes the ice now, “it’s fully for myself,” Liu explained. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool.”

I’m so excited to be watching them compete! This Olympics is extra special because it’s their fourth time representing us, and it’s the first time they’re doing it as a married couple – they just got married in June 2024. It’s a really lovely moment for them and for all of us who have been following their journey.

In December, Chock explained to TopMob News that getting married strengthened their relationship and dedication to their sport. They already had a strong connection through skating, but marriage has made them true partners, supporting each other in everything they do, both on and off the ice.

Though they helped the U.S. figure skating team win gold in Beijing in 2022, the three-time world champion pair haven’t yet earned an Olympic medal of their own.

We’ve been working really hard and dedicating a lot of time and effort,” Bates shared with TopMob, “and we truly appreciate every day and the chance we’ve been given.

While both the 36-year-old skater and his 33-year-old partner haven’t announced their retirement, they recognize they are nearing the end of their competitive careers.

At the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Bates told NBC Olympics in January that they were trying to stay focused and not get overwhelmed by the emotion of the event and their 15-year partnership. They said the best reward was to perform well, but they also wanted to savor the moment, knowing it might be their last competition. Ultimately, they went on to win gold.

The veteran U.S. women’s hockey player, a gold medalist in 2018, has announced that the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics will be her last. At 36 years old, this will be her fifth Olympic Games, making her the American hockey player with the most Olympic appearances ever, regardless of gender.

Although winning another gold medal would be fantastic, Knight emphasized to Today.com that a large portion of the team – possibly more than half – are Olympic first-timers. She’s focused on making sure everyone feels comfortable and can perform at their best. Knight believes the team has incredible talent, and helping those players reach their full potential will be key to achieving elite performance.

A University of Wisconsin graduate, she currently plays hockey for the Seattle Torrent in Washington. However, she and her partner, Brittany Bowe – a veteran speed skater competing in her fourth and final Olympics shortly before turning 38 on February 24th – have made their home in Salt Lake City.

As elite athletes, you develop a strong sense of what someone else needs – whether it’s encouragement or time to themselves,” Knight explained to NBC Olympics in June 2025. “Because we’ve both been performing at a high level for so long, we’re able to understand each other well.

This mixed doubles curling team, paired up after the 2022 Beijing Olympics, will be making their Olympic debut together. They recently finished fifth at the 2025 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship and previously won a world championship in 2023. The partners believe their success is due to both their abilities and how well their personalities mesh.

Ahead of the Milan Cortina Games, figure skater Dropkin, 30, explained how well she and her partner, Cory, work together. She said they’ve found a great balance, staying relaxed and focused on the present. They also complement each other’s personalities – someone recently described them as ‘the calm and the fire.’ Cory brings a cool, confident presence to the ice, while Dropkin adds a lot of energy and passion, and the combination works beautifully.

He and his wife, Thiesse, who married Sam Thiesse in June 2022, live in Duluth, Minnesota. They both work regular jobs to support their passion for curling.

Dropkin works in real estate, and Thiesse is a lab technician who tests wastewater for mercury. Thiesse shared with Duluth’s ABC 10 that she’s thankful to have a stable job while pursuing her passion for curling, saying it’s been a lifelong dream for her and her teammates.

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2026-02-05 01:50