Bob Costas has succeeded Jim McKay as the voice of the Olympics on American television. Costas has worked for NBC Television, which has televised all Olympic Games to the American public since 1988, and all Olympic Winter Games since 2002. Costas has been the main studio host now for five Olympic Games or Olympic Winter Games, backing up Bryant Gumbel in 1988. He began his career in broadcasting after majoring in communications at Syracuse University, known for its broadcasting curriculum. Aged only 22, he was selected to broadcast basketball for the Spirits of St. Louis in the now defunct ABA. He then joined CBS Sports, covering regional football and basketball games. In 1980 he joined NBC, and has since handled lead broadcast duties for baseball, basketball, and football. He has branched out from sports and for a time hosted “Later with Bob Costas,” a general interview show that aired after midnight on NBC. Costas has won numerous awards for his work, being named Sportscaster of the Year several times and winning nearly 20 Emmy Awards.
United States