Mary Carillo replaces Savannah Guthrie as NBC's 2026 Winter Olympics host. The veteran broadcaster, with 17 Olympic assignments, steps in as Guthrie tends to her mother's kidnapping.
Mary Carillo to replace Savannah Guthrie as NBC's 2026 Olympics host (Image: File)
Veteran broadcaster and former professional tennis player Mary Carillo has been named to replace TODAY show host Savannah Guthrie as a prime-time anchor for NBC’s coverage of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Guthrie stepped away from the assignment following the kidnapping of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, in Arizona.
NBC Sports announced Carillo will join Terry Gannon as a host of the Opening Ceremony, marking her 17th overall Olympic assignment for the network. The appointment draws on Carillo’s deep experience as a storyteller and her personal connection to the host region.
Mary Carillo, a longtime sports journalist and former tennis professional, will assume the prime-time hosting role alongside Terry Gannon for the Milan Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony. NBC Sports PR confirmed the change, stating Ahmed Fareed will host Olympic Late Night for the first three nights of the Games. Executive Producer Molly Solomon said the network is “fortunate to have a deep bench of talented commentators” and called Carillo “a master storyteller.”
Mary Carillo is a New York City-native who began her broadcasting career in 1980 after a four-year professional tennis career ended due to knee injuries. Her extensive resume includes:
Carillo has a direct personal link to the 2026 host city. She is of Italian descent and lived in Milan for two years as a child. This will be her 14th Olympic assignment with NBCUniversal and her 17th overall, having previously hosted three Closing Ceremonies and played prominent roles in Opening Ceremonies for Athens 2004, Torino 2006, and Vancouver 2010.
Carillo’s broadcasting career is decorated with major awards and longevity, built on her initial fame as a professional tennis player. She is a two-time Peabody Award winner and Sports Emmy winner, recognized for her feature storytelling across sports.
Savannah Guthrie withdrew to be with her family during the ongoing search for her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who was kidnapped from her Tucson home. In a statement, Molly Solomon expressed, “Our hearts go out to Savannah and the entire Guthrie family. They continue to have our full support.” The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI are actively investigating the case.
The network is underscoring continuity and experience with the change. Carillo’s wide Olympic experience and Terry Gannon’s established role are intended to ensure smooth coverage. Ahmed Fareed’s addition to late-night segments highlights NBC’s strategy of leaning on experienced, adaptable broadcasters for its Olympic coverage.
