Two days from now, the sports world will light up in the City of Lights as the 2024 Paris Olympics commence! From the Team USA side, over 590 athletes are expected to participate in the international tournament. To call out the respective games and keep viewers from around the world engaged, NBC is reportedly making use of more than 150 commentators. From basketball and women’s soccer to swimming and gymnastics, a star-filled crew will be watching the games live and sharing their viewpoints as the national team, with over 1,077 gold medals to their name, looks to add more.

One of the most highly anticipated sports on the docket will be the men’s basketball tournament. Including veterans like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and other star athletes, the Team USA roster has been formed in a manner that leaves little doubt they will secure their fifth consecutive gold medal. Basketball fans viewing from their television screens will undoubtedly be in for a treat, as the voice calling out the games will be that of former Miami Heat legend and Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade. Alongside him will be 58-year-old Bob Fitzgerald, the charismatic individual who has served as the play-by-play announcer for the Golden State Warriors for 27 years.

Dwyane Wade’s presence has been confirmed since late May. In an interview with USA Today Sports, NBC Olympics executive producer and president Molly Solomon revealed that the former NBA player was just one of the new voices she wanted to add to the commentators’ box. The fact that he does not have too much experience with game-calling does not bother the 55-year-old too much.

“He’s so thoughtful, and of course, has experience with so many members of the team,” said Solomon. “So, I think there’ll be a lot of personal storytelling”. Given that the Team USA roster comprises seven players above the age of 30, including Wade’s former teammate LeBron James, most of them have had the pleasure of playing alongside or against the Heat legend.

Dominating on the basketball court and analyzing the play of other players are two different things. However, for the 42-year-old, this is a welcoming challenge. During an interview with ‘TODAY,’ Dwyane Wade discussed his new role and stated, “I think I’m going to be a little nervous, definitely. But ultimately, everyone keeps saying the same thing. They keep telling me, ‘Just be myself’ and ‘I know the game of basketball.’”

Any gap or inexperience that Wade brings with him will be easily covered by Fitzgerald. After all, along with his coverage of the Warriors, the commentator also covered swimming during the 1996 Atlanta Games, water polo at Beijing in 2008, and basketball at the 2012 London and 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Furthermore, the task of assisting Fitzgerald with the play-by-play commentary on the team’s performance will be handled by 26-year-old Noah Eagle. Being the son of longtime sports announcer Ian Eagle, and having worked on the coverage of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, who better to have on your side?

Calling out both the men’s and women’s basketball games will be a huge load. Therefore, the former player and his two partners will not be the only ones present. NBC has also enlisted the help of longtime ESPN analyst LaChina Robinson, who will mark her third Olympic Games. Zora Stephenson and Kerith Burke will be present on the reporting side.

Who will head the Opening Ceremony for the 2024 Paris Olympics?

The men’s and women’s basketball tournaments are just one part of the 16-day event that will host over 32 sports. Before the games commence, however, a grand opening ceremony will introduce the athletes and set the stage for the weeks of nail-biting competitions ahead. If one thought that the commentators calling out the basketball games are stellar, then they better hold on to their seats upon learning who will be hosting the opening ceremony.

According to reports, two-time Grammy Award winner and television host Kelly Clarkson will host her first-ever Olympic Broadcast alongside Mike Tirico, the NBC sportscaster who has worked on four other Olympics assignments and appeared three times as the television host for the games. Clarkson will not be Tirico’s only sidekick, as alongside the duo will also be Hall of Famer and two-time Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning. The announcement was made back in March during Jimmy Fallon’s show, who ironically would announce a day later that he would be hosting the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics.

The iconic cast of the ‘TODAY’ show will also be heading to Paris. As the games are declared open, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb will be positioned on a bridge close to the River Seine, which will host the parade of boats carrying the athletes. As part of her third Olympic assignment, sports reporter Mariah Taylor will be conducting live coverage from Team USA’s boat, possibly getting the chance to interview some of the athletes herself.

Saving the best for last, Snoop Dogg is expected to be in the house! The renowned rapper and music artist had earlier provided commentary alongside Kevin Hart on highlights of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Now, he is set to be on-site in the City of Lights and host the ‘Primetime in Paris’ show for NBC. Along with being a prominent part of the coverage of the Opening Ceremony, Snoop Dogg will also help viewers feast a little better on the Paris Olympics by exploring the city’s iconic landmarks, attending the gaming events, and interviewing the athletes and their friends and families. Furthermore, the 52-year-old will make the games more memorable by carrying the Olympic torch through the roads of Saint-Denis, right where the Stade de France Olympic Stadium is situated.

The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics is scheduled to take place on the 26th of July at around 19:30 CEST (Central European Summer Time). With a star-studded field of commentators giving updates on the first-ever event of such kind to be held outside a stadium, the only thing that will end up topping it is the Games itself.

Before leaving, be sure to check out the pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show”, featuring an exclusive interview with University of Georgia guard Silas Demary Jr.