“Gang is Together Again”: Michael Phelps Reunites With Swimming Icons at Paris Olympics Trials After Two Decades

Remember August 14, 2004? That’s the day when Michael Phelps won his first Olympic gold. The young American with an extra long torso and flipper-like feet dominated six out of the eight events he competed at the Athens Games. While he returned with six golds and two bronzes, in the meantime, NBC Sports developed two of the most iconic voices: Rowdy Gaines and Dan Hicks.

“HE DID IT! HE DID IT!“ Hicks uttered in happiness seeing Jason Lezak. “Phelps’s hope’s alive,“ Gaines said on air with excitement after Team USA won the 4×100 m medley at the 2008 Beijing Games. It seemed like the trio was made for each other. While the Baltimore Bullet swam across the pool, the two NBC commentators did justice with their words. And now, after two decades, they are back together from where it all started – the Olympics.

On June 23, NBC Sports broadcaster Melissa Stark shared a picture on her Instagram story. “20 years later – the gang is together again,“ wrote Stark in the picture featuring Phelps, Rowdy Gaines, Dan Hicks, and a few others. It was overwhelming to see some of the renowned faces of the sports industry together.

Just a month back, Phelps was announced to be part of the NBCUniversal’s coverage team for the upcoming Paris Games. He is also joined by his former teammate Jason Lezak and Cullen Jones. What’s more fascinating is that he will share the commentary booth for selected swimming events with Dan Hicks and Rowdy Gaines. Fans may wonder if this is the first time the Baltimore Express will take up the mantle of sportscaster but Phelps has had quite an experience previously as a commentator and analyst!

Michael Phelps joined NBC Sports in the 2021 Tokyo Games

The Baltimore Express may have retired from the sport, but he still finds some way to be back at the Olympics. In 2021, he joined NBC Sports as their prime-time commentator for the 2021 Olympics – a similar role to what Gaines had back in the 2004 Athens Games. He shared the commentary box with Hicks and Gaines and fans just loved their on-air chemistry.

Although the executive producer Molly Solomon praised Michael Phelps a lot, he did not return to the role until 2024. This time around, he will give his voice for both primetime and daytime shows on NBC and Peacock. Will you listen to the most decorated Olympian of all time’s voice on NBC Coverage?