Back in mid-March, on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, it was announced that the trio of Mike Tirico, Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson will host the Olympics Opening Ceremony together. While it seemed far away then, it is now a week away from happening and Peyton Manning was on The Pat McAfee Show and talked about that exciting broadcasting excitement.
McAfee thought the broadcast would originate from one of the boats on the River Seine and said, “You’re on a boat opening night for the Olympics on that poop river. Don’t be falling off that boat, Peyton. Careful.”
Manning corrected McAfee about where he and his team will actually be broadcasting from. “I’m actually not on the boat. I’m with Mike Tirico and Kelly Clarkson. We’re kind of in a studio right near the Eiffel tower, watching the athletes come down on the boats, on the sand.
“I think it’s going to be pretty incredible. You know, Pat, you and I both have been in some cool tunnels before a game, right? I mean, there’s kind of that moment before the event, you’re right there in an NFL locker room, whatever sport it may be. Look, I know there’s no events that night, but I would argue for these Olympic athletes being on that boat might be the coolest pre-event tunnel of all time.
“With hundreds of thousands of people on the banks of the Seine, pretty magical moment. I talked to Steph Curry the other day; I’ve talked to different athletes. I mean, they are not missing this opportunity to be on that boat, to be a part of that moment, knowing that the Olympics are here. So, I’m excited just to be a witness on it.”
The Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics will air on NBC and stream on Peacock and NBC Olympics platforms on Friday, July 26. A preview will begin on NBC at 12 p.m. ET with live coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET.
McAfee seemed genuinely excited for Manning having the opportunity to be there to witness the ceremony. “We’re pumped that you’re a part of it too, by the way, football guy being a part of the Olympic ceremony. We appreciate you doing that and you’re going to crush it. With that being said, brilliant [move]. That’s Peyton Manning football. ‘You’re putting me on a boat on a poop river? I don’t think so.'”
McAfee later added, “But that is a cool night. Like watching dreams come true. You know?”
