PARIS, France (WAVY) — Lester Holt spoke with Nexstar Media’s Marielena Balouris of WAVY in Norfolk, VA and shared insights on the Paris Olympics. He emphasized the fun of returning to a traditional Olympic atmosphere after COVID, the excitement among fans, and memorable moments like his chat with Snoop Dogg.
Marielena Balouris: Hi, everybody, Marielena Balouris here in Paris. I am joined by Lester Holt tonight. Lester, this is your 11th Olympics. The last two obviously had a lot of COVID pandemic related restrictions. What are you seeing this games that’s making it special and unique?
Lester Holt: This feels like what I remember covering Olympics, where it’s all about the sports and people having fun and incredible achievements and not having to worry about getting your mouth swabbed or, you know, if you have a tickle in your throat. People did what they had to do during those times. These games now feel like a return to the old. And I say that in a good way. It’s also, you know, nice having it in Europe, in Paris specifically this year. This is a place that Americans love. And so, you know, we’re trying to give them as much of a taste of the city as we can, along with, of course, the sports.
Marielena Balouris: Absolutely. It’s a beautiful backdrop for an Olympic Games. And, in a world where there seems to be always a tragic story that we as journalists have to cover, the Olympics is something that brings everybody together. What are you seeing in terms of that unification of the world in this moment?
Lester Holt: Well, you’re seeing a lot of it playing out in social media. I mean, there’s genuine excitement about these games, and I’m not here to, you know, to promote the games specifically. But I mean, it’s undeniable what we’re seeing in terms of the interest online, in front of TV, and people just coming here. You probably have experienced it, too. There are a lot of Americans here who came specifically for these games. And Paris has done a terrific job putting the welcome mat out.
Marielena Balouris: It’s been absolutely incredible. And to your point, the Team USA fans have been unbelievable. So much energy. I would love to know if there is a moment or a story that you have witnessed or encountered here that has been special so far that stuck out.
Lester Holt: A couple. I spent the day with Snoop Dogg, who has become a breakout star at these games, not for his sports, but for his interest in sports at these games. And I’m going to give a promo. We’ll be doing that tonight on Nightly News. I think in terms of stories I’ve done, I covered the U.S. women’s rugby team after that incredible finish the other day. They were really cute. The young lady that kicked the winning goal didn’t even realize they had won. It’s just, I love the enthusiasm when they come on. They just had this incredible achievement and they’re so excited, and they’re sharing it with the world.
Marielena Balouris: Yeah, so many amazing moments. And another hallmark of Paris, I think, is how they’re using these monuments and these existing buildings to stage the games. Is there a venue that has impressed you or a location that you’ve loved?
Lester Holt: Well, you know, this is a beautiful backdrop. This is what you see on NBC’s sports coverage. For the news side, we’re doing Nightly News from a rooftop near the Arc de Triomphe, and we’re right up along it, in front of it actually, and the lights on it. Beautiful shot every night. And I look at that and think, Wow, I’m in Paris.
Marielena Balouris: Yeah, [there’s] certainly many pinch-me moments. Lester, thank you so much for your time. We appreciate your insight as well.
