14 DAY TRIAL // Bob Costas has been the NBC anchor for the Olympic games for several editions in a row, but he will have to sit the Sochi one out, at least for a while. The eye infection that amused the Internet so much has spread to both his eyes, and he will be stepping down.
Coverage will be handled by Matt Lauer until Costas is back, Variety reports. The anchor made the announcement himself this morning.
“Reluctantly, I was trying to throw a complete game here, but I think we’re going to have to go to the bullpen, and I don’t know if you’re aware of this or not, but you’re Mariano Rivera, at least tonight. Let’s hope it’s only tonight. I’m walking around, I might as well be playing ‘Marco Polo.’ I have no idea where I am,” Costas told Lauer over the phone, about the need to replace him.
Costas started the coverage wearing glassed, though he normally doesn’t sport a pair. Viewers noticed that both his eyes were red and that his left one was so swollen it was twice as small as the right one.
Though the NBC anchor was determined to swing it, despite the hilarity and the memes his red eye generated online, the infection is working against him.