Bob Costas is still recovering from an eye infection that is sidelining him as anchor of NBC’s Winter Olympics coverage for a second night, the sportscaster said during a phone call with the “Today Show” on Wednesday morning.
Matt Lauer, host of the morning program, will replace Costas as anchor on Wednesday.
Also read: Matt Lauer Filling In for Bob Costas During NBC Olympic Coverage
“Actually, I don’t feel that bad,” Costas said. “And the irony of it is, we’ve all felt worse than I feel right now and gone into work…I’ve done lots of ball games and events feel much less than my best, but in this case it’s just involuntary. My eyes are so blurry and watery and so light-sensitive that even in dim light they’re tearing up.”
“It’s just not possible to be in the studio,” Costas said, telling Lauer, “You’re coming out of the bullpen again tonight.”
Also read: Olympics 2014: Bob Costas Eye Infection Gets NBC Coverage Off to Squinty Start
Late Tuesday night, NBC’s Olympic Executive Producer Jim Bell sent out an email that suggested Costas could be out the rest of the games and that other news personalities could substitute for the sports announcer.
“Costas is under constant medical supervision by our amazing team of medical experts here in Sochi,” Bell wrote. “At this point it is not yet clear whether or not Mr. Costas will be able to be back on the air in (time) for the end of the games. Matt Lauer will be filling in for Bob in the interim. Also expect to see many more NBC Sports anchors on air in the coming days to fill for Bob.”