Olympic Swimming Commentator Rowdy Gaines Announces Retirement

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For many American fans, NBC commentator Rowdy Gaines is the one thing that they most associate with watching Olympic swimming.

But after the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, that will no longer be the case as Gaines announced his intent to retire on Wednesday.

Gaines, 65, shared a message on his Instagram announcing his intent for 2028 to be his final Olympics on the call for NBC.

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Rowdy Gaines Shares News Of Retirement In Instagram Post

“I’m still here! Don’t forget to watch Open Water swimming starting on 8/8-8/9 with the amazing Mary Carillo on @peacock ! And yes, @la28games will be my last, so please continue to support swimming with Worlds, NCAA, Nationals, and so so so much more! Cause after 2028, I’m riding off into the sunset of full time grandparent!,” he posted.

Team USA has provided with fans with a seemingly unending list of memories in the pool in the last three decades. From Michael Phelps, to Jason Lizak, Katie Ledecky and Dara Torres.

But none of them would have been as special with Gaines’ trademark analysis and enthusiasm.

It’s honestly difficult to imagine watching swimming at the Olympics without hearing his voice. But it’s cool to see him get a chance to step away and enjoy the events as a fan.

The Florida native is a three-time Olympics gold medalist in his own right, having won the 100-meter freestyle in 1984 in LA as well as both 4 x 100-meter relays. So, in a sense, things will come full circle for him when he retires in 2028.

“Forty years later, I remember every single detail of what that moment was like,” Gaines told USA Today in July about his individual triumph.

“I was hanging on by the skin of my teeth,” he said. “It felt a little awkward because I was the oldest guy on the team. But I also felt a tremendous sense of peace because I was really proud of the journey I had taken.”

Thankfully, Rowdy got his moment. And he gave us more than his fair share of incredible ones on the call as well.