“It’s a weird feeling when you’re in the medical tent way more than any of the athletes,” Colin Jost told NBC Olympics host Maria Taylor last week.
The Weekend Update anchor had taken up the unique mantle of “Olympics Surfing Correspondent” for NBC’s coverage of the competition, which is taking place in Tahiti. Part of Jost’s reporting included self-deprecating descriptions of his own surfing skills and his litany of related ailments, many of which are common for surfers in the tropics.
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First he cut his foot on the reef, then he got a staph infection, and then he got an ear infection. Thus, the banter with Taylor.
He later told NBC Olympics grandmaster Mike Tirico, “My new goal is to have as many infections as there are Olympic Events.”
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And now, with the 2024 Olympic Surfing Semifinals and Finals delayed (due to small surf) until today, Jost has left Tahiti. NBC has replaced him with Luke Bradnam, a weatherman from Channel Nine in Australia.
Deadline understands that Jost’s stint was always supposed to be a short-term thing. It’s unclear whether Jost will rejoin NBC’s coverage in Paris — or parts unknown. (Editor’s Note: American Caroline Marks took Gold in the Women’s Final.)
Jost himself updated viewers on Instagram today writing in part, “Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. Semis and finals of Olympic surfing happening right now in Tahiti.”
The message accompanied a pre-taped Man-on-the-street video investigating the local “wall of skulls” at Teahupo’o, the heavy, mutant surf break where the competition is being held. “Wall of skulls” is one translation for “Teahupo’o.” It’s also the name of a local display — which Jost visited — once meant as a warning to thieves who would steal locals’ belongings.