The worst eye infection in Olympic history will keep Bob Costas off the air for a third straight night Thursday.
NBC Sports chairman Mark Lazarus said yesterday Costas is receiving treatment and is remaining in a dark hotel room since his eyes are sensitive to light. Forgive me for saying this, Bob, but I’m sure Costas’ critics take great delight in the notion of him sitting in a dark room in Russia.
Yesterday, Lazarus spoke about the situation:
“Bob Costas’ eye problems have been very unfortunate for him and for us and for viewers. The doctors here in Russia have worked hard to clear it up but it’s a slow process. He’s very frustrated – more frustrated than any of us. But he did a great job in the early days of planning here and we’re thankful to have NBC News here to assist us by loaning us Matt Lauer, who pinch-hit for Bob last night and will again tonight. We’re taking it day by day and we’re hopeful that Bob will be back in the chair soon.”
Later, Lazarus spoke about the attention Costas’ eye problems are receiving in the U.S.
“I’m not surprised it’s attracted this much attention. Bob is America’s Olympic host and people have been watching Bob do this and do it extraordinarily well for several decades. So in a way, they’ve come to expect him being here and when he’s not it’s a story.
“So, it’s unfortunate, and as I said earlier, no one is more frustrated or bothered by it than him. Not just the physical, but the fact that he’s not part of something he loves so much and that he does so well.”