Craig Melvin Steps Back from Olympic Coverage as Search for Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Continues

Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin on Today.
Credit:

Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Craig Melvin will not travel to Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics due to the ongoing search for Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, NBC announced on February 4.
• Ahmed Fareed will replace Melvin as the host of Olympic Late Night, and Mary Carillo will join Terry Gannon for the Opening Ceremony coverage instead of Guthrie.
• Nancy remains missing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.

Craig Melvin will not be attending the Winter Olympics in Milan as the search continues for Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, as confirmed by NBC.

Guthrie, co-host of the Today show, will remain stateside instead of participating in the network’s on-site coverage, according to an announcement made on February 4.

Melvin was initially scheduled to host Olympic Late Night from Milan from February 7 to February 9.

Ahmed Fareed, who was already set to serve as a daytime host during a portion of the Games, will now take Melvin’s place for Olympic Late Night.

Savannah Guthrie and her mother, Nancy Guthrie, on the ‘Today’ set in 2023.

Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

This change comes amid the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie. Melvin discussed the situation on Monday’s broadcast. “We want to get right to what is a deeply personal story for us,” he stated. “Nancy Guthrie, Savannah’s beloved mother, has been reported missing in Arizona.”

On Wednesday, Melvin shared that the Guthrie family has received widespread support during this challenging time. “Over the last few days, people have come out of the woodwork,” he noted, adding that many have offered prayers for the family, which he emphasized are messages “Savannah and the family need to hear.”

Reflecting on the situation, Melvin noted, “My pastor used to say, it’s easy to be faithful when things are going well in your life. The God of the mountain is the God of the valley.”

The day before NBC confirmed Melvin’s change in plans, it became evident that Guthrie would also be absent from the Olympics, where she was scheduled to co-host the opening ceremony and provide live updates from the Today show set in Milan.

Mary Carillo has been announced as her replacement and will join Terry Gannon to cover the Opening Ceremony in Milan.

Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin on Today.

Nathan Congleton/NBC/Getty

In a statement, Molly Solomon, executive producer and president of NBC Olympics Production, expressed support for the Guthrie family: “Our hearts go out to Savannah and the entire Guthrie family. They continue to have our full support.”

As the search for Nancy continues, authorities report that there are currently no suspects. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated in an interview, “We have nothing else to go on but the belief that she is here. She’s present. She’s alive, and we want to save her.”

Anyone with potential information regarding Nancy Guthrie is encouraged to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.