Savannah Guthrie's Heartfelt Absence Marks 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony commenced with a notable void as beloved television presenter Savannah Guthrie was absent from the broadcast. Guthrie made the difficult decision to prioritize her family following the distressing disappearance of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, from her residence near Tucson, Arizona.
Broadcasters Pay Emotional Tributes to Missing Colleague
Hosts Terry Gannon and Mary Carillo led the coverage from Milan's iconic San Siro Stadium, where they opened the February 6 broadcast with heartfelt acknowledgments of their missing colleague. Terry Gannon somberly noted, "We're definitely missing a crucial and cherished member of our team tonight. She is greatly missed by everyone."
Mary Carillo, stepping in for her 17th Olympic assignment, added emotional depth to the tribute: "She's covered many Olympics, hasn't she? And she loves them. Right now, of course, Savannah Guthrie and her family are undergoing unimaginable pain. We are aware that her extended family is vast. Savannah, my friend, we feel the same way here."
Gannon continued the emotional support, stating, "We send our love and our prayers and all of our positive energy to Savannah tonight. She did you right and always loved Olympics and opening ceremonies. And especially the athletes of Team USA make that walk." This poignant moment highlighted the broadcast team's solidarity as the ceremony celebrated athletes from over ninety nations.
The Disturbing Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie
The circumstances surrounding Nancy Guthrie's disappearance have raised serious concerns. The 84-year-old was last seen at her Tucson-area home around 9:45 p.m. on January 31, 2026. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos made a significant announcement on February 2, revealing that authorities were treating the residence as a crime scene.
Sheriff Nanos provided crucial details about Nancy Guthrie's condition, noting she requires medication and has physical limitations but maintains full cognitive awareness. "We know she didn't just walk away from there; we can assert that," Sheriff Nanos stated definitively, indicating the seriousness of the investigation.
Savannah Guthrie had already missed broadcasts on February 2 and 3, choosing to remain in Arizona to participate in the search efforts. On her Instagram account, she shared a moving message: "We are in prayer. We believe in voices raised in song, love, and hope. We believe in goodness. We believe in humanity. Above all, we believe in Him."
Olympic Coverage Adjustments and Professional Impact
NBC Sports officially confirmed Savannah Guthrie's withdrawal from Olympic coverage on February 3. A network spokesperson stated, "Savannah Guthrie will not be joining us at the Olympics as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time. Our hearts are with her and the entire Guthrie family as the search continues for their mother. We will share additional information about our Opening Ceremony coverage plans soon."
This absence represents a significant professional moment for Guthrie, who was scheduled to co-host her fourth Olympic Games alongside Terry Gannon and snowboarding legend Shaun White. In September 2025, she had expressed her excitement about the assignment: "I couldn't be more thrilled to host the Opening Ceremony alongside the incomparable Terry Gannon and snowboarding legend Shaun White. It's such an honor to celebrate the world's best athletes and introduce the magic and wonder of the Winter Games and northern Italy to viewers at home."
The 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony thus became a bittersweet celebration, honoring athletic achievement while acknowledging the personal crisis affecting one of broadcasting's most familiar faces. The broadcast team's compassionate handling of Guthrie's absence demonstrated the human connections that transcend even the grandest global sporting events.
