Miguel Gurwitz Discusses Telemundo’s Olympics Coverage

The 2024 Paris Olympics will see Telemundo deploying its largest-ever talent roster for the Games, featuring over 40 commentators. Their Spanish-language coverage has been a standout, thanks in part to host Miguel Gurwitz.

Gurwitz, a key host alongside Jessica Carillo, has been covering the Olympics since 2000. He recently shared with AA what distinguishes Telemundo’s coverage, emphasizing the passion that resonates with their viewers.

“I think when we talk about Hispanics, we talk about passion, right?” he explained. “We’re really passionate about sports. It’s not just soccer; we’re passionate about every sport. It’s ingrained in our culture. We have a lot of passion for sports, and that’s evident in how we experience every Olympic discipline.”

This passion is evident in every aspect of their coverage, from Andrés Cantor’s iconic “GOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!” calls to the detailed event coverage and engaging evening shows. Gurwitz highlighted his partnership with Carillo, known for her work on Telemundo’s Al Rojo Vivo and their previous collaboration at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Carillo brings a unique ability to connect with viewers, including those who might not be traditional sports fans.

“Jessica is a great partner,” Gurwitz said. “The Olympics is a family event. If someone doesn’t enjoy soccer, they might like swimming or volleyball or basketball. It’s a rich buffet of sports. And knowing it’s more than just sports, Jessica adds tremendous value to our broadcasts. It’s an honor to work with her.”

Another notable figure in Telemundo’s roster for these Games is Jessi Losado, returning as a special guest host. Losado was the lead host for Telemundo’s first Olympic broadcast in 2002, and Gurwitz expressed his excitement about Losado’s involvement.

“It means a lot,” Gurwitz said. “When you talk about the Olympics and Telemundo, you need to mention Jessi Losado. He’s like a maestro to all of us, an institution not just for Telemundo but for Hispanics everywhere. It’s an honor and a privilege to have him with us again.”

Having covered the Olympics for decades, Gurwitz has witnessed significant changes, particularly in technology.

“You need to adapt to new times,” he noted. “When I started, we had maybe 85 monitors in the studio. Now, you can access everything on your phone. It’s helpful, but it’s crazy. Adaptation is important.”

Gurwitz emphasized the importance of being able to react to unexpected stories.

“I always say: expect nothing. Allow yourself to be surprised, and you’ll find surprises in every single game.”

Telemundo’s coverage extends beyond athletes from just the U.S., including competitors from various Hispanic countries. Their analyst lineup boasts athletes from Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and more. Gurwitz enjoys this broad focus but acknowledges it comes with challenges.

“It’s a great opportunity and responsibility because you need to cater to all these markets. It’s not just the U.S. or Mexico—there’s Colombia, Cuba, Argentina, Brazil, and Spain. Everything happens so quickly at the Olympics, so you must make smart decisions to deliver content that meets everyone’s expectations.

“We’re trying to satisfy maybe 10 or 15 markets, from Honduras and El Salvador and beyond. It’s challenging, especially for our production team.”

Despite the challenges, Gurwitz is thrilled to be part of Telemundo’s Olympics coverage again. He approaches each Games with a high level of intensity and aims to make every one the best possible.

“It’s not about how many Olympics you have in your curriculum,” he stated. “It’s about the next Olympics.”

Source: Awful Announcing