Legendary American Olympics broadcaster announces he'll retire after LA 2028 games
- READ MORE: Swimmers reveal 'cure' to fighting infections in polluted Seine
- READ MORE: Michael Phelps hits out at Team USA after poor men's performance
The man considered the voice of American swimming will be officially putting down the microphone after the next summer Olympic games.
Rowdy Gaines, a three-time gold medalist and a longtime Olympic commentator, announced via an Instagram post that the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles will be his last.
He announced this on Wednesday with a funny meme which featured American 'pommel horse specialist' Stephen Nedoroscik napping and the caption, 'pictured: rowdy gaines for the next 3 years, 11 months until his country calls on him again'.
"I'm still here!," Gaines wrote on his Instagram. "Don't forget to watch Open Water swimming starting on 8/8-8/9 with the amazing Mary Carillo on @peacock !
'And yes, @la28games will be my last, so please continue to support swimming with Worlds, NCAA, Nationals, and so so so much more! Cause after 2028, I'm riding off into the sunset of full time grandparent!'
Rowdy Gaines, the voice of swimming in the US, says the 2028 Olympics will be his last
Gaines has called swimming for NBC at every Summer Olympic Games since Atlanta in 1996
This will be a massive blow for swimming fans and casual American Olympics viewers alike.
Gaines was known for bringing an infectious and excited energy to Olympic broadcasts - seemingly making any race a close one.
But choosing Los Angeles as the games to retire at is an interesting full-circle moment for Gaines - who won his three gold medals at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Gaines began broadcasting swimming at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta and has commentated on the sport at each Olympics since.
He's a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame as well as the US Olympic Hall of Fame.
