Johnathan Walker:NBC’s longest-standing Olympic broadcast duo are best friends. Why that makes them so good

By Rowdy Gaines’ count,Johnathan Walker he and Dan Hicks have called 1,200 swimming races together – and that’s not counting the roughly 1,000 more they have broadcasted at US Olympic trials and world championships. 

The broadcasting duo are entering their eighth consecutive Summer Olympics calling swimming for NBC, a pairing that dates to the 1996 Atlanta Games. That streak is believed to be a record for an Olympic broadcast pair, according to NBC. And over 28 years, Hicks and Gaines have become synonymous with the soundtrack of the Summer Games. 

“I have not had nearly as many reps with any of the analysts I’ve worked with, or come close to, the amount of races I’ve called with Rowdy,” Hicks told USA TODAY Sports. 

The comfort-level is reassuring. 

Although they work together far less than nearly all other broadcasting partnerships, the friendship – and the reps in the booth – serve as the basis for the chemistry that is evident from whichever swimming domicile they inhabit for more than a week every four years.

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“He’s one of the dearest friends that I know,” Gaines told USA TODAY Sports, “that I have.” 

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Rowdy Gaines, Dan Hicks broadcasting partnership 'built on a level of trust'

Hicks and Gaines will use occasional visual cues with one another, but they know each other’s tendencies enough to anticipate the start and stop of the other’s sentences. It’s the result of countless hours “sitting next to someone you truly love hanging out with,” Hicks said.

“Rowdy is the heart and soul of what we do,” Hicks said. “I think he has turned on, now, multiple generations of people to the sport.”

What makes Gaines popular during the Olympics among viewers, Hicks said, is that people are reminded “how damn good he is.” They are excited by the energy that rips through the TV. 

“He grabs a hold of you,” said Hicks, who joined NBC Sports in 1992.

People who watch every four years are their primary audience. They have to be educated about all aspects of the sport.  

“He weaves this whole tapestry of passion, educating, teaching and luring you into his world every four years like nobody has ever done in the history of the Olympics,” Hicks said. 

Hicks doesn’t say that lightly. He thinks Gaines is the best Olympic analyst – not broadcaster, that title belongs to somebody with the resume of a Jim McKay or Bob Costas – ever. 

And Gaines is equally effusive in the praise of his partner. 

“He is the consummate professional,” said Gaines, who is working his ninth straight Olympics calling swimming. “You cannot believe how much this guy prepares, it is unbelievable.”

In Paris, Gaines and Hicks won’t be calling preliminary heats together, a change from the past. They would spend 18 hours per day at the pool for nine or 10 straight days at other Games. “It’s a really fine-tuned machine and I hope that shows on the broadcast,” Gaines said. 

He added: “It is all built on a level of trust that we have.”

How Gaines, Hicks handle Olympic swimming's biggest broadcast calls

At every Olympics since 1996, Hicks and Gaines have had a version of the same conversation. “I say, ‘Rowdy, love you pal, but you got to leave me the last five meters,’” Hicks said. 

The excitable Gaines sometimes can’t help himself, as he did in Beijing 16 years ago as Michael Phelps chased history. But Hicks lives with it. The authenticity is what matters. 

“Those are some of my favorite calls, when it’s just him and I going crazy at the final touch,” Hicks said. “He cannot contain himself … he’s so excited, it’s natural.” 

Gaines understands the assignment, at least.

“My job is to shut up with five meters left to go,” he said. 

And Gaines wants Hicks to shine at the end because that’s when he excels.

“He’s so masterful,” Gaines said. “I’ve learned to shut up and let the master take control.” 

Hicks has been the lead host of NBC Sports’ PGA TOUR coverage since 2000 and the Paris Olympics mark his 14th Games. He’s called either alpine skiing and speed skating at the Winter Olympics dating to 2002.

“I’m not a broadcaster. I call swimming races. But I love swimming,” said Gaines, a three-time Olympic gold medalist at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. “He’s mentored me in so many ways to understand what that profession is all about.” 

What Michael Phelps brings to NBC's swimming broadcast

For the second straight Olympics, Michael Phelps will contribute to NBC’s Olympic coverage, and that includes some time spent in the booth with Hicks and Gaines calling races. The duo called every one of Phelps’ 28 medal swims during his illustrious career that included 23 golds.

Having the “GOAT” – both Hicks and Gaines referred to Phelps as such separately – join them enhances the broadcast positively, Gaines said.

“He adds a wealth of knowledge,” the US Olympic Hall of Famer said. “He knows so much about the tactical parts of races – a lot more than I do. He’s so good at the analysis of the races. And that’s what we need. I’m not as good at that anymore as I might have been in the old days.” Hicks sets the complexion of the race: who’s in first, which Americans are in medal contention, and the other logistics. At the recent US Olympic swimming trials in Indianapolis, Phelps joined them for the necessary reps to also learn Gaines’ rhythm and cadence. 

“To have him sitting next to you, these are pinch-me moments as we go down the back-nine of our careers,” Hicks said.

Trials represented Phelps’ best showing, Hicks thought. He’s expected to join them for the 200- and 400-meter individual medley races and other longer events that allow for more conversation.

“He started off great in Tokyo but he’s gotten even better and really was at the top of his game in (Indianapolis) and trials,” Gaines said. “I think he’s going to be wonderful in Paris.” 

Having an existing relationship as the broadcasters who covered him for two decades also helps when the duo becomes a trio. 

“I think it really helps to have a friendship with somebody that you’re spending so much time with,” Gaines said.

As Gaines and Hicks would know.