2023 WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
- July 23 to 30, 2023
- Fukuoka, Japan
- Marine Messe Fukuoka
- LCM (50m)
- Meet Central
- SwimSwam Preview Index
We sat down with Kira K. Dixon, who in simple terms, interviewed every US athlete right after they made the 2023 world championships team for NBC. Kira gives us her perspective on reporting for swimming vs golf (her normal day-to-day), winning Miss America, and the lifestyle of working in media.
Gold Medal Minute Presentations?
Douglass, Kate (200 IM, 100 FR, 200 BR)
King, Lilly (50 BR, 100 BR, 200 BR)
Ledecky, Katie (400 FR, 800 FR, 1500 FR)
Smith, Regan (50 BK, 100 BK, 200 BK, 200 FL)
What do you think?
SwimSwam, we need an interview with Jason Knapp. How did he land the role as the defacto play by play voice of USA Swimming (except Olympic Trials and Olympics)? I’d love to learn more about his background and career as a play by play announcer.
Speaking of interview questions, and also about Coleman Hodges, this is what I’d ask him:
“Coleman, you’ve got one of the best ‘hair games’ in the business. You had a man-bun when you interviewed Simone Manuel, a three-day beard for Bob Bowman, and long flowing locks for your session with Leon Marchand. My question is: how do you select your hair style for each particular interview?”
Rumor has it he has a custom-made magic 8ball that makes the decision for him.
Wait!!! Wasn’t this comment from relay names guy before? Did you change your name? To this?!?!?!
You’re never gonna get anything really special from an on deck reporter, but Kira does a more than adequate job in the role. Glad to hear that she’s going to Fukuoka for NBC Sports.
I’m curious to see what NBC Sports thinks of her. Is she in the Jason Knapp role, fine for the “less important” meets in non-Olympic years, but they want someone more “big time” (Mike Tirico/Dan Hicks) for Olympic Trials and Olympics? Or does she land the coveted role next summer?
Fortunately Michele Tafoya is gone. She’s been the Olympic year poolside interviewer. I suspect Kira will get the gig unless NBC decides to use Melissa Stark. That may be a big possibility. NBC loves to reward its high profile football personnel with lead roles at the Olympics. Stark replaced Tafoya as sideline reporter on Sunday Night Football.
We’ll know next year at trials. Whoever gets that spot will do the Olympics also.
GYATTTTTTT DAM 🦫
i wouldn’t ask a thing. I just say ‘tell me any thoughts you have right now’ and let them just have a stream of consciousness moment.
NBC does a good job with track and field with Lewis Johnson. He has tons of experience and was a track athlete.
I thought she did very well at trials. She is not a former elite swimmer who already knows a lot of the competitors on a personal basis and she is still learning the sport. Give her time to figure out the sport and create relationships.
Wrdgaf
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