Hello Olympic fans, Our KPRC 2 team is writing to let you know that if you missed the Opening Ceremony of the Games when it happened live this morning, you’ll have another shot to see all the big moments TONIGHT on our air. The NBC primetime broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m. and competition kicks off in several sports not long after.
The evening Opening Ceremony broadcast will feature award-winning journalist and co-anchor of TODAY Savannah Guthrie along with NBC Olympics’ primetime host Mike Tirico.
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The program will also showcase:
- Performances, pageantry and the Parade of Athletes
- Extensive coverage of Team USA, including athlete interviews with NBC Olympics’ track & field reporter Lewis Johnson and swimming reporter Michele Tafoya
- Dwayne Johnson introducing Team USA
- Leslie Odom Jr. telling the story of the hopes and dreams of Olympians, in an opening vignette
- Uma Thurman narrating a special feature, leading into the Parade of Athletes
If you want to see highlights of the big ceremony in Tokyo, you can also check out the video HERE.
Despite a possible weak typhoon targeting Tokyo in a couple days and the growing concern about Covid-19, if our Texas athletes can stay healthy and dry, they are bound to make a mark at the Games and that’s why Team KPRC is excited to be there covering their hard work and achievements.
Since Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of Houston, competition is getting underway this evening... which is already Saturday in Japan.
On the schedule tonight at 8:25 p.m. (Houston time) is Kelley Hurley, a Houstonian and returning Olympian who will be competing against a fencer from Estonia in Women’s Individual Epee. Her sister Courtney competes 30 minutes later in the same event against an athlete from China. (Fencing events will be online and viewable by logging in with a cable provider.)
Houstonian Lawson Craddock is a cyclist we’ve been watching. The men’s road race begins at 9:00 p.m. and is one of the first events where medals will be awarded. It can be viewed on the USA TV Channel.
Team USA Softball plays Mexico overnight. Pitching greats with Texas ties Cat Osterman & Monica Abbott have already secured two wins for the team. The powerhouse softball squad looks to pick up their third win this evening. The game will be on NBCSN at 1:10 a.m. Houston time.
While there are no direct Texas connections to Team USA men’s gymnastics, a lot of attention will be on the guys Saturday morning when they get their first chance to show the world their talent. Their competition can be viewed live at 5:30 a.m. on the Peacock channel.
Of course all the biggest results can be viewed in primetime on KPRC 2 throughout the Games in case you value your beauty sleep.
The expected star of the Games and Spring native Simone Biles gets going this weekend as well. The Team USA women’s gymnastics team has their first events Saturday evening Houston time.
Biles has 5 medals to her name already from the Rio Olympics and while she’s out to secure more hardware, she can also now boast that she has her own emoji on Twitter. Expect to see the real GOAT (Greatest of All Time) and the emoji goat a lot on social media.
NBC is partnering with Simone’s gym in Spring for a couple of watch parties. They’re open to the public, but space is limited and there is a small fee. If you’re interested in registering to attend, you’ll find more information HERE.
While non-gymnastics types like most of us are talking about Biles, a couple ladies who really know their stuff are weighing in on the GOAT’s chances in Tokyo as well. Olympic medalists Laurie Hernandez & Nastia Liukin have shared their perspective on Biles and the whole women’s team. You can hear what they have to say by clicking on their names.
And while we’re name dropping, let’s throw Tony Hawk into the mix. Hawk had some things to say about skateboarding finally being an Olympic sport. He says it’s a long time coming.
While we’ll try to keep you up to speed on how to watch the Games from your living room, you can also join us to watch them next week! KPRC 2 is proud to host Houston’s biggest Olympics watch party at Discovery Green. It’s happening all next week (Monday - Friday) and will feature members of the KPRC news team and our friends at “Houston Life.”
Wherever you’re enjoying the games, join us in shouting “GO TEAM USA!” Have a great weekend!