Johnny Weir 2026 Olympics Broadcasting Role
Johnny Weir is confirmed as a figure skating commentator for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Italy, working with NBCUniversal's coverage team. NBC holds the U.S. broadcast rights for the 2026 Winter Games, and Weir is expected to provide analysis alongside Tara Lipinski and other NBC Sports talent. The 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled for February 6 to 22, 2026, with opening and closing ceremonies in Milan and events in Cortina d'Ampezzo and other venues. Weir's role focuses on men's and women's singles, pairs, and ice dance commentary during the figure skating sessions. NBC's Olympic coverage will be distributed across NBC, Peacock, and affiliated digital platforms in the United States.
Johnny Weir has served as an NBC figure skating analyst since the 2014 Sochi Olympics, building on his career as a two-time U.S. national champion and 2008 World Championship bronze medalist. His broadcasting work includes regular commentary at Grand Prix events, U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and previous Olympic cycles. Weir's on-air style combines technical skating knowledge with commentary on costumes, artistry, and program construction. NBC Sports has not yet released a full 2026 Olympics on-air talent roster, but Weir remains a consistent presence in figure skating coverage. His continued involvement aligns with NBC's strategy of using former elite skaters to explain technical judging elements to viewers.
2026 Milan Cortina Olympics Figure Skating Schedule and Events
The 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating events are scheduled to take place at the Mediolanum Forum in Milan, Italy. The competition includes men's singles, women's singles, pairs, ice dance, and the team event, following the International Olympic Committee's standard figure skating program structure. The team event typically opens the figure skating competition, followed by men's singles, pairs, and ice dance in successive days. Short programs and free skate finals are held on designated days, with specific session times published closer to the Games by the IOC and the Italian organizing committee. The figure skating venue is separate from the opening and closing ceremonies, which are held at the Milan Central Station and Verona Arena, respectively.
ISU (International Skating Union) rules govern Olympic figure skating competitions, including the judging system for technical elements and program component scores. The 2026 Olympic figure skating entries will be determined by each country's national governing body and the ISU qualification framework. Johnny Weir's commentary will cover the technical breakdown of jumps, spins, and step sequences during the live broadcasts. The 2026 Games mark the return of the Winter Olympics to Italy for the first time since the 2006 Turin Games. NBC's coverage of figure skating at the 2026 Olympics will include live events and primetime replays on Peacock.
Johnny Weir Career Background and Olympic History
Johnny Weir competed in three Winter Olympics as a figure skater, finishing 2006 Turin (5th), 2010 Vancouver (6th), and 2014 Sochi (7th). He won two consecutive U.S. national titles in 2004 and 2005 and earned a bronze medal at the 2008 World Championships. Weir retired from competitive skating after the 2013-14 season and transitioned fully into broadcasting and media roles. His Olympic experience as a competitor informs his analysis of skater performances, costume choices, and program artistry at the 2026 Games. Weir has also authored books and appeared in media projects outside of figure skating commentary.
Weir's partnership with NBC Sports has expanded beyond figure skating to include broader Olympic coverage and entertainment segments.