The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan were meant to be a career highlight for NBC’s Today team, but a sudden, deeply personal shift has upended plans. Craig Melvin will not travel to Milan—not due to scheduling or contracts, but to support his friend and colleague Savannah Guthrie, whose 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, has gone missing.
As the search for Nancy enters a critical and terrifying phase, Savannah has stayed in Arizona, and Melvin has chosen to remain by her side. Insiders say his decision was immediate and non-negotiable, a rare instance of loyalty outweighing career and broadcast obligations.
NBC has reshuffled its Olympic coverage, with Mary Carillo and Ahmed Fareed stepping into larger roles. Meanwhile, the focus at NBC has shifted from the thrill of the Games to supporting Savannah and handling updates on Nancy’s disappearance with care and empathy.
For viewers, the story is both national concern and intimate human drama. While athletes compete for gold, a family and a newsroom fight to bring an elderly woman safely home. Melvin’s choice underscores that some moments—family, friendship, humanity—transcend even the grandest stages.