The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan were expected to be a major moment for NBC’s Today show team, but a sudden and deeply personal change has altered those plans. Craig Melvin has announced he will not travel to Italy, choosing instead to remain in the U.S. to support his close friend and co-anchor Savannah Guthrie amid a family crisis.
Savannah’s 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, remains missing, and the investigation has entered a frightening new phase. Originally slated to lead Olympic coverage, Savannah has stepped away to stay near Arizona law enforcement as the search continues. Melvin’s decision to forgo the Olympics was voluntary, driven by loyalty and a desire to ensure she is not facing this ordeal alone.
NBC has adjusted its Olympic lineup, elevating veteran broadcasters Mary Carillo and Ahmed Fareed to fill the gap. While preparations for the Games continue, the mood within the network has grown somber, with attention focused on the unfolding situation back home.
As viewers prepare to watch the spectacle in Milan, many are instead following updates on the search for Nancy Guthrie. Melvin’s choice underscores a rare moment in television where personal solidarity has taken precedence over professional prestige. For the Today show family, the hope remains simple and urgent: that Nancy Guthrie will be found and brought safely home.