Hoda Kotb Skipping Olympics Amid Disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s Mom

Hoda Kotb Skipping Olympics: A Shift in NBC’s 2026 Winter Games Coverage

Former Today show co-anchor Hoda Kotb has altered her plans for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Originally slated to be part of NBC’s coverage, Kotb, 61, will no longer be traveling to Italy for the event. This decision comes amid the ongoing and deeply concerning disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie.

NBC insiders confirmed to Us Weekly that Saturday Today co-anchor Peter Alexander will now report from Milan alongside other NBC correspondents. The change reflects the emotional toll the situation has taken on the Today show family, especially Kotb, who has been a close friend and colleague of Savannah Guthrie for years.

The Emotional Impact of Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance on the Today Show Family

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing in Tucson, Arizona, sparking a widespread search and an outpouring of support from friends, family, and viewers nationwide. Savannah Guthrie, 54, left New York to be near her family during this difficult time, while her Today show co-workers continue to work from Studio 1A at Rockefeller Center, providing updates and showing solidarity.

During a special guest appearance on the Friday episode of the Today show, Hoda Kotb expressed her heartbreak over the situation. “This whole thing is breaking my heart and I’m happy to be sitting here with you,” Kotb shared. “I picture Savannah sitting there. I just want to say good morning and everybody’s hoping and praying for Nancy’s safe return.”

Kotb praised the “massive show of support” from viewers and the nation, highlighting the vigils, positive online messages, and the collective hope for Nancy’s safe return. She emphasized the close-knit nature of the Today show team, recalling how Savannah has been there for her colleagues during their own personal hardships. “We’re all so close with her, we all want to help her,” Kotb said.

Details Surrounding Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance

The troubling news broke on February 1 when Nancy Guthrie was officially reported missing. According to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, Nancy had traveled to a family dinner via Uber on the evening of January 31. She was dropped off at her home at 9:48 p.m., and authorities confirmed her garage door closed shortly after at 9:50 p.m.

However, in the early hours of February 1, at 1:57 a.m., Nancy’s doorbell camera was disconnected. Later, at 2:12 a.m., the camera detected movement, but the footage was unavailable. Sheriff Nanos suggested the movement could have been caused by an animal, but no definitive conclusions have been made.

As of now, no suspects or persons of interest have been named by the police. The search continues with the community and law enforcement hopeful for Nancy’s safe return.

How Savannah Guthrie’s Absence Affected the 2026 Winter Olympics Coverage

Savannah Guthrie was originally scheduled to host the 2026 Winter Olympics ceremony. However, following her mother’s disappearance, she withdrew from her hosting duties to focus on her family. Mary Carillo stepped in to fill Guthrie’s role, joining Terry Gannon for the special event broadcast.

During the live broadcast, Gannon acknowledged Savannah’s absence, saying, “That is exactly what it takes to bring you the Olympics, a team and we are certainly without a very important, beloved member of our team tonight: Our friend and colleague Savannah Guthrie. She is dearly missed by everybody here.”

This heartfelt tribute underscored the deep bond between the Today show team and the impact of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance on everyone involved.

Family’s Plea and How You Can Help

Savannah’s brother, Camron Guthrie, made a public appeal for their mother’s safe return. In an emotional Instagram video posted on February 6, Camron urged anyone with information to come forward. “Whoever it out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you. We haven’t heard anything directly,” he said. “We need you to reach out and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward. But first, we have to know if you have our mom. We want to talk to you and we are waiting for contact.”

Authorities have requested that anyone with tips or leads related to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.

Conclusion

The decision of Hoda Kotb skipping the 2026 Winter Olympics coverage highlights the profound impact of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance on the Today show family. As Savannah Guthrie and her loved ones continue to search for answers, the nation’s support remains strong. If you have any information that could aid in Nancy’s safe return, please reach out to the authorities immediately. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story and join us in sending hope and prayers to the Guthrie family during this challenging time.