Q+A with Billy Gahagan of NBC Olympics

Ormond Beach Observer
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Ormond Beach resident Billy Gahagan has worked behind the scenes for NBC at 12 Olympic Games going back to the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games.

But nothing prepared him for the recent 2020 Games in Tokyo, which were postponed a year and held under a partial COVID-19 lockdown. Gahagan returns home Aug. 22 and then will have to make a quick turnaround to prepare for the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.

He spoke to the Observer from Japan days after running his string of attending the Closing Ceremonies to 12 Olympics. He also answered questions via email.

What is your job at NBC?

I am the engineering equipment supervisor for NBC Olympics. I wear quite a few hats. Mainly, I provide support for all of venue engineering by helping our engineers get the things they need for their projects and caring for the equipment we use during the Olympics.

What is your favorite part of the job?

I really love the fast pace of my job. When I am putting together a request from a venue tech manager or one of our people, knowing that it's part of the bigger picture, it’s satisfying to me.

When did you arrive in Tokyo?

I flew out of Daytona Beach on May 29, landing on May 30.

"Tokyo is a really neat city. I just wish we could have enjoyed her more. The craziness leading up to this Olympics is how I will remember it."

When do you start preparing for the Beijing Winter Games?

My job usually begins a year out for each Games. However, with the Winter Olympics being just six months away there's no rest for the weary. I'll get home and have just enough time to get over the jet lag before I head back up to Connecticut to continue prepping for Beijing.

Obviously this Olympics was like none other, what were some of the challenges you and your team faced?

I think one of the hardest things for us was the postponement of the Games. It gave us time to think and re-think about what we were going to do to make this Games special for everyone. Couple that with everything COVID related from travel, social distancing and the like. Logistically, our people climbed mountains and conquered them. Our team did an amazing job. This Games will be one that none of us will forget.

Bill Gahagan, right, visits with former Mainland High basketball star Vince Carter, who was a men's basketball commentator for NBC. Courtesy photo. — Bill Gahagan, right, visits with Vince Carter, who was an NBC commentator for Olympic men's basketball. Courtesy photo.

Were you able to attend any events?

I was able to combine work with play. I saw a little basketball and just happened to run into Vince Carter. I was at baseball when the U.S. was playing the Dominican Republic and then again for the gold medal game, U.S. vs. Japan. I love the Closing Ceremony. I had attended 11 and was afraid number 12 wasn't going to happen. With the help of a few of my colleagues, the streak remains intact.

What was it like to attend events with few spectators?

It was tough to really take in and enjoy. The gold medal baseball game was really neat to watch. It was the third Olympics I’ve attended where the host country won its (signature) event. In Vancouver 2010, Canada won hockey. In Rio 2016, Brazil won soccer. And in Tokyo, Japan won baseball. So I was happy and sad at the same time. This was a tough Games for everybody, for every country, for every athlete, for every spectator, sponsor, for every broadcaster. There were no visitors, no fans in the stands. These athletes trained and waited for this moment, some of them all their lives to represent their country. There were a couple hundred people there (at the gold medal baseball game), but if that was a normal setting, that stadium would have been absolutely electrifying with all the fans. So I’m happy for them and sad at the same time.

Were you able to take in some sites, sample the food and culture?

One of my biggest disappointments is that I couldn’t say I did karaoke in a Japanese bar. We were able to get out and see a couple of temples and some of the sites. Eight years ago when they announced Tokyo would host the Olympics, I remember telling my wife (Debbie) and family and friends, “I won’t eat raw sushi until I’m in Tokyo, Japan.” I had had sushi, but I never had it raw. We found a place that was just amazing. A young lady, 25 years old, had been doing sushi for three months and found flavors that complement each other, and you name it, I ate mackerel, salmon, tuna, barracuda, scallop. She fed me some raw duck. I watched everyone at the table eat it first and then I tried it. I said it was delicious, not for me, but it was delicious.

How will you remember Tokyo and these Games?

Tokyo is a really neat city. I just wish we could have enjoyed her more. The craziness leading up to this Olympics is how I will remember it. COVID has changed the landscape of the world as we know it. I don't think any of us will struggle for things to remember Tokyo 202ONE by.

Personally, how did this trip compare to your previous Olympic experiences?

Each Games is special and meaningful in its own way. But, this particular Games was like no other. With the restrictions placed on the city we couldn't really play as hard as we worked. We love to take in everything when we are in the host city but we just couldn't. It made a long trip seem even longer.

You've worked at 12 Olympic Games now. Which were your favorites?

The Florida boy in me just loves the Summer Games. Winters are far too cold for me. Atlanta 1996 was my first Olympics and is the reason I am able to do what I do. Salt Lake City 2002 was the first Olympics post 9-11 and there was military as far as the eye could see. (Being Greek), Athens 2004 needs no explanation. Torino 2006 had me and my wife in Italy for eight months … the wine, the wine, the wine! Beijing 2008 was a cultural experience. London 2012 I got to see Madness, George Michael, The Who, Annie Lennox, The Spice Girls, The Pet Shop Boys, Ed Sheeran and One Direction (to name a few) perform. Sochi 2014 was my emergency appendectomy. PyeongChang 2018 was 40 below.

Now you have a quick turnaround with the start of the Beijing Winter Olympics less than six months away. What will that be like?

Absolute craziness. I'll get home long enough to say hi to my family and friends and before we all know it, I'll be boarding a plane to China.

After 12 Olympic Games, traveling to five continents, how many more Olympic trips might be in your future?

My wife tells me I have at least two more: Paris and Milan. She wants to get back on the travel. She worked Athens and Italy in production services, and she came out to visit in Vancouver and London. I’ve been married for nine of my 12 Games.

Does it ever get old?

Not…even…close.