London Olympics AA Q&A: Lisa Leslie
With the USA Women's Basketball team defeating China today 114-66, they remain undefeated in the competition and on track for yet another gold medal. The next guest in our London Olympics Q&A has won four women's basketball gold medals as one of the best players in the history of the sport, Lisa Leslie. Leslie was a part of the gold medal winning USA team in 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008 and now works for NBC as an analyst for the games stationed in New York.
Q: What are the biggest challenges in preparing for calling an Olympic sport and during the event itself?
A: The biggest challenges are learning the pronunciation of all the different athletes’ names. Once I learned the names, it's still a challenge to pronounce it quickly once the player scores.
Q: What's the most memorable aspect of being a part of the Olympic broadcast?
A: Coming to the realization that I am on a new team...Team NBC. I am representing my new team at all times. So as I take that into consideration, I don't respond to social media without taking my new team into consideration. I am also aware of the stage we are on. It is very important to report objectively and truthfully. All of this comes with ease for me and I am proud to be on Team NBC.
Q: How much of the Olympics are you able to take in as a fan, are you able to keep up with the events from the studio at 30 Rock?
A: I have truly become addicted to the Olympics and have yet to miss an event on NBC. I also watch most of the Olympics streaming live on NBCOlympics.com when I'm not working. I am looking forward to my husband and kids arriving so we can take a tour and spend time together.
Q: How is it different now being a commentator for these London Olympics as opposed to the Games you played in (’96, ’00, ’04, ’08)?
A: The London Games are awesome and much more enjoyable as a fan. I had no idea all these amazing athletes were accomplishing so many great things. I actually met Michael Phelps for the first time after the Beijing Olympics and had not heard of him. Well, I definitely know who he is now! I am so happy with my four gold medals and I wish all the other Americans the best of luck in hopes of having a medal placed around their necks, too.
