Iconic voice of Olympic swimming announces 2028 Games will be his last

Fans of Olympic swimming know the iconic voice of commentator Rowdy Gaines.

His boisterous attitude and approach to describing the often tight races make the eight days of swim competition can't-miss television every four years.

But fans, unfortunately, must prepare to hear the last of Gaines as he announced Thursday that the Los Angeles Games in 2028 will be his 10th and last for NBC Sports.

The three-time Olympic gold medalist began covering swimming for the network at the 1992 Games in Barcelona, then became an analyst alongside play-by-play announcer Dan Hicks at the 2004 Athens Games. The duo has been inseparable since.

Fans will most remember Gaines for his, well, rowdy calls of legendary races like the 2008 men's 4x100 freestyle relay when Team USA out-touched their French opponents after an epic final leg by Jason Lezak.

It will be a sad day when Gaines hangs up his headphones after the Los Angeles Games, but he's not done in Paris just yet. He will join NBC Sports' Mary Carillo for the marathon swimming events on Thursday and Friday.

But when he does step away from the booth, who is the likeliest to replace him? NBC Sports won't have a shortage of talent to tap next.

The swimming coverage in Paris featured three-time Olympian and two-time medalist Elizabeth Beisel as a correspondent and, most notably, 28-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps alongside Gaines and Hicks. Either one or both could step in to fill the open chair.

Regardless, the 2028 Games will be a triumphant celebration of the sport and the voice that made it must-watch television for over 20 years.