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Mic drop: Phil Liggett says this is his last Olympics as commentator

The long-standing broadcaster made an emotional announcement after the women’s road race

Mic drop: Phil Liggett says this is his last Olympics as commentator
August 6, 2024
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Phil Liggett, often hailed as the “Voice of Cycling,” announced this will be his last Olympics, after a long career spanning over four decades. Born in England in 1943, Liggett’s journey into cycling commentary began in the early 1970s. His distinctive voice and analysis quickly made him a beloved figure among cycling fans.

Undoubtedly, he’s known most for his coverage of the biggest race in the world, the Tour de France. Since the late 1970s, he has been a fixture of the race, bringing the drama and excitement of the Tour into homes around the world.

In addition to the Tour, Liggett has covered all the other big races, like the Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, the Classics, the World Championships, and, of course, the Olympics.

The biggest moments in cycling

Liggett has been there for some of the biggest moments in cycling. In the 1986 Tour de France, his emotional commentary highlighted Greg LeMond’s incredible comeback victory following a near-fatal hunting accident, as well as his spectacular win on the Champs-Élysées during the final stage of the 1989 Tour.

And who could forget the 1987 Tour, where his reaction to Stephen Roche’s incredible comeback, catching Pedro Delgado after being dropped early on the La Plagne climb, was unforgettable? “It’s Stephen Roche!” he exclaimed, capturing the moment when the Irishman caught up to the Spanish rider and went on to win that edition of the Tour.

If you’ve never seen that moment, by the way, do yourself a favour and check it now now.

Speaking of Roche–he also called it when the Carrera rider won the road worlds, becoming only the second rider in the history of men’s cycling to take the Triple Crown, which you can see here.

More recently, Liggett stepped out from the broadcast booth for the first time to cheer on Mark Cavendish on the final stage of the 2024 Tour.

A long career with other notable hosts

For many years, Liggett, who turns 81 on the day of the closing ceremony, was partnered with the late Paul Sherwen. The duo excelled in their interplay, with Liggett often taking playful jabs at Sherwen’s career. Liggett was also known for occasional name flubs, which Sherwen would politely correct. (On a personal note, when I was in a break at the USPRO championships years ago, Liggett mistakenly called me American, which I took as a high compliment.)

He has reported on 16 Olympic Games and 52 Tours de France for all of the big American networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, as well as SBS from Australia.

Liggett has also authored several books on cycling and has been involved in various charitable endeavors related to the sport. He has written columns and articles for outlets like The Guardian, the Daily Telegraph, and The Observer, as well as several cycling magazines. He was also made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2005.

The last Olympics for Liggett

Liggett will turn 81 on the day of the closing ceremony in Paris, and in an emotional farewell, he told host Eddie McGuire that the 2024 Olympic Games will be his last as a commentator.

“Another four years from now, I’ll be 85,” he said. “And I think that’s too old to spoil the viewers’ fun. But boy, I’ll miss it.”

Although he won’t be commentating at the LA Olympics, he didn’t specify just when he’d be hanging up the cleats.

“Gosh, I I haven’t left my desk for two days. All I did was tell C9 Australia that I wouldn’t be doing the Olympics in 2028! Thank you so much for your amazing words and stories. However, as Sam Clemens once said: ‘Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated!’ Love you all,” he posted on X on Tuesday.

You can watch Liggett’s emotional goodbye below.