Lewis Johnson made a simple, honest mistake during the Olympic Trials Thursday, but the NBC Sports reporter fully owned his error, apologizing to a teen athlete.
Johnson interviewed 18-year-old Vance Nilsson after his run in the 400-meter hurdles. Nilsson appeared to have earned a spot in the final.
“Vance, you’re 18, in high school, you just had another personal best,” Johnson said. “What does a performance like this mean and what does it mean to be in the final here at the Olympic Trials?” Johnson concluded the interview by saying, “We’ll see you in the final.”
One problem: There was still one heat remaining in the semifinals, and Nilsson got bumped out of the final.
Johnson posted an apology to the young athlete Saturday on X.
Hey @vance_nilsson … I realized after the last 400 hurdle semi that I made a big mistake saying, “we’ll see you in the final,” Johnson wrote. “Sending deepest apology for my error on live TV & much respect to see a high schooler compete like you did at these Trials. See you at USA’s 2025!”
Hey @vance_nilsson …I realized after the last 400 hurdle semi that I made a big mistake saying, “we’ll see you in the final”. Sending deepest apology for my error on live TV & much respect to see a high schooler compete like you did at these Trials. See you at USA’s 2025! 👍🏽 https://t.co/dmKOO24QOH
— Lewis Johnson (@LewisJohnsonMG) June 29, 2024
As noted, Johnson made an easily understandable mistake; almost everyone who’s covered track and field, swimming, etc. where there are multiple heats has made this same type of error. But it was a nice move to publicly apologize.
Very few, if any, would own up to a mistake and make a public apology. But, then again, you’re cut from a better cloth than most everyone else, Lewis! Keep doing great work!
— Keith Whitman (@CoachWhitman) June 29, 2024
I’m amazed you can remember everybody’s name and your own while handling all this. This is a week long meet and you’re interviewing 1, 2, 3 people after each race, round, prelim, semis, finals. I hope you take a break after this. You need the recovery.
— DelawareTrackXC (@DelawareTrackXC) June 29, 2024
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.