TRENDING

Ghostbusters star tweets her way to gig at Rio Olympics

9 Aug 2016

Leslie Jones Ghostbusters Olympics

Leslie Jones was a Ghostbuster before taking on her natural role as Olympics presenter

Leslie Jones’ extreme enthusiasm for all things Olympics has landed her a job with NBC in Rio, presenting at events for the US broadcaster.

Plenty of people are getting suitably excited as the Rio 2016 Olympic Games drench our TV screens with everything from Michael Phelps winning yet more golds for the US, to Yusra Mardini, a Syrian refugee, competing in the 100m butterfly in the pool.

Rio 2016 Olympics Leslie Jones

But while we are all excited, some are more excited than others. For instance, Ghostbusters star Leslie Jones, whose US-heavy adoration of the Games has proved a hit on social media.

Making short, snappy videos of what she’s seeing on TV, Jones’ enthusiasm is relentless.

So much so that NBC spotted an opportunity that it simple could not pass up. The executive producer of the station’s Rio coverage was tipped off and went for it.

These scenarios rarely turn out as you expect but, somewhat surprisingly, it has now been confirmed that Jones – a cast member of Saturday Night Live – is on her way to Rio to rub shoulders with the greats.

“Starting this Friday, Jones will attend live Olympic events, including swimming, track and field, gymnastics and beach volleyball; meet athletes, and spread her passion for sports and the Olympics on-air and online,” NBC said in a statement.

So expect more of this:

Main Leslie Jones image via Helga Esteb/Shutterstock

Gordon Hunt was a journalist with Silicon Republic

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