Trinidadian sprint legend and Olympic medallist Ato Boldon has described winning his first Sports Emmy Award as a "huge feeling of accomplishment" after more than a decade of contributing to NBC’s Olympic coverage.
Boldon was part of the NBC Olympic Broadcasting Team that won the Outstanding Live Special – Championship Event award at the 46th Annual Sports Emmy Awards held on May 20, 2025, at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City. The award was for the network’s broadcast of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad in Paris.
“Like most sprinters, I’m goal-oriented,” Boldon told Sportsmax.TV. “So the minute I got into track and field broadcasting, I wanted to win one of these statuettes. It’s difficult to win one in the States... most often we get recognized for what we do during the Olympics when all of America is watching.”
The 52-year-old was also individually nominated in the Outstanding Sports Personality – Sports Event Analyst category, becoming the only track and field commentator ever to earn that distinction—now for a second time following his initial nomination in 2013.
“That was in the individual category for analysts. That was huge, but I didn’t win,” he recalled of that first nomination. “They have since changed the rules... before it wouldn’t matter how well the car drove, the crew chief and the mechanics would get the awards. Now, I think it’s a lot more fair.”
Boldon noted the evolution in how Olympic coverage is judged. “It means that us as an Olympic crew—track and field, swimming, all the other Olympic sports—have a fair shot,” he said. “Now when you do a good job, you can be nominated individually... or you can also win as part of the team. And this is a team win.”
Though instrumental to NBC’s Olympic athletics coverage, Boldon chose not to attend this year’s Emmy ceremony—opting instead to avoid a repeat of 2013 when he presented but left empty-handed.
“Because I’ve waited so long, I find it very funny,” he said. “I find it very hilarious that, you know, some of the folks who broadcast for the first time want to go home with one as well.”
Still, the moment brought back emotion and reflection. “It also makes me very melancholy,” he said. “You start thinking about every English teacher you’ve ever had. Thinking about my mother making sure I knew the difference between the Queen’s English and Trini English... and some of my relatives who have passed on, who would have really enjoyed being able to celebrate this with me.”
Boldon, who began his broadcasting career after retiring from competitive athletics, has earned widespread praise for his sharp analysis and deep knowledge of sprinting. For him, the Emmy is both personal and professional validation.
“It’s fun to be rewarded for your work. And I’ve been doing this for quite a while now,” he said. “So it gives me a huge feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction... for the rest of your life and after you’re dead, you’ll be an Emmy winner. And I think we have more to get. So, fingers crossed.”