Costas will get out more

Bob Costas will be in Beijing for his seventh Olympics as prime-time host of NBC’s coverage but won't be stuck in the studio.

NBC announced its Beijing Games roster of announcers and commentators today -- 106 with 42 Olympic medals among them -- and it was clear that the biggest change will be for Costas, who will be more at venues this time around.

"Having your signature Olympics voice at the big events makes a lot of sense," NBC Sports spokesman Brian Walker said, according to an Associated Press report.

Jim Lampley will anchor NBC’s afternoon telecasts, while Mary Carillo will host late-night coverage.

Among the new commentators is 2000 Olympics gold medalist Rulon Gardner, who will serve as a commentator for the wrestling competition, and famed (and outspoken) gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi.

Cris Collinsworth, Costas’ partner on Sunday night football, will join the Olympics crew as a roving correspondent, while Carillo will do segments introducing U.S. residents to Chinese culture.

Former NHL player and NHL studio host Bill Clement will be play-by-play announcer for table tennis, an event NBC thinks will be a breakout sport at these Games. Clement, a former badminton champion in Canada, will be an analyst for that sport.

-- Debbie Goffa

Photo: How the studio-bound Costas looked to viewers during the last Summer Games. Credit: Jim Ruymen / Reuters