Raleigh native working behind the scenes to create NBC Olympics

By Renee Chou, WRAL anchor/reporter

Raleigh, N.C. — Bringing the Summer Games to your television screen is nearly as challenging as any Olympic feat.

There's an NBC team of 1,600 people in Tokyo, including producer Susan LaSalla from Raleigh.

She enjoyed a 43-year career with NBC and the Today Show. After she retired, NBC called on her to help with the Sochi Olympics, and they've called her every year since.

"You have to come together as a cohesive unit, and we hit our stride," LaSalla said.

With NBC Olympics host Kathryn Tappen in front of the camera, Susan LaSalla is the producer behind it, coordinating the coverage.

She's on the NBC Olympics set every morning at 5 a.m. and doesn't leave until 3 p.m.

"And it's fun, too, because a lot of the first-time medalists, they come into a TV studio, and they're just blown away," LaSalla said.

Challenge confronts every Olympic Games, but this year's challenge was the COVID-19 pandemic.

Masks and frequent testing are required each day, but LaSalla said, "Nobody ever complains at the Olympics, because you're at the Olympics."

LaSalla grew up in Raleigh and went to Broughton High School. She said she had no idea when she was in high school that she would be where she is now.

"I was just always very curious as a child," she said, "and loved newspapers."

She calls herself the "oldest mare at the Olympic barn." LaSalla says she will continue to help produce the Olympics as long as she keeps getting invited.