Colin Jost Exits as Olympics Correspondent After Sustaining Injuries and Illnesses

TEAHUPO'O, FRENCH POLYNESIA - JULY 28: American actor and screenwriter Colin Jost films a segment as he covers Olympic Surfing in Tahiti for NBC on July 28, 2024 in Teahupo'o, French Polynesia.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Colin Jost suffered a staph infection and an ear infection during his time covering the surfing competition at the 2024 Olympics.

Colin Jost's Olympics journey has come to an end. The 42-year-old Saturday Night Live star has left Tahiti after sustaining a foot injury and a number of infections while serving as "Olympics Surfing Correspondent" for NBC.

"Colin stayed longer than originally planned," a representative for NBC said in a statement to USA Today. "The competition ran long due to weather. He had a great time, and everyone was thrilled with his coverage from Tahiti."

Colin Jost films a segment as he covers Olympic Surfing in Tahiti for NBC on July 28, 2024 in Teahupo'o, French Polynesia. - Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

On July 26, Jost shared a photo of his bloodied foot on Instagram after scraping it on a coral reef. 

"This might ruin my WikiFeet score but I just arrived in Tahiti for the surfing Olympics and the reef was excited to greet me," he joked in his caption. Days later, he posted another pic of his foot -- this time covered in bandages -- after suffering a staph infection. 

"You know it’s going great when you’ve been to the Olympic medical tent more than any of the athletes," he cracked. 

Jost later added an ear infection to his "growing list of ailments," he shared on air

"My new goal by the time I leave here is to have as many infections as there are Olympic events,"  he joked. 

Jost was reporting live from the Olympics in Tahiti, where in honor of French territories, the French Polynesian island is hosting the surfing events. The events have been some of the most intense, as the island is experiencing some of its biggest waves. 

Earlier this week, Jost offered viewers something of an update on his condition. 

"Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated," he joked on Instagram. 

According to Reuters, Jost has been replaced by Australian correspondent Luke Bradnam. 

On Tuesday, it was announced that Jost has taken on a headlining gig at the Fringe Festival in Rochester, New York, next month after pal Pete Davidson bowed out to seek mental health treatment

Jost is also set to host the upcoming Jeopardy! spin-off, Pop Culture Jeopardy!, on Amazon Prime Video.

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