Brazilian supermodels to feature in US Olympics coverage

Fourth-Place Medal

19 July 2016 at 10:09 pm

Celebrities and athletes have used the Olympics to make political statements on an international stage, and now two of Brazil's most famous exports will get their shot.

American TV network NBC has announced that Brazilian supermodels Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima will be joining their late night coverage of the Rio Olympic Games. The pair will be sharing the stage with host Ryan Seacrest, providing a nightcap to the day's coverage of the Games.

Lima and Ambrosio. Image: Getty

However, don't expect them to just be pretty faces on the TV screen. The Brazil natives will be responsible for feature stories and commentary on their home country.

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"Adriana and Alessandra are the perfect ambassadors to guide viewers through the celebrations taking place outside of the competition, showcasing the off-the-field experience for Olympic fans," said NBC Olympics Executive Producer Jim Bell.

But what off the field experience will they be covering?

Some of the initial reports out of Rio have been troubling. Police strikes, super bacteria and dismembered bodies have rocked the headlines before the Olympics have even begun. The crime rate in the city has actually risen since the announcement of the games being hosted, and citizens have been vocal in their displeasure that the country would invest in a competition instead of more pressing matters at home.

Will Ambrosio and Lima use that to highlight some of the issues that have been ailing their native country?

Fewer Brazilians are more popular than the pair of Victoria's Secret Angels. If given the opportunity, they could give names and faces to those living in the crime-ridden favelas. However, they could go the opposite direction. They could be assigned to do fluffy features on the beautiful beaches or visit other tourist traps around Rio.

Ambrosio and Lima have the names, and they now have the stage. It will be a couple of weeks before we find out what they do with it.