Former “Today” co-host Meredith Vieira is ready for her role covering the Sochi Olympics for NBC, but tells The Hollywood Reporter the security situation in Russia is on her mind.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t [concerned about security],” said Vieira in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I really believe the Russian government is going to do everything it can to avoid that situation. This is [Russian president Vladimir] Putin’s baby and they don’t want anything to go wrong. But that doesn’t mean things won’t happen elsewhere in the country because I think those terrorists are given an opportunity and they will take it.”
Vieira noted that she was part of intense discussions about the situation in Russia and whether it was safe before she made the commitment to go. In the end, she says it has to be about the athletes.
Advertisement
Vieira also talks about one of her best friends being gay, and hoping there are shows of peaceful support for gay rights in Russia, where anti-gay laws have been pushed over the last year.
“In terms of demonstrations and all that. I would love to see everybody walk out with rainbow ribbons. I think something will happen at the opening ceremony.”