NBC to premiere 'Winter Gold,' first look at Sochi Olympics broadcast

Hosted by eight-time Olympic medalist Apolo Ohno

As NBC Olympics gears up for the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, NBC will premiere the Olympic primetime special "Winter Gold, Presented by Chevrolet: NBC's First Look at the Sochi Olympics Broadcast," tonight at 8 p.m.

"Winter Gold" focuses on the making of the Olympic broadcast. It is hosted by Apolo Ohno, the most-decorated Winter Olympian in U.S. history, and NBC Olympics' short track speed skating analyst. The special introduces viewers to the unprecedented breadth and scale of the 2014 Sochi Olympics, providing an all-access, behind-the-scenes look at the preparation and production behind the games.

The NBC Olympics-produced one-hour special begins nearly two years prior to the Sochi Olympics with the stories behind NBC Olympics' research and production teams, led by executive producer Jim Bell; the travels and adventures of NBC Olympics features crew, including Olympic correspondent Mary Carillo; and the advanced technology used to broadcast the speed and action of the competition.

"Our efforts to bring Russia to life started as soon as the London torch was extinguished nearly two years ago, and it's taken us all across Russia - thousands of miles of traveling from St. Petersburg to Siberia," said NBC Olympics features producer Matt Allen. "I can't wait for our viewers to discover the Russia that we have."

The Olympics begin Feb. 6. NBC will begin its primetime coverage on Thursday, one night before the broadcast network provides its traditional primetime coverage of the opening ceremony on Friday. This marks the first time NBC will air Olympic primetime coverage before the opening ceremony.

The primetime broadcast on Thursday is scheduled to include competition in snowboard slopestyle (men's and women's), in which two-time gold medalist Shaun White will compete in slopestyle's Olympic debut; team figure skating, which is also in the Olympics for the first time; and women's freestyle moguls.