Watching the 2024 Olympics is a study in contrasts.
On one hand, there are televised high points: the iconic theme music, the carefully produced backstories. And, on the other hand, there’s social media, home to landmark moments and surprises all at once. A still of Simone Biles leaping 12 feet in the air is juxtaposed with a photo of Stephen Nedoroscik’s glasses. Memes of (in NPR’s words) a “conspicuously dressed-down” sharpshooter proliferate.
This year’s Olympics are unfolding at once in the arena and on the feed — and they’re more compelling for it. And Olivia Homan (BUS ’19, MS ’20) is at the center of it all.
As a social media manager at NBC Universal, Homan is one of the people responsible for bringing the Olympics to your phone screen. Homan has plenty of experience covering major, live events, including the Super Bowl, the US Open, and the Academy Awards.
The Olympics, Homan said, are in another league entirely.
“There is truly nothing like the Olympics, and I say that having covered many live events in both entertainment and sports,” she told Driehaus over email halfway through her time in Paris.
In this environment — an environment of ceaseless novelty, where one of the only constants is change — Homan finds herself at home.
“The pace {of live coverage} is fast and intense,” she said, “but I love it. I still have ‘pinch me’ moments, whether meeting celebrities or witnessing the world's greatest athletes compete at the Olympics.”
From Chicago to Paris
Homan’s journey to Paris began during her time studying sports business at DePaul. She had always been interested in entertainment, fashion, and sports. At DePaul, she found internships that helped her gain experience in all three arenas.
After earning her undergraduate degree, she landed a gig at the intersection of all three of her passions.
“Before starting grad school at DePaul, I interned with the E! Social team, where I was able to merge my love for entertainment, fashion, and sports with social media marketing,” she said.
That was in summer 2019: just a year, as far as the world knew at the time, before the much-hyped Tokyo Olympics. As Homan began her graduate studies, she secured an internship with NBC for the 2020 Olympic Games.
The pandemic intervened. But “I was determined to continue finding my way in the sports industry,” Homan recalled. “I stayed in close contact with all my previous internship employers, keeping them updated as I built my resume and graduated from both undergrad and grad school. After earning my master's from DePaul, I noticed E! and Bravo Social were hiring for a Coordinator role. I decided to apply, and the rest is history!”
Homan would go on to capture landmark moments for social media at the US Open and Super Bowl LVI. And from there, in a full-circle moment, she would finally make it to the Olympics.
Cubs games after class: Homan reflects on her DePaul experience
In Paris, Homan has already witnessed history. She was there at the women’s gymnastics all-around final, when Simone Biles won her sixth Olympic gold medal and Suni Lee clinched bronze. She’s covered countless other “dream events” — the opening ceremony, swimming, and equestrian events — with more to come.
“It’s been amazing to watch our women’s gymnastics team compete and win gold,” she wrote, “as well as Katie Ledecky and Caleb Dressel” — both of whom she witnessed win gold live.
“San Clemente, CA is now my hometown when not in Chicago or working in LA,” she added. “I have been cheering on from afar as two hometown favorites, Caroline Marks and Griffin Colapinto, surf in Tahiti.”
When she thinks back to her time at DePaul, Homan has this advice to share with current students: “Gain experience in these industries however you can. Apply for internships, network with professionals at companies you’re interested in, and always advocate for yourself. Remember that no job is too small. It’s important to get your foot in the door, prove yourself, and keep pursuing your dreams.”
Homan’s advice reflects her own path.
“At DePaul, the city truly was my campus, and I made the most of being there,” she reflected. “Educationally, I took full advantage of the incredible professors and every networking opportunity they arranged for us. Living in the city allowed me to attend sporting events regularly. I even arranged my spring schedule to be free of night classes so I could attend weekly Cubs games.
“I cannot speak highly enough about my experience at DePaul,” she concluded.