Did 'Botched Botox' Cause Bob Costas' Pink Eye At Winter Olympics? 'This Isn't The First Time He's Had It,' Report Says

The infamous case of pink eye that sidelined NBC host Bob Costas during the Sochi Winter Olympics may have been caused by a botched Botox injection, according to a report.

Costas was scheduled to serve as the primary anchor on NBC’s Winter Olympics coverage, but was forced to miss several days due to the severity of the pink eye, which caused noticeable irritation to both of his eyes. A source familiar with the situation told the New York Post’s Page Six that injected Botox was directly responsible for Costas’ eye infection.

“Bob’s eye infection was due to botched Botox,” the source said. “This isn’t the first time he’s had it.” The source added that Costas sought to remove wrinkles on his face prior to the Olympics.

However, an NBC Sports spokesperson says that the network strongly denies the source’s claim. “This has zero truth to this. Zero,” the spokesperson said.

Doctors claim that Botox injections rarely cause infection, except for when the needle used in such an operation is contaminated. “If the Botox procedure is done properly, the patient shouldn’t get pink eye,” Dr. Mark Warfel, a plastic surgeon in New York, told the Post. “It is highly unlikely unless the procedure was unclean, when the patient could contract cellulitis of the eyelid [symptoms include redness and swelling of the eyelid].”

Costas’ bout with pink eye caused him to miss six days of NBC’s Olympics coverage. Colleagues Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer served as his replacements. Costas later said that the infection caused him to experience blurred vision and sensitivity to light.