[ad_1]
Team USA finally beat Canada to win gold. It was monumental, and the celebration and medal ceremony was beautiful. Then they got into the locker room, and just had to bring politics into it.
[ad_2]
Nick Tricome
Source link
Tag: Winter Olympics
-
Tricome: The U.S. men’s hockey team really couldn’t help itself
-
Alysa Liu’s Trump Comments Resurface After She Called Out ‘Faults’ in the ‘Government’—’Immigrants Deserve Rights’
[ad_1]
Alysa Liu is Gen Z’s current favorite role model. From her unique hair, daring piercings, and large repertoire of trending alternative songs on her skating playlist, she’s been a beacon of light for subverting the uptight image of figure skating as a whole.
The 20-year-old scored gold in the women’s free skating event and at the team event with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. Some athletes have spoken about their feelings about representing Team USA amid ICE Immigration Raids in Minnesota and Trump’s aggressive immigration policies, and Alysa is no exception.
What has Alysa Liu said about Trump?
While Alysa Liu hasn’t directly said anything about Donald Trump himself, she has criticized his policies. “I definitely do care what our country is doing,” she said in an interview with KARE 11. “I think it is really important also to notice the faults in our own government. Things are a little rough. There’s so many protests that are going on and I’ve attended. Coming from a family of immigrants, I think immigrants deserve rights.”
“I mean, coming from a family of immigrants, like, I think immigrants deserve rights. I think it’s a little silly, especially in America.”
Alysa’s teammate, Amber Glenn, who’s a fierce critic of the Trump administration and an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, also posted a TikTok carousel featuring the two rocking out their gold medals. She captioned the post, “If ‘Woke’ means people who use their platforms to advocate for marginalized communities in the country that they are actively representing……. Then yeah sure?”
Alysa Liu’s father, Arthur, who was a political refugee from China during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in China, told The Daily Beast that Alysa’s performances helped unite Americans no matter what their political affiliation is. “What I heard is that the left and the right and the independent they all embraced her, which is great,” Arthur told the publication. “She’s a very charming young lady who won two medals from the Olympic games, so she has some magic.”
He added, “MAGA loves her…What’s not to love about her? She is a pride of America.”
[ad_2]
Lea Veloso
Source link -
Gold-medal US women’s hockey team declines President Trump’s invitation to attend State of Union address
[ad_1]
WASHINGTON — The gold-medal-winning U.S. women’s hockey team has politely declined an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union address Tuesday.
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold-medal-winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” the team said in a statement released Monday. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
Trump also invited the gold-medal-winning U.S. men’s team.
Scheduling will be a challenge as the NHL regular season resumes with five games Wednesday and the PWHL resumes Thursday.
Logistics played a role in the decision, as many of the women’s players were not scheduled to arrive in North America until Monday evening. The men’s team flew by charter to Miami earlier Monday. The women took a commercial flight and were scheduled to land in Atlanta.
A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that the women’s players didn’t learn of the invitation until late Sunday, making it difficult to change their travel plans. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the team’s travel plans.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the status of both teams.
When extending the invitation to the men’s team Sunday night, Trump said, “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that.” Trump joked that if he did not also invite the women’s team, “I do believe I probably would be impeached.”
The Olympic tournament featured two thrilling finals, both ending in overtime, with the American women beating Canada 2-1 in the gold-medal game Thursday and the U.S. men beating Canada 2-1 on Sunday.
“It’s been a whirlwind. It’s been amazing. It’s a dream of ours. It was such an amazing way to unite the country,” Matthew Tkachuk of the U.S. men’s team said after arriving in Miami.
“We felt the support being across the Atlantic, and now being back on home soil we could feel it the second the wheels hit the ground. So excited to be back in the greatest country in the world and so excited to celebrate.”
Tkachuk said it was an honor to hear from Trump after the win, “and so we are definitely honored to represent him and the millions and millions across the country.”
Vice President JD Vance attended two of the U.S. women’s preliminary-round wins with his family during the first week of the Games.
AP’s Stephen Whyno, Charles Odum in Atlanta and Freida Frisaro in Miami contributed.
[ad_2]
John Wawrow, Melissa Goldin
Source link -
Orlando-native Jack Hughes leads US Hockey to Olympic gold
[ad_1]
Orlando-native Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal for the United States in Sunday’s men’s hockey gold medal game of the Milan Cortina Olympics.The U.S. defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime after Hughes scored to secure the Americans a third Olympic title, and their first since 1980, famously known as the “Miracle on Ice” game. His father, Jim Hughes, was an assistant coach for the Orlando Solar Bears (IHL) for two seasons (1999-2000 and 2000-01). Reporting from the Associated Press: MILAN (AP) — No miracle needed. The United States is on top of the hockey world for the first time in nearly half a century.Jack Hughes scored in overtime, and the U.S. defeated Canada 2-1 in the gold medal final at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Sunday to earn the nation’s third men’s title at the Games and its first since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980 — 46 years to the day of the upset over the Soviet Union, too.Unlike that ragtag group of college kids that pulled off one of the biggest shockers in sports history, the Americans in Milan were a machine that rode goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and a stacked roster full of NHL players through the tournament unbeaten.“This is all about our country right now,” Hughes said. “I love the U.S.A. I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The USA Hockey brotherhood is so strong.”Hughes’ goal off the rush off a pass from Zach Werenski 1:41 into 3-on-3 OT sent players into a wild celebration as Canada’s entire team watched from the bench. Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk carried a Johnny Gaudreau No. 13 around the ice as the latest tribute to the beloved player who was killed along with his brother in 2024.Gaudreau’s parents, Guy and Jay, his widow, Meredith, and their oldest children were in attendance. It was John Jr.’s second birthday.Hellebuyck was by far the best player on the ice, stopping 41 of the 42 shots he faced as Canada tilted the ice toward him. He made the save of the tournament by getting his stick on the puck on a shot from Devon Toews in the third period, then minutes later denied Macklin Celebrini on a breakaway — something he also did to Connor McDavid earlier.“Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck,” Hughes said. “He was our best player by a mile.”It was only fitting the Americans needed to go through Canada, their northern neighbor that beat them at the 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago and has won every international competition over the past 16 years that featured the world’s best players.Not anymore.Winning a fast-paced, riveting game that was full of big hits and plenty of post-whistle altercations, the U.S. got a goal from Matt Boldy 6 minutes in and led until Cale Makar tied it late in the second period. Hellebuyck and the penalty kill was a perfect 18 for 18 at the Olympics.“I can’t even believe this,” Hughes said. “I mean it’s such an unbelievable game, USA-Canada. Such a good game. There’s so many great players. We’re a great team. That’s exactly how we wanted it to go. We’re underdogs to Canada, (but we) beat them. It could have gone either way.”The U.S. finally came through after generations of churning out talent from the grassroots level like a production line. All but two of the 25 players on the team went through USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.That group of 23 includes captain Auston Matthews, the top line of Brady and Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Eichel, and the second set of brothers, Jack and Quinn Hughes. Much of the team played together either at the program, under-18s, the world junior championship or some combination of them.The U.S. winning silenced criticism of general manager Bill Guerin and his management group choosing a roster full of experienced veteran players to fill specific roles and leaving four of the top 10 American goal-scorers in the NHL this season at home. Some decisions were no-doubters, like coach Mike Sullivan giving the net to Hellebuyck, who was the best goalie in the tournament.Canada, back-to-back Olympic champions in 2010 and ’14 and winners of three of the first five, fell short while playing without injured captain Sidney Crosby. The 38-year-old two-time gold medalist and three-time Stanley Cup champion left the quarterfinal game against Czechia and sat out the semifinal game against Finland.McDavid, the widely considered best player in the world who wore the “C” in Crosby’s absence, suffered another devastating defeat on the doorstep of a title. He and the Edmonton Oilers have lost to Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final each of the past two years.
Orlando-native Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal for the United States in Sunday’s men’s hockey gold medal game of the Milan Cortina Olympics.
The U.S. defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime after Hughes scored to secure the Americans a third Olympic title, and their first since 1980, famously known as the “Miracle on Ice” game.
His father, Jim Hughes, was an assistant coach for the Orlando Solar Bears (IHL) for two seasons (1999-2000 and 2000-01).
Reporting from the Associated Press:
MILAN (AP) — No miracle needed. The United States is on top of the hockey world for the first time in nearly half a century.
Jack Hughes scored in overtime, and the U.S. defeated Canada 2-1 in the gold medal final at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Sunday to earn the nation’s third men’s title at the Games and its first since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980 — 46 years to the day of the upset over the Soviet Union, too.
Unlike that ragtag group of college kids that pulled off one of the biggest shockers in sports history, the Americans in Milan were a machine that rode goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and a stacked roster full of NHL players through the tournament unbeaten.
“This is all about our country right now,” Hughes said. “I love the U.S.A. I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The USA Hockey brotherhood is so strong.”
Hughes’ goal off the rush off a pass from Zach Werenski 1:41 into 3-on-3 OT sent players into a wild celebration as Canada’s entire team watched from the bench. Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk carried a Johnny Gaudreau No. 13 around the ice as the latest tribute to the beloved player who was killed along with his brother in 2024.
Gaudreau’s parents, Guy and Jay, his widow, Meredith, and their oldest children were in attendance. It was John Jr.’s second birthday.
Hellebuyck was by far the best player on the ice, stopping 41 of the 42 shots he faced as Canada tilted the ice toward him. He made the save of the tournament by getting his stick on the puck on a shot from Devon Toews in the third period, then minutes later denied Macklin Celebrini on a breakaway — something he also did to Connor McDavid earlier.
“Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck,” Hughes said. “He was our best player by a mile.”
It was only fitting the Americans needed to go through Canada, their northern neighbor that beat them at the 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago and has won every international competition over the past 16 years that featured the world’s best players.
Not anymore.
Winning a fast-paced, riveting game that was full of big hits and plenty of post-whistle altercations, the U.S. got a goal from Matt Boldy 6 minutes in and led until Cale Makar tied it late in the second period. Hellebuyck and the penalty kill was a perfect 18 for 18 at the Olympics.
“I can’t even believe this,” Hughes said. “I mean it’s such an unbelievable game, USA-Canada. Such a good game. There’s so many great players. We’re a great team. That’s exactly how we wanted it to go. We’re underdogs to Canada, (but we) beat them. It could have gone either way.”
The U.S. finally came through after generations of churning out talent from the grassroots level like a production line. All but two of the 25 players on the team went through USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.
That group of 23 includes captain Auston Matthews, the top line of Brady and Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Eichel, and the second set of brothers, Jack and Quinn Hughes. Much of the team played together either at the program, under-18s, the world junior championship or some combination of them.
The U.S. winning silenced criticism of general manager Bill Guerin and his management group choosing a roster full of experienced veteran players to fill specific roles and leaving four of the top 10 American goal-scorers in the NHL this season at home. Some decisions were no-doubters, like coach Mike Sullivan giving the net to Hellebuyck, who was the best goalie in the tournament.
Canada, back-to-back Olympic champions in 2010 and ’14 and winners of three of the first five, fell short while playing without injured captain Sidney Crosby. The 38-year-old two-time gold medalist and three-time Stanley Cup champion left the quarterfinal game against Czechia and sat out the semifinal game against Finland.
McDavid, the widely considered best player in the world who wore the “C” in Crosby’s absence, suffered another devastating defeat on the doorstep of a title. He and the Edmonton Oilers have lost to Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final each of the past two years.
[ad_2]
-
Team U.S.A. Won More Than Gold in Men’s Hockey
[ad_1]
Less than two minutes into overtime of the men’s gold-medal hockey game at the Milano Cortina Olympics, between the U.S.A. and Canada, the American Jack Hughes—a fresh gap in his teeth, his mouth still bloody from a high stick in the third period—lunged and poked the puck around a Canadian defender. The ice, which had seemed crowded with players colliding at incredible speeds during regulation, suddenly opened up—Olympic hockey uses a three-on-three format during overtime instead of the ordinary five-on-five. The Canadian Nathan MacKinnon had an angle on the puck, but there was an air of caution about him as he skated toward it. Perhaps fatigue was setting in. MacKinnon had been all over the rink all game, which was as fast, and as physical, and as highly skilled, surely, as any hockey competition in history. He’d had his own chances to score; halfway through the third period, he’d even missed an open net. So it had gone for Canada all day. Perhaps MacKinnon was haunted, seeing ghosts. Or perhaps it was the sight of three real, live Americans streaking into the attacking zone.
MacKinnon glided toward the puck—and toward Zach Werenski, who’d beaten him there. Then the Canadian hesitated, ever so slightly. That was all it took. Werenski was able to fight him off, turn back, and get off a sharp pass across the ice to Hughes, who was flying up the left side. Hughes was ready for it. He shot and scored, a goal that gave the U.S. its first gold in men’s hockey since 1980, when a bunch of college kids beat the mighty Soviets on their way to the final.
There is now, as there was then, a political context that seemed to inform every hard hit, every ringing chant for Canada or for the U.S.A. Donald Trump, after all, has made no secret of his contempt for Canadians or his disregard of their sovereignty. And the Canadians have made hockey, the country’s national sport, a kind of referendum on their strong identity. “You can’t take our country—and you can’t take our game,” wrote the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after the Canadians’ overtime win over the U.S. for the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy last year—one of the wildest, most highly charged sporting events I’ve ever seen. But the thrilling reality is that these U.S. and Canada teams were well matched in most measures, and together put on a display of unbelievable speed and skill. The competitive intensity between them had less to do with some narrative of freedom versus tyranny based on the two nations’ differences and more to do with their familiarity. The U.S. and Canadian players face each other all year long, crisscrossing the border. Some of them are teammates, and might even refer to one another as family. They know each other’s weaknesses and tendencies. They respect each other, sometimes grudgingly. But it was obvious from the determination on both sides that they understood friendships don’t define rivalries. “There’s hatred there,” the quick-to-brawl American forward Brady Tkachuk said before the game. “I mean, they’ve been the top dog. They’ve been the best for the last bunch of years, and, for us, we want to be in that position, be the best. So it’s going to be a game where I think a lot of guys could say, This is the biggest game that they’ve ever played in.”
And after Hughes’s golden goal, that’s the way it seemed. Blue gloves and helmets flew into the air, and the players poured onto the ice in jubilation. “It was just euphoria,” Charlie McAvoy said. “I can’t even explain what I was feeling, just pure joy.” The Canadians, meanwhile, are left with silver medals and regrets over missed opportunities. Because for most of the game, right up until the moment that Hughes kicked the puck out of the corner to begin Team U.S.A.’s winning attack, Canada had the clear edge in every respect—except goaltending. The Canadians outshot the Americans 42–28. Hughes’s goal will be the single moment from this game that is long remembered, but it was Connor Hellebuyck’s performance that made it possible. Hellebuyck stood up in traffic, stuffed Connor McDavid (the best player in the world) on a breakaway, and somehow managed to reach back and use his paddle to deflect what should have been a tap-in by Devon Toews near the start of the third. Hellebuyck, with forty-one saves, is the game’s true hero.
[ad_2]
Louisa Thomas
Source link -
USA men’s hockey draws criticism after Olympic win over Canada
[ad_1]
On Sunday, Feb. 22, the 2026 Winter Olympics officially closed out its final event with Team USA men’s hockey taking on Team Canada, with a 2-1 final tally.
This wasn’t just any hockey game. This game pit two rivals against each other, and adding to the drama, it ended in a close overtime win for Team USA.
With that win, Team USA ended their gold medal drought in men’s hockey, following Jack Hughes’ final goal to get that 2-1 score. The win marks the U.S.’s first gold medal in men’s ice hockey since 1980.
But, not everybody is happy with the result of the game. Following the win, Canadian ice hockey player Evander Kane took to social media to give his two cents about the outcome, and he wasn’t happy with it.
In a post on X just minute after the game, he stated, “3 on 3 should never what determines a championship game,” obviously not happy with the outcome.
Followers responded, one stating, “Makar causes 2 goals. That’s what shouldn’t have happened.” Another added, “100% agree, that’s not a good way to decide.”
“Here come the excuses for our Canadian friends,” one more said. “Can’t agree more,” one more stated.
After Jack Hughes’ winning goal, he told reporters, according to ESPN, “Your whole life you’re always going up against things. There’s always new adversities, new challenges. Every single player in that game went through so many things.”
He added, “It’s a journey, the whole lifetime of work. I’m just a part of that. I think every single person in that game can be proud. Obviously, a great game and we had the better outcome but just a great game between USA and Canada.”
More sports and Olympics news: Mikaela Shiffrin had a 2-word response to the Olympic men’s hockey final
Now, the final Olympic medal count is here, and Norway has earned the title of the No. 1 country in the 2026 Winter Olympics. They notched with 41 medals, 18 of which were gold, 12 of which were silver and nine bronze, according to Olympics research.
More sports and Olympics news: Mikaela Shiffrin Reveals What Led to ‘Today’ Show Slip-Up From Olympics
The United States rounded out the Games in the No. 2 slot with 33 total medals, 12 of which are gold and silver and nine bronze. Coming in at No. 3 is the Netherlands at 20 total medals: 10 gold, seven silver and three bronze.
[ad_2]
-
Bruins star Charlie McAvoy delivers unsung heroics in gold medal win
[ad_1]
Connor Hellebuyck delivered a goaltending performance for the ages, but every netminder needs a little help at times.
And in the third period of the USA’s heart-stopping 2-1 overtime win over the Canadians in Sunday’s gold medal game, the UMass Lowell product turned to another Hockey East product, Bruins defenseman and former Boston University Terrier Charlie McAvoy, for some game-saving assistance.
The Canadians threw everything at Hellebuyck with the score tied 1-1. A go-ahead goal for Canada seemed inevitable. At one juncture, former Bruin Brad Marchand threw the puck toward the net. In a scramble, Tom Wilson got the puck and he had Hellebuyck down and out. He flipped it over the netminder, but McAvoy was there on the goal line to block it with his chest and then scoop it with both hands away from danger without closing either one on the puck.
It was a huge moment in the game, which was eventually won on Jack Hughes’ golden goal less than two minutes into overtime to lift the Americans to a 2-1 win and their first gold medal since 1980.
And it was quite a moment for McAvoy. The Long Beach, N.Y., native grew up in the U.S. National Team Development Program. Last year at the 4 Nations tournament, McAvoy played a monster game when the Americans beat the Canadians early in the tournament in Montreal but was sidelined for the championship game in Boston with the shoulder injury that became dangerously infected and cost him the rest of the season.
He was overcome by emotion when Hughes’ goal went in.
“I can’t wait to see the footage of what happened after we scored, because it was a complete blackout, who I was hugging, where I was going. I don’t know what happened,” McAvoy told reporters in Italy. “It was euphoria, man. I can’t even explain what I was feeling. Just pure joy.”
There were plenty of local ties to this win. Millis and Boston College product Matt Boldy scored the game’s first goal. McAvoy’s Bruins teammate Jeremy Swayman, who won a game in the tourney, also took home the gold. Wilbraham native and BC alum Bill Guerin was the GM and, in fact, took some heat when he left scorers Cole Caufield and Jason Robertson off the roster.
And behind the bench was Mike Sullivan, son of Marshfield and BU and McAvoy’s father-in-law. Sullivan went to bat for Guerin.
“The team was built with personality in mind,” said Sullivan, the former Bruins and current Rangers coach who won two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh. “There are whiskey drinkers and milk drinkers. And we got a lot of whiskey drinkers.”
[ad_2]
Stephen Conroy
Source link -
American mom fulfills 20-year promise at Milan Cortina Olympics
[ad_1]
Christine McCarthy returned to Italy for the Milan Cortina Olympics, fulfilling a promise she made to herself 20 years ago at the Torino Games to bring her family to experience the event.”I was at the Olympics in 2006 pre them. Pre him, and from the day I did it, I said when I have a family, they’re coming with me to do this experience,” McCarthy said.Twenty years after attending the 2006 Torino Olympics with friends, McCarthy is back in Italy, this time with her family.”It’s a vibe, it’s amazing,” said Peter McCarthy, Christine’s husband.Peter McCarthy shared that the family has been warmly welcomed, saying, “We’re walking down the street and had someone buy us drinks. We’ve met several athletes already.”Their son, Collin McCarthy, 10, added, “We met the Canadian bobsledding team, the Curling team for Italy.”The McCarthy family is reliving the experiences Christine had years ago, with their son Declan McCarthy, 12, noting the camaraderie and excitement. “All the people are like hey I’ll take a photo with you. Everyone is partying in the streets, and everybody is rooting for the countries. I feel like it’s such a great thing,” he said.Peter McCarthy described the atmosphere as “an amazing place where people come together, and everyone is rooting for their country, but all the countries and the athletes.”Declan McCarthy expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I still think this is the coolest trip I’ve ever been on in my life.”Christine McCarthy reflected on the experience, saying, “Better, even better because I get to see it through their eyes.”The McCarthy boys are now officially hooked on the Olympics, and they’re already talking about a family trip to the Summer Games in Los Angeles. The McCarthy family traveled all over northern Italy for the Games.
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Veneto —Christine McCarthy returned to Italy for the Milan Cortina Olympics, fulfilling a promise she made to herself 20 years ago at the Torino Games to bring her family to experience the event.
“I was at the Olympics in 2006 pre them. Pre him, and from the day I did it, I said when I have a family, they’re coming with me to do this experience,” McCarthy said.
Twenty years after attending the 2006 Torino Olympics with friends, McCarthy is back in Italy, this time with her family.
“It’s a vibe, it’s amazing,” said Peter McCarthy, Christine’s husband.
Peter McCarthy shared that the family has been warmly welcomed, saying, “We’re walking down the street and had someone buy us drinks. We’ve met several athletes already.”
Their son, Collin McCarthy, 10, added, “We met the Canadian bobsledding team, the Curling team for Italy.”
The McCarthy family is reliving the experiences Christine had years ago, with their son Declan McCarthy, 12, noting the camaraderie and excitement. “All the people are like hey I’ll take a photo with you. Everyone is partying in the streets, and everybody is rooting for the countries. I feel like it’s such a great thing,” he said.
Peter McCarthy described the atmosphere as “an amazing place where people come together, and everyone is rooting for their country, but all the countries and the athletes.”
Declan McCarthy expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I still think this is the coolest trip I’ve ever been on in my life.”
Christine McCarthy reflected on the experience, saying, “Better, even better because I get to see it through their eyes.”
The McCarthy boys are now officially hooked on the Olympics, and they’re already talking about a family trip to the Summer Games in Los Angeles. The McCarthy family traveled all over northern Italy for the Games.
[ad_2]
-
At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Peril and Promise Coincide
[ad_1]
In Italy, some of the world’s greatest athletes encountered physical risk, and even failure. But the most memorable moments of the Games were not just feats of skill but examples of resilience—and reasons for hope.
[ad_2]
Louisa Thomas
Source link -
Video highlights: U.S. curling, Jordan Stolz, hockey and more Saturday at 2026 Winter Olympics
[ad_1]
Saturday marks the final full day of competition at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. And what a day it is.Ten medals will be awarded Saturday, including men’s team aerials; men’s ski cross; men’s cross-country 50km mass start; mixed ski mountaineering relay; women’s biathlon 12.5km mass start; men’s and women’s speed skating mass start; women’s ski halfpipe; women’s two-woman bobsled; and men’s curling. The U.S. women’s curling team will play for bronze Saturday against Canada, a team they beat 9-8 in the third game of round-robin play. Jordan Stolz will seek to win another medal in these Games as he is expected to race in the men’s speed skating mass start.The Team USA duo Kaillie Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor will compete in the two-woman bobsled after the 41-year-old Meyers Taylor won her first career gold medal in the women’s monobob this past Monday. The U.S. will look to defend its gold medal from Beijing in the mixed team aerials. Watch all of the highlights from Saturday in Milan Cortina below. This story will be updated throughout the day. Can’t view the below videos? Click here.Team USA celebrates their figure skaters at the Winter HouseAfter a successful showing at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games, the U.S. figure skating team celebrated at the Winter House. Alysa Liu thanked her coaches for their support and the team toasted their success. Can’t view the below videos? Click here.Finland defeats Slovakia 6-1 to earn Olympic bronze medalThe Finland men’s hockey team defeated Slovakia 6-1 to earn bronze at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Can’t view the below videos? Click here.Gold medal game preview: United States vs. CanadaPierre McGuire previews the men’s hockey gold medal final between the United States and Canada, breaking down the key storylines across the ice ahead of the monumental matchup. Can’t view the below video? Click here. Canada wins first men’s curling gold since 2014For the first time in 12 years, Canada’s men’s curling team stood at the top of the podium as gold medalists at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Can’t view the below video? Click here.Nolte repeats two-woman gold, Humphries takes bronze for USAGermany’s Laura Nolte and push athlete Deborah Levi defended their two-woman gold medal in bobsled. Lisa Buckwitz took silver while Kaillie Humphries and Jasmine Jones took bronze. Can’t view the below video? Click here.The Olympic magic that unites people from all walks of lifeWith both towering highs and crushing lows, Mary Carillo reviews the spectrum of emotions on display at the Olympics and how the Games bring us closer together. Can’t view the below video? Click here. Emily Harrop and Thibault Anselmet lock up mixed relay goldIn the Winter Olympic debut of ski mountaineering’s mixed relay, France’s Emily Harrop and Thibault Anselmet won gold, while Americans Anna Gibson and Cam Smith pulled off an impressive fourth place finish. Can’t view the below video? Click here. Mia Manganello drifts to women’s mass start bronze in MilanIn the final Olympic race of her career, Mia Manganello put forth a clean and smart effort, coasting to a third-place finish. She’s now the only American to make an Olympic mass start podium. Can’t view the below video? Click here. Jorrit Bergsma soars to historic men’s mass start winAfter establishing a sizable lead early in the race, Jorrit Bergsma flew to the finish line nearly unchallenged, claiming his first Olympic win since 2014. At 40, he is now the oldest Olympic speed skating gold medalist. Can’t view the below video? Click here. Canada wins bronze with women’s curling win over Team USAWith a 10-7 win over Team USA in the bronze medal game of the Olympic women’s curling competition, Canada took home its first medal in the event since 2014. The U.S. leaves in 4th place, matching it’s best ever finish. Can’t view the below video? Click here. Klaebo achieves historic 6-for-6 gold medal GamesJohannes Hoesflot Klaebo won gold in the men’s cross-country skiing 50km race, securing a record-breaking sixth gold medal. The Norwegian is the most decorated gold medalist in a single Winter Olympics. Can’t view the below video? Click here. Norway sweeps men’s cross-country skiing 50km podiumNorway dominated the men’s cross-country skiing 50km race with Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo at the front of the pack, claiming a historic 6th gold medal. Martin Loewstroem Nyenget placed 2nd while Emil Iversen finished 3rd. Can’t view the below video? Click here.U.S. dominates in mixed team aerials for back-to-back goldKaila Kuhn, Connor Curran, and Chris Lillis won gold in mixed team aerials, the U.S.’ second consecutive Olympic gold in this event. The U.S. team defeated Switzerland by over 28 points while China snagged bronze. Can’t view the below video? Click here.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
Saturday marks the final full day of competition at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. And what a day it is.
Ten medals will be awarded Saturday, including men’s team aerials; men’s ski cross; men’s cross-country 50km mass start; mixed ski mountaineering relay; women’s biathlon 12.5km mass start; men’s and women’s speed skating mass start; women’s ski halfpipe; women’s two-woman bobsled; and men’s curling.
The U.S. women’s curling team will play for bronze Saturday against Canada, a team they beat 9-8 in the third game of round-robin play. Jordan Stolz will seek to win another medal in these Games as he is expected to race in the men’s speed skating mass start.
The Team USA duo Kaillie Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor will compete in the two-woman bobsled after the 41-year-old Meyers Taylor won her first career gold medal in the women’s monobob this past Monday. The U.S. will look to defend its gold medal from Beijing in the mixed team aerials.
Watch all of the highlights from Saturday in Milan Cortina below. This story will be updated throughout the day. Can’t view the below videos? Click here.
Team USA celebrates their figure skaters at the Winter House
After a successful showing at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games, the U.S. figure skating team celebrated at the Winter House. Alysa Liu thanked her coaches for their support and the team toasted their success. Can’t view the below videos? Click here.Finland defeats Slovakia 6-1 to earn Olympic bronze medal
The Finland men’s hockey team defeated Slovakia 6-1 to earn bronze at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Can’t view the below videos? Click here.Gold medal game preview: United States vs. Canada
Pierre McGuire previews the men’s hockey gold medal final between the United States and Canada, breaking down the key storylines across the ice ahead of the monumental matchup. Can’t view the below video? Click here.Canada wins first men’s curling gold since 2014
For the first time in 12 years, Canada’s men’s curling team stood at the top of the podium as gold medalists at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Can’t view the below video? Click here.Nolte repeats two-woman gold, Humphries takes bronze for USA
Germany’s Laura Nolte and push athlete Deborah Levi defended their two-woman gold medal in bobsled. Lisa Buckwitz took silver while Kaillie Humphries and Jasmine Jones took bronze. Can’t view the below video? Click here.The Olympic magic that unites people from all walks of life
With both towering highs and crushing lows, Mary Carillo reviews the spectrum of emotions on display at the Olympics and how the Games bring us closer together. Can’t view the below video? Click here.Emily Harrop and Thibault Anselmet lock up mixed relay gold
In the Winter Olympic debut of ski mountaineering’s mixed relay, France’s Emily Harrop and Thibault Anselmet won gold, while Americans Anna Gibson and Cam Smith pulled off an impressive fourth place finish. Can’t view the below video? Click here.Mia Manganello drifts to women’s mass start bronze in Milan
In the final Olympic race of her career, Mia Manganello put forth a clean and smart effort, coasting to a third-place finish. She’s now the only American to make an Olympic mass start podium. Can’t view the below video? Click here.Jorrit Bergsma soars to historic men’s mass start win
After establishing a sizable lead early in the race, Jorrit Bergsma flew to the finish line nearly unchallenged, claiming his first Olympic win since 2014. At 40, he is now the oldest Olympic speed skating gold medalist. Can’t view the below video? Click here.Canada wins bronze with women’s curling win over Team USA
With a 10-7 win over Team USA in the bronze medal game of the Olympic women’s curling competition, Canada took home its first medal in the event since 2014. The U.S. leaves in 4th place, matching it’s best ever finish. Can’t view the below video? Click here.Klaebo achieves historic 6-for-6 gold medal Games
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo won gold in the men’s cross-country skiing 50km race, securing a record-breaking sixth gold medal. The Norwegian is the most decorated gold medalist in a single Winter Olympics. Can’t view the below video? Click here.Norway sweeps men’s cross-country skiing 50km podium
Norway dominated the men’s cross-country skiing 50km race with Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo at the front of the pack, claiming a historic 6th gold medal. Martin Loewstroem Nyenget placed 2nd while Emil Iversen finished 3rd. Can’t view the below video? Click here.U.S. dominates in mixed team aerials for back-to-back gold
Kaila Kuhn, Connor Curran, and Chris Lillis won gold in mixed team aerials, the U.S.’ second consecutive Olympic gold in this event. The U.S. team defeated Switzerland by over 28 points while China snagged bronze. Can’t view the below video? Click here.[ad_2]
-
Alysa Liu brings fresh look: The two-time Olympic gold medalist with rings bleached in her hair
[ad_1]
Go do it again because you’re gonna do this so again anyway. See, I think it’s. Whoever said quitters never win, never met Alissa Liu. I was done *** year before I quit. I knew I wanted to be done way before I actually announced my retirement. Olympic bronze medalist on the outside, miserable teenager on the inside. I didn’t care for my choreography, the dresses, um, that was all kind of picked for me, um, so I started to think like why am I doing this? And I just wanted to see my friends, my family. I was 16, homesick. She retired to become *** teenager, trading the icy cold for the warmth of family and friends, hiking the Himalayas and college at UCLA. Like I wouldn’t even step in the rank, honestly, I was low key, *** little bit traumatized. With the entrance and the exit, but two years later, the athlete who had been the youngest US figure skating champ at 13 and the first US female figure skater to land *** quadruple jump in international competition. Unretired. Not everyone thought Alyssa coming out of retirement was *** good idea, starting with her coach. I said, Please don’t. I really did. I said, Please don’t respect your legacy. Philip De Gallielmo has coached Alyssa since she was 5. We had *** Zoom call for about 2 hours, and the story is I had *** lot of glasses of wine over that 2 hours, and she talked me into. Her comeback. Just 7 months of training and *** lot of selfies later, Alyssa Liu won *** world title in the sport she left as *** child but returned to as an adult. Nobody’s ever taken this time off, come back and won the world championships. I have *** perspective that not many of the athletes. Right now in the sport have so many people. Their goal is Olympics, and when they get there and it’s over, it’s like they don’t know what to do. You’ve known her since she was 5 years old. What’s the biggest difference now in the coaching relationship because now you got *** 20 year old adult. My 5 year old Alyssa, or 6 year old Alyssa didn’t talk back. She didn’t even talk. Now she likes to talk back. No, now she’s in charge. It’s about Alissa showing what it’s like to love what you’re doing so much that you become the best in the world at it. The best in the world while also being the happiest girl on the ice, proving two things can be true and sometimes quitting is the quickest way to winning again. On the road to Milan Cortina, I’m Deirdre Fitzpatrick.
Alysa Liu brings fresh look: The two-time Olympic gold medalist with rings bleached in her hair
Updated: 9:25 AM EST Feb 20, 2026
The 2026 Winter Olympics are full of eye-catching moments of athletic excellence – ski jumpers in the air like flying squirrels, Breezy Johnson’s gold-medal downhill finish, and Ilia Malinin at the apex of a backflip on ice.But they’re also an opportunity to admire athletes’ individual expression, and there’s no better event for it than figure skating.Two-time Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu’s fashion and accessories are shaking up typical skater looks – and they’re integral to her presence at the Games.The 20-year-old made history as the youngest women’s national champion in history at age 13, but three years later, she announced her retirement. Now, at age 20, not long after coming out of retirement, Liu is skating on her own terms, having rediscovered her love of skating. Accompanying her new era is a wardrobe that feels more like herself.”Someone called my style alternative, and I’d agree with that,” she told NBC.Liu stands out with her smiley piercing, which goes through the frenulum behind the upper lip and is only revealed when she smiles. Her hair is also breaking the mold among skaters, with thick stripes bleached blond. She’s been adding one halo, as she calls them, per year since 2023, saying the stripes are like rings on a tree.On the ice, Liu now chooses her training outfits and has more of a say in the designs she sports. She’s been photographed training in spiral-adorned tights, and her skating dress at a recent championship featured a jagged hemline and elements drawn from Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” music video.Part of what motivated her decision to retire at 16, she has said, was how little control she had over her own life.”All my memories from back then are gone. I have no idea how I felt in the moment. I have watched it, and I was crying, and I seemed super happy, so I guess I was very happy,” she told Elle, reflecting on her wins at ages 12 and 13. “I didn’t enjoy skating back then because I didn’t make my own programs, I didn’t design my own dresses — I was just following orders.”As a teenager, she said she “grew to hate figure skating” and the demands of her training schedule. “All I wanted was to be with my family and friends at home, and live like a normal teenage girl.” Now, she told the AP, “I have ideas and concepts that I want to share with the world, so I’m happy to be here, versus last time I was kind of like, ‘Let’s get this over with.’ Now I want be here, and I don’t want this to end.”As for nerves at this year’s Games, she’s calm, cool and collected.”I don’t know what’s up with me,” she said. “They’re going to actually have to dissect my brain when I’m dead and figure me out.”PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=
The 2026 Winter Olympics are full of eye-catching moments of athletic excellence – ski jumpers in the air like flying squirrels, Breezy Johnson’s gold-medal downhill finish, and Ilia Malinin at the apex of a backflip on ice.
But they’re also an opportunity to admire athletes’ individual expression, and there’s no better event for it than figure skating.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu’s fashion and accessories are shaking up typical skater looks – and they’re integral to her presence at the Games.
The 20-year-old made history as the youngest women’s national champion in history at age 13, but three years later, she announced her retirement.
Now, at age 20, not long after coming out of retirement, Liu is skating on her own terms, having rediscovered her love of skating. Accompanying her new era is a wardrobe that feels more like herself.
“Someone called my style alternative, and I’d agree with that,” she told NBC.
Liu stands out with her smiley piercing, which goes through the frenulum behind the upper lip and is only revealed when she smiles.
Her hair is also breaking the mold among skaters, with thick stripes bleached blond. She’s been adding one halo, as she calls them, per year since 2023, saying the stripes are like rings on a tree.
On the ice, Liu now chooses her training outfits and has more of a say in the designs she sports. She’s been photographed training in spiral-adorned tights, and her skating dress at a recent championship featured a jagged hemline and elements drawn from Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” music video.
Part of what motivated her decision to retire at 16, she has said, was how little control she had over her own life.
“All my memories from back then are gone. I have no idea how I felt in the moment. I have watched it, and I was crying, and I seemed super happy, so I guess I was very happy,” she told Elle, reflecting on her wins at ages 12 and 13. “I didn’t enjoy skating back then because I didn’t make my own programs, I didn’t design my own dresses — I was just following orders.”
As a teenager, she said she “grew to hate figure skating” and the demands of her training schedule. “All I wanted was to be with my family and friends at home, and live like a normal teenage girl.”
Now, she told the AP, “I have ideas and concepts that I want to share with the world, so I’m happy to be here, versus last time I was kind of like, ‘Let’s get this over with.’ Now I want be here, and I don’t want this to end.”
As for nerves at this year’s Games, she’s calm, cool and collected.
“I don’t know what’s up with me,” she said. “They’re going to actually have to dissect my brain when I’m dead and figure me out.”
[ad_2]
-
All the celebrities who showed up at the 2026 Winter Olympics
[ad_1]
All the celebrities who showed up at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Well, Hannah Percy, can you believe you’re here? No, I can’t believe it at all. What’s the most surreal thing that’s happened so far? Meeting Snoop Dogg. Yeah, that was pretty surreal. That was very surreal. What was that like for you? Uh, I’ve never met *** celebrity before, so definitely *** unique experience. Like he’s just *** regular guy, but like he’s famous. But yeah, he was as cool as I’ve ever imagined, and there’s so much like attention on you guys when you get here too. Is that *** little different? Yeah, I’ve never had this many people like wanna video me ever in my life, so many cameras. What does it feel like that something has such *** big goal is actually happening? I can’t believe I’m reaching this humongous goal in my life at only 18. I, I feel like I’m like the youngest person on the bordercross team here, and so it’s just, it’s very surreal, and I don’t even, I haven’t even taken time to process how I’m feeling yet. I think you’re having *** good time. I’m definitely having *** good time. I will remember this forever.
All the celebrities who showed up at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Updated: 9:59 AM PST Feb 19, 2026
From Usher to Snoop Dogg to George Clooney, here are all the celebrities who’ve been spotted in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
[ad_2]
-
How to Watch Switzerland vs Sweden: Live Stream Winter Olympics Women’s Hockey Bronze Medal Game, TV Channel
[ad_1]
Switzerland and Sweden face off in the women’s ice hockey third-place game of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina on Thursday, with both teams hoping to claim bronze.
How to Watch Switzerland vs Sweden
- When: Thursday, February 19, 2026
- Time: 8:40 AM ET
- TV Channel: Peacock Live (Re-air 12:00 PM ET on USA Network)
- Live Stream: Peacock (watch now)
Switzerland reached the bronze medal game after a narrow 2–1 loss to defending champion Canada in the semifinals, with goaltender Andrea Brändli making 44 saves and the team remaining competitive despite being outshot. Switzerland’s path to this stage included a regulation win over Finland in the quarterfinals and a gritty performance in the semifinal, and veterans Alina Müller and captain Lara Stalder have been key offensive leaders for the Swiss. Their semifinal effort showed the team’s ability to stay competitive against top opponents, and they now seek to secure only their second Olympic women’s hockey medal in history.
Sweden enters the bronze medal game after falling 5–0 to the United States in the other semifinal, ending their run for a gold medal bid but still showcasing strong scoring through the preliminary round, where they outscored opponents 18–2. Sweden was the top team in Group B and reached the semifinals by defeating Czechia in the quarterfinals; forwards Sara Hjalmarsson and Lina Ljungblom, along with defense contributions from Maja Nylén Persson and captain Anna Kjellbin, have been central to Sweden’s production. Sweden is aiming for its first Olympic women’s hockey medal since 2006, while the Swiss seek to add a second bronze to their Olympic history, setting up a competitive medal-day matchup.
This is a great Winter Games ice hockey matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
Live Stream Switzerland vs Sweden Bronze Medal Game with Peacock: Start your subscription now!
Peacock is the official streaming home of the 2026 Winter Olympics, providing the ultimate experience by broadcasting nearly every major event in Milano Cortina so that you never miss any of the action. With a subscription, you can watch events throughout the entire Winter Games on your television, mobile device, or tablet on channels like NBC, USA Network, and Peacock Live.
Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
[ad_2]
-
Elana Meyers Taylor nearly lost hope. Her team, her husband and the Spurs helped her to Olympic gold
[ad_1]
It was a couple of weeks before Christmas. Elana Meyers Taylor was in Norway, prepping for a World Cup bobsled weekend. Things were going horribly. Her body was hurting, she wondered if she was doing right by her two deaf children, and the racing results were, well, bad.So, she texted her husband. The message: I’m done.”This is just impossible,” the U.S. bobsledding great wrote. “It’s never going to work.”Funny how an Olympic gold medal changes things. Barely two months after nearly quitting — her husband, former bobsledder Nic Taylor, flew to Norway after those texts to talk her out of it — Meyers Taylor won the women’s monobob gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games. And she was back on the ice Tuesday, prepping with Jadin O’Brien for the two-woman race that starts Friday.”The only thing that has really changed is I’m sleep-deprived now,” Meyers Taylor said. “I’m an Olympic gold medalist with a lack of sleep.”That’s a good problem to have.At 41, she became the oldest woman to win an individual gold medal in Winter Games history. (Anette Norberg, then 43, was on the Swedish team that won curling gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games.) Meyers Taylor’s sixth career Olympic medal tied Bonnie Blair for the most by a U.S. woman in the Winter Games, and it also extended her record for most medals by a Black woman in the winter showcase.”Oh, I don’t think I’m going to process this for a while,” Meyers Taylor said. “There were so many moments during this entire season, during this past four years, that we just thought it was impossible, or I thought it wasn’t possible. My team around me believed in me the entire time.”Turns out, so did her husband’s team. Nic Taylor is now a performance coach and works with the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs. When a Spurs player — the couple won’t say who — learned Meyers Taylor was struggling, Nic Taylor was gifted a plane ticket and told go to Norway immediately.Without that gift, who knows what would have happened.”As soon as I saw that E had won, I just started screaming, jumping, hugging anyone who was close. Almost passed out because I was excited,” said O’Brien, a bobsled rookie who was recruited to the team last fall by Meyers Taylor — and now is an Olympian. “Without a doubt, the coolest sports moment I’ve ever been part of.”To put that praise in perspective — “the coolest sports moment” she’s ever been part of — consider that O’Brien won three NCAA indoor track championships in pentathlon at Notre Dame and was a 10-time All-American there.”Yeah, that’s saying something,” O’Brien said. “It was beyond incredible.”Meyers Taylor, just in case, spent part of Monday before the final two monobob runs teaching her two sons sign language for various terms — like gold medal, and Olympic champion. She insists that she didn’t think they would actually need to use them.They’re going to get used a lot going forward. The boys — Nico, 5, and Noah, 3 — evidently knew what was happening. The coolest thing that happened in Day 1 as a gold medalist, Meyers Taylor said, was Noah putting on the gold medal.”He knew. He started signing, ‘Noah, champion,’” Meyers Taylor said. “I didn’t get it on video because he wasn’t wearing pants, of course, because what toddler wants to wear pants?”It’s somewhat understandable that Meyers Taylor didn’t think her kids would need to know terms like “gold medal.” Her results this season didn’t exactly make it seem likely.She was 10th in the World Cup monobob standings; eight women won medals on the circuit this winter and she wasn’t one of them. Her average finish was 10th and her result at Cortina during a race on the Olympic track in November was 19th — a whopping 2.43 seconds behind the winning time.And her Olympic history was simultaneously filled with heartbreak and accomplishment. At the 2014 Sochi Games, she led Kaillie Humphries Armbruster — then from Canada, now her U.S. teammate and the bronze medalist on Monday night — going into the final run of the two-woman race. She lost the final run by 0.21 seconds, enough to lose the gold medal by 0.10 seconds. Then at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, she lost the two-woman race by 0.07 seconds.Monday’s race was even closer — the margin between Meyers Taylor and silver medalist Laura Nolte of Germany was just 0.04 seconds.But this time, she got it done.”That’s a moment I’ve been working for every four years and that’s why I came back is for that moment, to be on that start line and feel that again,” Meyers Taylor said. “That is a crazy addictive feeling and I don’t know where I’m going to get it from after I leave this sport.”There’s the retirement talk again.She and her husband want a third child. Meyers Taylor has said countless times that she feels lucky to have her kids on tour, but it’s a daunting task, even with a nanny there to assist. Traveling with three might be too much.Besides, there’s nothing else to prove. She’s won everything the sport offers.”I was determined to keep fighting, determined to just put down the best runs I could,” Meyers Taylor said. “And look what happened.”
It was a couple of weeks before Christmas. Elana Meyers Taylor was in Norway, prepping for a World Cup bobsled weekend. Things were going horribly. Her body was hurting, she wondered if she was doing right by her two deaf children, and the racing results were, well, bad.
So, she texted her husband. The message: I’m done.
“This is just impossible,” the U.S. bobsledding great wrote. “It’s never going to work.”
Funny how an Olympic gold medal changes things. Barely two months after nearly quitting — her husband, former bobsledder Nic Taylor, flew to Norway after those texts to talk her out of it — Meyers Taylor won the women’s monobob gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games. And she was back on the ice Tuesday, prepping with Jadin O’Brien for the two-woman race that starts Friday.
“The only thing that has really changed is I’m sleep-deprived now,” Meyers Taylor said. “I’m an Olympic gold medalist with a lack of sleep.”
That’s a good problem to have.
At 41, she became the oldest woman to win an individual gold medal in Winter Games history. (Anette Norberg, then 43, was on the Swedish team that won curling gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games.) Meyers Taylor’s sixth career Olympic medal tied Bonnie Blair for the most by a U.S. woman in the Winter Games, and it also extended her record for most medals by a Black woman in the winter showcase.
“Oh, I don’t think I’m going to process this for a while,” Meyers Taylor said. “There were so many moments during this entire season, during this past four years, that we just thought it was impossible, or I thought it wasn’t possible. My team around me believed in me the entire time.”
Turns out, so did her husband’s team. Nic Taylor is now a performance coach and works with the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs. When a Spurs player — the couple won’t say who — learned Meyers Taylor was struggling, Nic Taylor was gifted a plane ticket and told go to Norway immediately.
Without that gift, who knows what would have happened.
“As soon as I saw that E had won, I just started screaming, jumping, hugging anyone who was close. Almost passed out because I was excited,” said O’Brien, a bobsled rookie who was recruited to the team last fall by Meyers Taylor — and now is an Olympian. “Without a doubt, the coolest sports moment I’ve ever been part of.”
To put that praise in perspective — “the coolest sports moment” she’s ever been part of — consider that O’Brien won three NCAA indoor track championships in pentathlon at Notre Dame and was a 10-time All-American there.
“Yeah, that’s saying something,” O’Brien said. “It was beyond incredible.”
Meyers Taylor, just in case, spent part of Monday before the final two monobob runs teaching her two sons sign language for various terms — like gold medal, and Olympic champion. She insists that she didn’t think they would actually need to use them.
They’re going to get used a lot going forward. The boys — Nico, 5, and Noah, 3 — evidently knew what was happening. The coolest thing that happened in Day 1 as a gold medalist, Meyers Taylor said, was Noah putting on the gold medal.
“He knew. He started signing, ‘Noah, champion,’” Meyers Taylor said. “I didn’t get it on video because he wasn’t wearing pants, of course, because what toddler wants to wear pants?”
It’s somewhat understandable that Meyers Taylor didn’t think her kids would need to know terms like “gold medal.” Her results this season didn’t exactly make it seem likely.
She was 10th in the World Cup monobob standings; eight women won medals on the circuit this winter and she wasn’t one of them. Her average finish was 10th and her result at Cortina during a race on the Olympic track in November was 19th — a whopping 2.43 seconds behind the winning time.
And her Olympic history was simultaneously filled with heartbreak and accomplishment. At the 2014 Sochi Games, she led Kaillie Humphries Armbruster — then from Canada, now her U.S. teammate and the bronze medalist on Monday night — going into the final run of the two-woman race. She lost the final run by 0.21 seconds, enough to lose the gold medal by 0.10 seconds. Then at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, she lost the two-woman race by 0.07 seconds.
Monday’s race was even closer — the margin between Meyers Taylor and silver medalist Laura Nolte of Germany was just 0.04 seconds.
But this time, she got it done.
“That’s a moment I’ve been working for every four years and that’s why I came back is for that moment, to be on that start line and feel that again,” Meyers Taylor said. “That is a crazy addictive feeling and I don’t know where I’m going to get it from after I leave this sport.”
There’s the retirement talk again.
She and her husband want a third child. Meyers Taylor has said countless times that she feels lucky to have her kids on tour, but it’s a daunting task, even with a nanny there to assist. Traveling with three might be too much.
Besides, there’s nothing else to prove. She’s won everything the sport offers.
“I was determined to keep fighting, determined to just put down the best runs I could,” Meyers Taylor said. “And look what happened.”
[ad_2]
-
Mikhail Shaidorov lands massive payday after stunning Illia Malinin
[ad_1]
Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov pulled off a major upset in the Winter Olympics, taking the gold medal in the men’s singles ice skating competition.
The United States’ Ilia Malinin was the heavy favorite to capture gold, especially after acing the first part of his program, with the free skate set to be his crowning moment, but two tumbles netted him an eighth-place finish, not even on the podium.
Shaidorov benefited from Malinin’s tumbles, along with the mistakes of others as well, which opened up a gap for him to fill, and he delivered the best performance on the day.
With his victory, Shaidorov is earning a strong reputation worldwide and a nice payday, as his home nation will give him a notable reward.
According to the Sports Business Journal, athletes who win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics for Kazakhstan receive $250,000, the most among all nations.
Shaidorov, along with the additional sponsorship money he will no doubt receive, will get the big paycheck from the Kazakhstan federation, rewarding him for putting the nation on the top step.
What else did Shaidorov get for his gold medal?
Kazakhstan singer Dimash Qudaibergen congratulated the skater on his feat and promised to give him a new car.
“Dear Misha, my brother! Congratulations on your Olympic gold! Your movement and mastery on the ice today have made you not just a champion – you have become a great man who has given the entire country hope, spirit, and inspiration,” Qudaibergen said in a statement on Instagram.
“You did not let down Denis, the pride of our country, my friend, your brother, whom our nation sadly lost. You fulfilled your duty to him, to the country, and to the people with honor and at the highest level.
“May your path on the ice continue to be bright and full of inspiration. Conquer the world with your art and reach new heights!
A special thank you for choosing a song performed by me at the Olympics – you truly made me happy as well. Thank you so much!
“In this regard, I would personally like to give you a small gift: an iron horse. Come to Astana Motors when, God willing, we both return to the country. A car from me!”
[ad_2]
-
2026 Winter Olympics: Meet the medalists from the United States
[ad_1]
Meet all the medalists from the United States at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. And catch up on all the latest Olympic news here.
GOLD and BRONZE: Elana Taylor Meyers and Kaillie Humphries Armbruster, bobsleigh, women’s monobob
United States’ gold medalist Elana Meyers Taylor, left, and United States’ bronze medalist Kaillie Armbruster Humphries, right, pose with their medals after the women’s monobob competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Elana Meyers Taylor won her first Olympic gold in women’s monobob, and she made history as the oldest American woman to do it at the Winter Games. She rallied in the final heat on Feb. 16 and dropped to her knees in tears. Kaillie Humphries Armbruster took bronze for the United States. Meyers Taylor already owned five Olympic medals, but she had never won gold. Her sixth medal ties Bonnie Blair for the most by a U.S. woman at the Winter Games.
GOLD: Jordan Stolz, speedskating, men’s 500 meters
Gold medallist Jordan Stolz of the U.S. celebrates after winning the men’s 500 meters at the Winter Olympics on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, in Milan. (Luca Bruno/AP) Jordan Stolz won his second speedskating gold medal of the Milan Cortina Olympics by finishing first in the 500 meters in an Olympic-record time on Feb. 14. The 21-year-old from Wisconsin was coming off a victory in the 1,000, the first of his four individual events in Milan. The men’s record for most speedskating titles at one Olympics is the five by Eric Heiden in 1980 in Lake Placid, N.Y. Stolz beat 500 world champion Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands, who took the silver.
SILVER AND BRONZE: Jaelin Kauf and Elizabeth Lemley, freestyle skiing, women’s dual moguls
Silver medalist Jaelin Kauf, left, and bronze medalist Elizabeth Lemley, both of the United States, celebrate after the women’s freestyle skiing dual moguls finals at the Winter Olympics on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, , in Livigno, Italy. (Abbie Parr/AP) Skiing through a heavy snowstorm, American Jaelin Kauf captured her third Olympic silver medal and second of these Games, and teammate Elizabeth Lemley added bronze to go with the gold she won earlier in the week. They each won their second medals in four days despite falling in their semifinal rounds. Australia’s Jakara Anthony took the gold.
SILVER: Chloe Kim, snowboarding, women’s halfpipe
Silver medalist Chloe Kim laughs while trying to display the American flag after the women’s snowboarding halfpipe finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, in Livigno, Italy. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Chloe Kim fell short in her bid to become the first Olympic snowboarder to win three consecutive gold medals, finishing second to Choi Gaon of South Korea in the women’s halfpipe on Feb. 12. Choi, 17, bounced back from an ugly crash to jump into the lead with a score of 90.25 on her final run. Kim had one more shot to get back on top, but the 25-year-old American wiped out on her last of three runs to settle for silver.
BRONZE: Jessie Diggins, cross-country skiing, women’s 10-km freestyle
Jessie Diggins of the United States celebrates after winning the bronze medal, while gold medalist Frida Karlsson of Sweden looks on, after the women’s 10-km cross-country skiing interval start free at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, in Tesero, Italy. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Jessie Diggins battled through bruised ribs suffered in the opening race to claim bronze on Feb. 12 in the women’s 10‑kilometer interval start, a race dominated by Sweden’s Frida Karlsson as she won her second gold medal. The 34-year-old Diggins, racing in her final season, collapsed to the ground, shouting in pain after finishing the freestyle race and adding to her gold, silver and bronze career medal tally.
SILVER: Madison Chock and Evan Bates, figure skating, mixed ice dance
Silver medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States skate with their medals after competing in the ice dancing free skate at the 2026 Winter Olympics, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Milan. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) In a controversial judging decision, France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron answered a season-best free dance by the dominant American duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates with a season best of their own on Feb. 11, giving them 225.82 points and the top step of the podium. Chock and Bates finished with 224.39 and a bittersweet silver medal after having lost just four times in the four years since they finished fourth at the Beijing Games. Cizeron made several mistakes while Chock and Bates were nearly perfect. Yet the French judge favored the French skaters by nearly eight points in the free dance, while five of the nine judges favored the American team.
GOLD: Jordan Stolz, speedskating, men’s 1,000 meters
Gold medalist Jordan Stolz of the U.S. celebrates after the men’s 1,000-meter speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Milan. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Wisconsin native Jordan Stolz, 21, will hope to add to his collection of trophies as he entered three more events in Milan. In winning the 1,000 meters in 1 minute, 6.28 seconds on Feb. 11, Stolz didn’t threaten his world record of 1:05.37 but did better the Olympic standard of 1:07.18 that had stood since 2002 — before Stolz was born.
GOLD AND SILVER: Elizabeth Lemley and Jaelin Kauf, freestyle skiing, women’s moguls
Silver medalist Jaelin Kauf of the United States, from left, gold medalist Elizabeth Lemley of the U.S. and bronze medalist Perrine Laffont of France pose for a victory selfie during the medal ceremony for the women’s freestyle skiing moguls at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Feb. 11, 2026, in Livigno, Italy. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Elizabeth Lemley, 20 — nicknamed “Lizard” by her teammates — landed an unbeatable run to lead a 1-2 finish for the red, white and blue in the women’s moguls on Feb. 11. Lemley topped the eight-skier final with a score of 82.30 points, right in front of countrywoman Jaelin Kauf, who successfully defended her silver medal from Beijing with a score of 80.77. Perrine Laffont of France, the 2018 champion, took bronze.
SILVER: Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Alpine skiing, men’s super-G
Silver medalist Ryan Cochran-Siegle of the United States attends the podium ceremony for the men’s super-G race at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday, Feb.11, 2026, in Bormio, Italy. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Ryan Cochran-Siegle’s latest silver medal was inspired by his mother and powered by maple syrup. The 33-year-old Vermont captured his second straight Olympic super-G silver on Feb. 11 when he finished 0.13 seconds behind winner Franjo von Allmen of Switzerland. Before the race, a little fuel of maple syrup — which, like ski racing, has become the family business (Cochran’s Slopeside Syrup). In the stands to cheer him on was his mother, Barbara Cochran, who won Olympic gold in the slalom at the 1972 Sapporo Games.
SILVER: Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, curling, mixed doubles
The United States’ Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin wave on the podium after winning the silver medal in mixed doubles curling at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu) Swedish siblings Isabella and Rasmus Wranå took the gold medal with a 6-5 win on Feb. 10, but the American pair of Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin made history as the first U.S. team to medal in Olympic mixed doubles, and Thiesse is the first American woman to medal in Olympic curling.
SILVER: Ben Ogden, cross-country skiing, men’s sprint classic
Ben Ogden of the United States crosses the finish line to win the silver medal in the cross-country skiing men’s sprint classic at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Tesero, Italy. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) Ben Ogden finished 0.8 seconds behind the defending gold medalist, Norwegian cross-country ski star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, in the men’s sprint on Feb. 10.
SILVER: Alex Hall, freestyle skiing, men’s freeski slopestyle
Silver medalist Alex Hall of the United States, from left, gold medalist Birk Ruud of Norway and bronze medalist Luca Harrington of New Zealand celebrate after the men’s freestyle skiing slopestyle finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Livigno, Italy. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Alex Hall’s silver medal in men’s freeski slopestyle on Feb. 10 goes with the gold he won four years ago in Beijing, even though he said everything he tried this time was more difficult. Visibility on the mountain created challenging conditions for all the skiers.
BRONZE: Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan, Alpine skiing, women’s team combined
The United States’ Jacqueline Wiles, left, and Paula Moltzan show their bronze medals after the women’s team combined event at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) The U.S. pair of Jaqueline Wiles (downhill) and Paula Moltzan (slalom) took bronze in the women’s team combined on Feb. 10, beating out the other American team of Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson by 0.06 for the podium.
BRONZE: Ashley Farquharson, luge, women’s singles
U.S. bronze medalist Ashley Farquharson celebrates after the women’s single luge competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Ashley Farquharson, who started sliding as an after-school activity when she was a little kid in Park City, Utah, won the bronze medal in women’s singles on Feb. 10, representing a seventh Olympic medal for USA Luge.
GOLD: Team figure skating
From left, Evan Bates, Madison Chock, Ilia Malinin, Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, Ellie Kim and Danny O’Shea of Team USA celebrate winning the gold medal in the figure skating team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Milan. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Ilia Malinin beat Japanese rival Shun Sato in a head-to-head showdown at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 8, helping the U.S. defend its team figure skating gold medal by breaking a deadlock with Japan in the final session of the competition.
GOLD: Breezy Johnson, Alpine skiing, women’s downhill
Gold medalist Breezy Johnson poses for a photo during the medal ceremony for the women’s downhill on Feb. 8, 2026, at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Ski racer Breezy Johnson won the Olympic downhill on Feb. 8 with a hard-charging run on a day marred by teammate Lindsey Vonn’s crash that saw her being taken off the mountain in a helicopter. The 30-year-old Johnson joins Vonn, 41, as the only American women to win the Olympic downhill.
Associated Press contributed.
[ad_2]
Chicago Tribune
Source link -
Jutta Leerdam makes surprising admission about Olympic Medal win
[ad_1]
After capturing a gold medal in her first event at the Milano Cortina Olympics, Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam entered Sunday’s women’s speed skating 500m race looking to capture her second.
However, this time, her teammate, Femke Kok of Team Netherlands, set an Olympic record to finish first and win gold. Leerdam was right there with her, crossing the finish line in second place and claiming a silver medal for her second medal of the two events she would compete in.
While Leerdam didn’t win gold, capturing another medal was still a thrilling moment, as her fiancé, Jake Paul, was among the spectators cheering her on and celebrating the finish. Several hours after the race concluded, Leerdam shared a surprising update with fans on social media.
Read more: Jake Paul Reacts to Jutta Leerdam Missing Gold in Olympic Speed Skating
Taking to her Instagram Story, Leerdam shared the IG post below, which celebrates her silver medal win on Sunday. However, she included a message on her IG Story slide, admitting she wasn’t 100 percent ahead of the race.
“What a day, I woke up sick yesterday. I don’t know how I pulled this off but glad I did,” she wrote, admitting to the significant challenge she faced ahead of winning her second medal.
In Sunday’s 500m race, Leerdam achieved a second-place time of 37.15 just ahead of bronze medalist Miho Takagi of Japan, who recorded a 37.27 time. Kok set the new Olympic record with her first-place time of 36.49 in the race.
Last week, Leerdam set an Olympic record, finishing with a time of 1:12.31 to claim the gold medal in the women’s 1000m speed skating event.
Her teammate, Femke Kok, finished second in that race’s results to win the silver, while Takagi won bronze there as well.
Along with her other Instagram updates, Leerdam shared a fun video of her and fiancé Jake Paul celebrating the joyous occasion of her winning two medals in Milano Cortina, Italy. The couple cozies up in the back of a fancy car with stars on the ceiling.
As upbeat music plays, Leerdam and Paul kiss before she shows off her two medals, and the couple dances around in their seats to the music.
Paul and Leerdam have been together since April 2023, when they made their relationship Instagram official. Paul proposed to Leerdam in March 2025, and they’ve remained engaged since then.
Sunday’s race was the final one of the 2026 Winter Olympics for Leerdam. Team Netherlands is currently behind the United States and tied for fourth place in the medal count with Sweden, with each country at 11 medals.
Read more: Mikaela Shiffrin Suffers Disheartening Olympics Results in Giant Slalom
For more about the Winter Olympics, head over to Newsweek Sports.
[ad_2]
-
Gettyimages.com Is the Best Website on the Internet Right Now
[ad_1]
Every four years, we all get a reminder about why still photography is an urgently important art form that must be preserved at any cost: the high-effort Olympic figure skater face, which is always best enjoyed by clicking around the Getty Images site.
You, the person reading this, are a slob who cannot do what these athletes are doing or even conceive of how they use their feeble, breakable human bodies to do it. Just as inconceivable is the idea of doing this in front of an audience, a table of judges, and an army of photographers capturing your grace or clumsiness, success or failure, and everything beautiful or—as the case may be—hideous about your face and body engaged in this famously most competitive of competitive sports.
But look at them ahahahahaha! They’re like “Yergh!!” “Hunnhhh!” Hahahahaha.
And look, we in the U.S. were all shocked by the dramatic poor performance of Ilia Malinin, and there’s nothing to laugh at there. Fortunately, thanks to the quick reflexes and finely honed professional instincts of international sports photographers, there’s no shortage of comedy coming from these Winter Olympics. Just when you think you’ve seen the last funny one, there are hundreds more, often hilarious and astonishing at the same time.
Adam Siao Him Fa of France © Image Photo Agency/Getty Images Getty photos, of course, cost money to use without a watermark, but the site itself gives the casual internet user unfettered access to its compulsively scroll-able watermarked library. Searching “figure skating” (I use quotation marks for the search, personally), hitting “EDITORIAL,” and sorting by “Newest” rather than “Best match” gets you the unfiltered feed of photos for sale to media organizations.
You may have to click past a few results pages of unrelated speed skating photos (Ugh!), but you’ll know when you’ve struck a vein of the good stuff, and then the joy begins. The internet used to just be like this, remember?
Getty Images could probably paywall access to the figure skating photos if it liked money, but fortunately it hasn’t done that which means you get to enjoy the fruits of the Men’s solo events, which have already happened, and watch the photos roll in from the pairs competition today and the women’s events all this coming week, all for free.
And if you see a sports photographer today, don’t forget to thank them for their service.
[ad_2]
Mike Pearl
Source link
