It’s been a minute since I’ve posted things I’m “loving lately.” I started writing it and my first of five was the Olympics and especially the amazing sportsmanship and team love among women in particular. As I started writing, I realized that I had so many things I loved watching these Olympics, I’m dedicating a whole post to it!
5 Things I LOVED About the 2026 Winter Olympics
The JOY! Some of the best athletes in the world seem to have found joy in their sports again. The “Blade Angels” and especially Alysa Liu were obviously having so much fun. Athletes from non-traditional winter sport locations are celebrating being at the Olympics and other athletes and fans are sharing their joy. I’m here for this!
The Sportsmanship and Team Support – After finishing second, Chloe Kim was the first to hug the winner of the gold – her protege. After a disastrous skate, Ilia Malinin was the first to hug and congratulate the stunned gold medalist and was in the stands cheering for the US women like crazy. Mikaela Shiffrin heaped praise on her teammates after finishing out of the medals in her first two events. The cross country skiers waiting for and hugging every finisher. And on and on and on! It makes me happy and gives me hope. I can’t get enough of it!
The Resilience – Figure Skater Amber Glenn missed an element in the short program and wound up in 13th place. Though devastated, she came back in the free skate program to 5th place and led up until the last 4 skaters. Mikaela Shiffrin finished out of medal contention in her first two events but won gold in her third. Cross Country Skier Jessie Diggins got a bronze medal with a bruised rib. There was so much grit on display!
Seeing Older Athletes Succeed – Seeing Elana Meyers Taylor finally win gold in her 6th Olympics in bobsled at age 41. 54 year old Rich Ruohonen, a personal injury lawyer from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, who spent more than four decades chasing the Olympic dream. He tried out six times and this was the first time he made it.
The Love for Our Country – Despite Current Challenges – The US athletes, many who are very young, are expressing a deep love of our country and the core values of freedom and democracy. Many of the athletes are children of immigrants and are reminding us of why their families came to America for a better life. We have a lot to be proud of.
And one thing I’m not loving… As always, the focus on Men’s sports first. Men’s Hockey is a prime time sport, but Women’s is not. Olympic Men’s Hockey is filled with pros (the only cool thing to me is that they represent a wide variety of countries and compete with each other) and bros. Women’s is filled with collegiate athletes and many amazing women who juggle other careers.
Have you been watching? Please tell me what you’re loving about the Olympics in the comments.
I’m linking up with Darlene, Michelle, Renee and Jenn, for Fit Five Friday. Join us!
Have a great weekend!