2026 Winter Olympics - discussion thread

[OgNasty]

Yesterday Jutta Leerdam yesterday won gold in 1000m speed skating and reached new Olympic record. She is one of best in this sports, but I had no idea that her boyfriend is Jake Paul:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUi-wmiDaSF/?utm_source=ig_embed

The only reason I’ve heard of her is because of Jake Paul. Pretty cool that she took home the gold. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s pregnant in a couple months and her and Jake retire from sports to raise a family and be social media influencers.

[TopTort777]

Yesterday Jutta Leerdam yesterday won gold in 1000m speed skating and reached new Olympic record.

Missed that point. Even though Winter Olympic games have same level of importance as Summer, during winter games less athletes participate, and less World and Olympic records are set. During current games, there are only 4 new Olympic records yet set. Comparing Winter 2022 and Summer 2024 games, during winter only 17 Olympic and 2 world records were set vs 32 World and 125 Olympic at Summer. Summer have 3 times more disciplines, but number of records set are much higher. Does it makes Winter disciplines more complicated?

[LFC_Bitcoin]

I have no interest in Winter Olympics at all but I must admit, I have enjoyed the Jutte Leerdam footage
What an athlete she is, a real specimen. Jake Paul is a very lucky man.

[Daniel91]

The 2026 Winter Olympics look amazing! I always think the Winter Olympics get under-discussed.

Will these new skiing events be truly groundbreaking, or are they just gaining more visibility now? And is the scoring more based on technique/score or time?

It's quite curious with the UAE making its debut as well. Will they just participate, or do they have a chance at a medal?

And the NHL hiatus changes everything in hockey, right? Who do you think is the favorite?

Do you usually watch the opening ceremony or just the main events?

I posted my questions in this thread because I'm quite curious. To be honest, I don't watch much, but I'd like to get into the swing of things, i.e., on the ice, to make it more interesting to watch... 

I agree. Although fewer countries and athletes participate in the Winter Olympics than the Summer Olympics, you can still enjoy great competitions.
Personally, the most emotional thing for me was watching Lindsey Vonn, who I've been following for 20 years, and it's truly horrible what happened to her, a real tragedy.
The last few days I've been in quite a crowd and I only had time in the evenings, so I mostly watched ice skating and I really enjoyed the great performances.
Ice skating, with beautiful dances and music, is a true art and a joy to watch.

[Mindyspace]

...

As debutants I doubt they have any chances to get a medal. But they will get valuable experience. I think if they manage to persuade their sport committee with performance, I think they might get a huge budget for preparation for next Olympic games. Its hard to get any medals among athletes, that were getting medals for years. If they get in top20-30 (I am lazy to check their performance tbh ) by the end that will be very cool, because there are 300+ athletes that qualified.

That makes sense, the Olympic experience is already a huge reward for someone starting out. And that kind of performance can really open doors to more support and funding. But there are also cases of athletes who explode onto the scene right in their first Olympics…

...

I agree. Although fewer countries and athletes participate in the Winter Olympics than the Summer Olympics, you can still enjoy great competitions.
Personally, the most emotional thing for me was watching Lindsey Vonn, who I've been following for 20 years, and it's truly horrible what happened to her, a real tragedy.
The last few days I've been in quite a crowd and I only had time in the evenings, so I mostly watched ice skating and I really enjoyed the great performances.
Ice skating, with beautiful dances and music, is a true art and a joy to watch.

I completely agree, even with fewer countries and athletes, the Winter Olympics still deliver a lot of good things to watch. Lindsey Vonn's story is truly sad, especially for those who have followed her for a long time; it's quite heartbreaking, isn't it?

And figure skating is incredible; it feels more like a spectacle than a competition. The mix of technique, music, and emotion is incredibly captivating. I'm always amazed by how easily they make the difficulty seem.

[LTU_btc]

Finally hockey tournament started and now a bit unexpected Slovakia took a lead vs Finland, but while I was typing score become 1:1 and there is more than half of match remaining. Later today Sweden vs hosts Italy, probably only question about the game is how many goals Sweden will score.

Missed that point. Even though Winter Olympic games have same level of importance as Summer, during winter games less athletes participate, and less World and Olympic records are set. During current games, there are only 4 new Olympic records yet set. Comparing Winter 2022 and Summer 2024 games, during winter only 17 Olympic and 2 world records were set vs 32 World and 125 Olympic at Summer. Summer have 3 times more disciplines, but number of records set are much higher. Does it makes Winter disciplines more complicated?

I think answer is very simple - in winter Olympics there isn't many sports where records is counted. You can't count records in all kind of skiing, snowboarding, biathlon or bobsleigh events because tracks at every Olympic games is different. While in Summer Olympics there is same standard stadiums or swimming pools

It's quite curious with the UAE making its debut as well. Will they just participate, or do they have a chance at a medal?

And the NHL hiatus changes everything in hockey, right? Who do you think is the favorite?

Do you usually watch the opening ceremony or just the main events?

I posted my questions in this thread because I'm quite curious. To be honest, I don't watch much, but I'd like to get into the swing of things, i.e., on the ice, to make it more interesting to watch... 

Only chance for exotic countries like UAE to win something - giving citizenships to athletes from Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Canada, USA). A bit strange that they're still not doing it.
NHL players in Olympics doesn't changes power ballance because all teams got much stronger. On paper it should be between USA and Canada, but I'm a bit sceptical about USA - they don't have much success in several recent decades.
I mentioned my favourite sports in first post here, but I'm trying to follow Olympics all day long, event after event.

[TopTort777]

However, we always see that small countries manage to get medals. In medal table, a country that has 1 medal, are usually a small country without a huge budget to spend on sport. I cant say that it was a miracle that they took a medal, then its a skill and talent after all that allow them to take medal from top countries. I can suggest UAE to continue participating, and maybe in 20 years they would surprise us with performance.

Finland vs Sweden ice hockey game will be tomorrow at 13:10. I think I am going to miss that, impossible to watch at work. But Canada vs Switzerland at 22:10 I am watching definitely !

[fikrett]

I have no interest in Winter Olympics at all but I must admit, I have enjoyed the Jutte Leerdam footage
What an athlete she is, a real specimen. Jake Paul is a very lucky man.

I looked up how she looks, in terms of muscle and other stuff - maybe.. All the rest.. nah, I wouldn't call him lucky, but well-adjusted for the future

[Daniel91]

Finally hockey tournament started and now a bit unexpected Slovakia took a lead vs Finland, but while I was typing score become 1:1 and there is more than half of match remaining. Later today Sweden vs hosts Italy, probably only question about the game is how many goals Sweden will score.

Missed that point. Even though Winter Olympic games have same level of importance as Summer, during winter games less athletes participate, and less World and Olympic records are set. During current games, there are only 4 new Olympic records yet set. Comparing Winter 2022 and Summer 2024 games, during winter only 17 Olympic and 2 world records were set vs 32 World and 125 Olympic at Summer. Summer have 3 times more disciplines, but number of records set are much higher. Does it makes Winter disciplines more complicated?

I think answer is very simple - in winter Olympics there isn't many sports where records is counted. You can't count records in all kind of skiing, snowboarding, biathlon or bobsleigh events because tracks at every Olympic games is different. While in Summer Olympics there is same standard stadiums or swimming pools

It's quite curious with the UAE making its debut as well. Will they just participate, or do they have a chance at a medal?

And the NHL hiatus changes everything in hockey, right? Who do you think is the favorite?

Do you usually watch the opening ceremony or just the main events?

I posted my questions in this thread because I'm quite curious. To be honest, I don't watch much, but I'd like to get into the swing of things, i.e., on the ice, to make it more interesting to watch... 

Only chance for exotic countries like UAE to win something - giving citizenships to athletes from Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Canada, USA). A bit strange that they're still not doing it.
NHL players in Olympics doesn't changes power ballance because all teams got much stronger. On paper it should be between USA and Canada, but I'm a bit sceptical about USA - they don't have much success in several recent decades.
I mentioned my favourite sports in first post here, but I'm trying to follow Olympics all day long, event after event.

Slovakia's victory over Finland is not a surprise.
Slovakia has a very good national team and at the last Olympics they won third place and a bronze medal, after losing to Finland in the semi-finals.
As for the custom of some Middle Eastern countries like Qatar to offer citizenship to quality foreigners to strengthen their national team in some sports, this was a common custom in handball, as far as I remember, but it never caught on in winter sports, probably due to the limited number of countries competing in winter sports and the lesser interest of Gulf countries in these sports.

[LTU_btc]

Unfortunately, Olympics doesn't go without contraversial stories. Ukrainian skeleton pilot was banned from reacing because he was wearing helmet with images of Ukrainian athletes killed during Russian invasion. Yes, I know that political messages isn't allowed in Olympics, but since when honouring remembrance become political message?
https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/skeleton-pilot-vladylsav-heraskevych-not-allowed-to-participate-at-milano-cortina-2026-after-refusing-to-adhere-to-the-ioc-athlete-expression-guidelines
https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cx2dnd7g209o

However, we always see that small countries manage to get medals. In medal table, a country that has 1 medal, are usually a small country without a huge budget to spend on sport. I cant say that it was a miracle that they took a medal, then its a skill and talent after all that allow them to take medal from top countries. I can suggest UAE to continue participating, and maybe in 20 years they would surprise us with performance.

Finland vs Sweden ice hockey game will be tomorrow at 13:10. I think I am going to miss that, impossible to watch at work. But Canada vs Switzerland at 22:10 I am watching definitely !

I forgot to mention one example of success of small country (in terms of winter sports) - Bulgaria. Yesterday Lora Hristova took 3rd place in women 15km individual race. I t was expected that Julia Simon and Lou Jeanmonot will be 1st and 2nd, but Hristova - she never had any big achievements until now. And I wouldn't call luck what happened yesterday - in such long race with 4 shooting rounds luck factor isn't big. It's first Bulgaria medal since 2006.
It's very annoying that such great games like Sweden - Finland is played so early, I will miss probably half of game tomorrow. Now enjoying Canada - Czechia, Canada leads 1:0 after 1st period

Slovakia's victory over Finland is not a surprise.
Slovakia has a very good national team and at the last Olympics they won third place and a bronze medal, after losing to Finland in the semi-finals.

Not miracle, but still I would call it surprise. It's not worth to compare with previous tournaments, because rosters is very different - Finland have squad from NHL players only, not like Slovakia. Yesterday I was surprised that Italy gave such great fight to Sweden until lasts seconds.

[TopTort777]

I hate it when they mix politics and sports. That is so low to allow Ukrainian athlete to train in that helmet before real competition, and ban him before the race. If they are so against showing that helmet, why dont they allow him to compete, but cut his performance from airing on TV? Just show his time and that it? However, was it able for him to race in other helmet? If he was among leaders who was able to fight for medal, why not perform in other helmet, but when ceremony starts, switch helmets back? Olympic Games start to look like political Eurovision Song Contest...

[Daniel91]

I hate it when they mix politics and sports. That is so low to allow Ukrainian athlete to train in that helmet before real competition, and ban him before the race. If they are so against showing that helmet, why dont they allow him to compete, but cut his performance from airing on TV? Just show his time and that it? However, was it able for him to race in other helmet? If he was among leaders who was able to fight for medal, why not perform in other helmet, but when ceremony starts, switch helmets back? Olympic Games start to look like political Eurovision Song Contest...

The funniest thing about this story is that IOC President Kirsty Conventry burst into tears when she spoke about this case, and in fact she made the decision,
 along with the other IOC members.
I really don't understand why a compromise solution couldn't be found that would satisfy everyone.
This will tarnish the entire Olympic Games and will be talked about more after the Olympics than the sporting results, which is a great shame.
Politics and sports, especially when it comes to the Olympic Games, have been interconnected for a very long time, ever since the tragedy at the
Olympic Games in Munich in 1972 and the blockade of the Olympic Games in 1980 in Moscow and 1984 in Los Angeles.

[LTU_btc]

Short summary of events in hockey tournament. Finland won 4:1 against Sweden. Can't comment much about it cuz only saw highlight of game. Italy is winless as expected, but damn, they're giving great fight, first against Sweden and now against Slovakia. France did great things too, from 0:2 to 3:2 against Czechia. Yeah, they lost, but making upset against team like Czechia would be already too much.
Canada is leading 3:1 vs Switzerland after2 periods and result so far reflects game.

Here is how medal table looks right. As usual, hosts is performing much better than at any other games. But main question - where is China? They're still without Gold!

I hate it when they mix politics and sports. That is so low to allow Ukrainian athlete to train in that helmet before real competition, and ban him before the race. If they are so against showing that helmet, why dont they allow him to compete, but cut his performance from airing on TV? Just show his time and that it? However, was it able for him to race in other helmet? If he was among leaders who was able to fight for medal, why not perform in other helmet, but when ceremony starts, switch helmets back? Olympic Games start to look like political Eurovision Song Contest...

I'm sure it was possible to find solution for this question and reach some consensus between IOC, federation and athlete. Now instead of talking about competition, we talk about this story.
Matt Weston from GB takes gold by very big margin, he set track records with in all his 4 runs. Silver and bronze was taken by Axel Jungk and Christopher Grotheer, both from Germany.

[LTU_btc]

Brazil wins their first ever medal in winter Olympic games. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen wins gold in giant slalom. How it happened? His father from Norway, mother from Brazil and previously he was representing Norway.
In women skiing relay Sweden's Ebba Andersson had big fall, but incredible that she managed to end her lap on one ski and even more crazy that Sweden ended this race with silver medal.
https://www.reddit.com/r/skiing/comments/1r4jend/in_the_womens_4_x_75km_relay_swedens_leg_2_falls/
In women skeleton we have unexpected winner. Janine Flock from Austria takes gold, while most expected to see one of Germany athletes on the top.
Hockey tournament - Finland trashed Italy 11:0, such results is something what you won't see often in Olympics. But Finland needed goal difference to become best 2nd ranked team and go straight to 1/4 final. Latvia makes little upset by beating Germany, despite being down twice, while Denmark gave good fight for USA, even if final score don't reflect it.

[Jostern]

Short summary of events in hockey tournament. Finland won 4:1 against Sweden. Can't comment much about it cuz only saw highlight of game. Italy is winless as expected, but damn, they're giving great fight, first against Sweden and now against Slovakia. France did great things too, from 0:2 to 3:2 against Czechia. Yeah, they lost, but making upset against team like Czechia would be already too much.
Canada is leading 3:1 vs Switzerland after2 periods and result so far reflects game.

Here is how medal table looks right. As usual, hosts is performing much better than at any other games. But main question - where is China? They're still without Gold!

I hate it when they mix politics and sports. That is so low to allow Ukrainian athlete to train in that helmet before real competition, and ban him before the race. If they are so against showing that helmet, why dont they allow him to compete, but cut his performance from airing on TV? Just show his time and that it? However, was it able for him to race in other helmet? If he was among leaders who was able to fight for medal, why not perform in other helmet, but when ceremony starts, switch helmets back? Olympic Games start to look like political Eurovision Song Contest...

I'm sure it was possible to find solution for this question and reach some consensus between IOC, federation and athlete. Now instead of talking about competition, we talk about this story.
Matt Weston from GB takes gold by very big margin, he set track records with in all his 4 runs. Silver and bronze was taken by Axel Jungk and Christopher Grotheer, both from Germany.

Looking at this table I can’t find any African country in the Table, that would make ask some common questions, does this African country even compete in the Winter Olympics from my perspective observation and understanding none of the African countries have won any medals in the Winter Olympic Games, that also brings me to a common question because I know this African country doesn’t have winter in the respective countries as a Weather season, most of the countries in Africa experience Hot season which is why they can’t be in a Winter Olympics, perhaps would could have seen Egypt, Morocco, South-Africa in the Winter Olympics Table with some Medals, Unfortunately it’s not what it should be with the Africans.

[Soonandwaite]

Canada is leading 3:1 vs Switzerland after2 periods and result so far reflects game.

in the end, Canada beat Switzerland 5-1. i think the USA, Finland or Canada will win the gold medal. Germany embarrassed themselves against Latvia and lost 3-4.
few people expected that and many lost their bets. Germany is playing the USA late this evening. the USA is the big favourite! or will there be a sensation and
Leon Draisaitl's team win against the USA? there are good betting odds for a German victory. but do you want to take the risk ?


source : google

[LTU_btc]

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo becomes first man to win 9 Golden medals in winter Olympic games aftervictory in relay competition and it's not even over yet. Not so long time ago it looked impossible to beat Bjørndalen record. And now, I just remind that Klæbo now is just 29 years old,so, if he will have motivation, he can still win plenty of medals.
Perfect day for Italy with 2 Golden medals. Lisa Vittozzi with perfect shooting (20 out of 20) won pursuit race, meanwhile in womens giant slalom Federica Brignone won already her second gold in Olympics.
Meanwhile Great Britain also won one more gold - at skeleton team event, led by their star Matt Weston.

Looking at this table I can’t find any African country in the Table, that would make ask some common questions, does this African country even compete in the Winter Olympics from my perspective observation and understanding none of the African countries have won any medals in the Winter Olympic Games, that also brings me to a common question because I know this African country doesn’t have winter in the respective countries as a Weather season, most of the countries in Africa experience Hot season which is why they can’t be in a Winter Olympics, perhaps would could have seen Egypt, Morocco, South-Africa in the Winter Olympics Table with some Medals, Unfortunately it’s not what it should be with the Africans.

Most of African teams consists just from few people, not like Nordic countries have 50, 100 or even more athletes. And things isn't going to change anytime soon. It's not that most African countries don't have winter, but they also have no facilities for indoor winter sports. And big factor that popularity of winter sports is very tiny.

Leon Draisaitl's team win against the USA? there are good betting odds for a German victory. but do you want to take the risk ?

I would say no chance.

[TopTort777]

Some crazy games there were in ice hockey group stage. Team Germany has been doing bad this year. They even got silver medals in 2018 Olympics and on 2023 IIHF. Often finish as 5-8th overall place. Btw, this year group stage is weird. Previously 2 teams were advancing to play-off. Now in some groups 1 teams goes immediately to 1/4, and rest 3 play in play-off, and in some groups 2 teams immediately go to 1/4, and rest 2 to play-off (when they should have finished their performance on this Olympic games already aka go home). You can be last in your group and still advance to qualification play-off.

[Daniel91]

Figure skating continues to amaze me, it's truly wonderful to watch the competitors, especially the pairs.
It's incredible what Italian skier Federica Brignone did in the giant slalom, winning and winning the Olympic gold medal after such a serious leg injury, miraculous.
Did you see the scene after her race, when her rivals bowed to her and congratulated her?
Truly a true Olympic spirit and an example to young people of how to respect their rivals in sport.

[Soonandwaite]

Some crazy games there were in ice hockey group stage. Team Germany has been doing bad this year. They even got silver medals in 2018 Olympics and on 2023 IIHF. Often finish as 5-8th overall place. Btw, this year group stage is weird. Previously 2 teams were advancing to play-off. Now in some groups 1 teams goes immediately to 1/4, and rest 3 play in play-off, and in some groups 2 teams immediately go to 1/4, and rest 2 to play-off (when they should have finished their performance on this Olympic games already aka go home). You can be last in your group and still advance to qualification play-off.

that is also very rare at a World Cup or the Olympics. with one win and two defeats, still in second place is down to a lot of luck. we can thank Denmark for
helping us secure second place.  now it's all or nothing for Germany tomorrow in the play-off game against France.
Germany is the favourite. but with performances like those against the USA and Latvia, the match against France will not be easy.
we will know more on Tuesday after the match against France. either the quarter-finals await or the journey home for Germany.