Why the Winter Olympics Deserves the World’s Attention
By: Ronnie Amey, Editor in Chief, and Mehak Khosla, MCHS Life and News Editor
Photo courtesy of NBC Universal
Every four years, the Olympic torch is lit, and billions tune in to watch the Summer Olympics, celebrating their favorite sprinters, swimmers, and gymnasts. Yet, the torch often burns quieter for the Winter Olympics. The 2026 Winter Olympics are here and are taking place in Milan-Cortina, Italy. As of February 19, the competition has delivered exciting performances and historic moments.
Despite dedicated athletes showcasing some of the most advanced, technical, and dangerous performances, these athletes who race down icy mountains and throw themselves into the cold air are often forgotten as the Winter Olympics remain overshadowed.
As of February 19, the medal race has been heating up. Norway leads the medal count with 34 total medals, 16 of which are gold, 8 silver, and 10 bronze. The United States has won 27 total medals, 9 gold, 12 silver, and 6 bronze medals. Italy, the host nation, has 26 total medals, 9 gold, 5 silver, and 12 bronze medals.
Beyond the medal count, several athletes have captured our attention by using their platform and voice to make their impact on society. American figure skater Ilia Malinin, who won gold in the team figure skating event, scoring a 200.03, unfortunately fell short of the podium in the men’s individual skates despite being favored to win, known as the quad god.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
After his performance, Ilia Malinin opened up about his mental health in a social media post following the Olympic upset.
“On the world’s biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside. Even your happiest memories can end up tainted by the noise. Vile online hatred attacks the mind, and fear lures it into the darkness, no matter how hard you try to stay sane through the endless, insurmountable pressure. It all builds up as the moments flash before your eyes, resulting in an inevitable crash. This is that version of the story.”
Another American standout, and Oakland native, Alysa Liu, secured a gold medal in the women’s single skating event, becoming the first American woman to medal in the event since 2006, as well as ending a 24-year drought for U.S. women in the individual event.
Photo courtesy of NPR
Liu’s path to her gold medal victory was less than normal, though. Liu, a two-time U.S. champion, unexpectedly retired in April 2022 at age 16, shortly after competing in the Beijing Olympics and winning a world bronze. She announced on Instagram that she felt “done” with the immense pressure and the restrictive, intense lifestyle of elite skating, having trained since the age of 5. During her roughly two-year break, she took college classes at UCLA and enjoyed typical teenage experiences. After a “normal life” break, she missed the thrill of skating and returned to competition on her own terms, focusing on joy rather than just results.
With the Olympics, often being defined by medal counts and breaking records, they also reveal something more human. Behind each of the competitors is an athlete who is balancing pressure and their life outside their sport. With the Olympics comes resilience, and this year’s games showed us that these athletes are taking control of their responsibilities.
Seventeen-year-old snowboarder Oliver Martin from Colorado captured fans’ attention with his determination after receiving surgery just ten days before the men’s snowboard big air final. Despite his setback, Martin finished fourth, proving that perseverance matters just as much as podium placement.
Photo courtesy of Snowboarder Magazine
Resilience was also displayed in men’s hockey when Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks made history for Team Canada. Celebrini became the youngest NHL player to compete for Canada and scored Canada’s first goal. He also became the first NHL player to score a penalty shot in the Olympic Games.
Photo courtesy CBC.ca
In terms of team results, the US women’s hockey team played one of the most thrilling moments of the entire games, defeating Canada in overtime to secure the gold medal. This victory was Team USA’s first gold medal since the 2018 Olympics, demonstrating the team’s persistence and growth.
Photo courtesy of Team USA Hockey
The Winter Olympics are full of victories, unforgettable performances, and stories, like those of Ilia Malanin, Alysa Liu, Oliver Martin, and Macklin Celebrini. As long as the Olympic torch is still burning, it’s not too late to give these athletes the recognition they deserve, not just for what they have achieved but for what they have overcome.