2026 Winter Olympics: A Recap of the Games’ Most Captivating Stories

Bhoomika Pullela ‘27

The 2026 Winter Olympics started February 6th, and if you haven’t had the chance to tune in, here are a few major stories from the first 6 days of the games.

Ukrainian Athlete Prohibited From Competing

On Thursday morning, the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) made the controversial decision to bar Ukrainian skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych from competing in his event after he refused the International Olympic Committee’s (ICO) plea not to wear a helmet that honored over 20 Ukrainian athletes and coaches who were killed since Russia invaded his country four years ago.

The IBSF ruled that Heraskevych’s helmet went against the Olympic athlete expression guidelines, which outlaw any sort of political statements. Heraskevych had worn the helmet during practice races, but the IOC urged him to wear a less conspicuous tribute, such as a black wristband. However, the skeleton pilot refused to compromise, arguing that the same standards hadn’t applied to other athletes in the games.

Heraskevych was supported by several Ukrainian figures, including President Zelensky, who accused the IOC of "playing into the hands of the Russian aggressor" after Heraskevych's disqualification.

Ultimately, the IOC regretfully withdrew Heraskevych from competing in his races on Thursday, and it is doubtful he will be able to return to the rest of his races on Friday.

Norwegian Biathlete Apologizes for Cheating

Shortly after winning bronze in the 20km biathlon, Norwegian athlete Sturla Holm Lægreid made a startling confession. He had cheated. On his ex-girlfriend?

In a tearful post-game interview, Lægreid threw a Hail Mary to his ex-girlfriend, asking her to take him back after she had broken up with him a week ago upon learning about his infidelity.

“It has been the worst week of my life,” the biathlete told Norwegian Broadcast Corp. “I hope that committing social suicide might show her how much I love her.”

After his shameful profession (and a not-so-humble brag about his Mensa membership), Lægreid stirred up quite a response online, with one Swedish journalist labeling it “the strangest medal interview I’ve seen”.

Unfortunately for Lægreid, a public apology on national television may not be enough for his former girlfriend after she called his adultery “hard to forgive”.

Most athletes wouldn’t dare to compete with a torn ACL, but for the perseverant American skier Lindsey Vonn, that wasn’t the case. In addition to a ruptured ACL, she had a bone bruise and meniscus damage. Despite her injuries, Vonn had set her sights on gold in the ski racing event.

Only seconds after the 40-year-old started down the hill, she lost total control, clipping a gate with her right shoulder and pinwheeling down the slope before ending up awkwardly on her back.

In anguishing pain, the athlete was strapped to a gurney and flown away. As medical personnel attended to her, Vonn could be heard crying out in agony, possibly having just experienced a career-ending injury.

Breezy Johnson, another American ski racer, sympathized with Vonn, stating, “I can't imagine the pain that she's going through, and it's not the physical pain -- we can deal with physical pain -- but the emotional pain is something else.”

A few days after her crash, Vonn confirmed that she had suffered from a complex tibia fracture and would need surgery. However, Vonn showed no regret for her decision to race, stating, “I tried. I dreamt. I jumped.”