Lake Placid Olympic Change

LAKE PLACIDIn the world of winter sports, few names carry the nostalgic weight and international legacy of Lake Placid. It’s a name carved into Olympic lore, a snow-globe town famous for hosting the Winter Olympics in both 1932 and 1980, the latter of course best known for the “Miracle on Ice.” But as the sliding sports world gears up for Milano-Cortina 2026, Lake Placid just had its name quietly erased from a key chapterone that many thought was already inked in bold.

The Sliding Shift: From North America to Europe

The initial plan had Lake Placid set to host Olympic sliding sportsbobsled, luge, and skeletonfor the 2026 Games because Italy, despite all its Alpine glory, lacks a functioning track. Cortina d’Ampezzo’s Eugenio Monti track, mothballed since 2008, was supposed to be revived. That’s turned out to be an Italian opera of delays and budgeting woes, with construction nowhere near breaking snow. Enter The Contingency Plan.

Lake Placid, with its updated and fully-certified Mt. Van Hoevenberg track, seemed the perfect understudyexperienced, scenic, and ready. The region had even started warming up the fanfare engines. But in a move as swervy as a skeleton heat run, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Milano-Cortina 2026 organizers announced this week that Lake Placid is officially out of the rehearsal.

Why the Cold Shoulder?

The committee’s statement, chunked with administrative lingo and frosty diplomacy, cited “operational logistics and athlete accommodation challenges” for the decision. Translated: too complex, too expensive, too many moving parts across the Atlantic. No snowplow could clear those hurdles fast enough.

In other words, hosting half a sport across an ocean in a climate of inflation and political balancing acts is a logistical luge run with no brakes. As a result, sliding events will now be held at an existing track somewhere else in Europe. Options reportedly include Innsbruck in Austria and St. Moritz in Switzerlandboth legendary in their own right, but a missed chance for Lake Placid and American fans.

The Adirondack Reaction: Disappointment Dressed in Diplomacy

Local nervous energy had already been building like fresh powder. Now, many locals feel blindsided. “Disappointing,” said Adirondack North Country Sports Council executive director Ashley Walden in a statement that pulled double duty as PR salve and civic therapy. “While we’re disappointed to learn that Lake Placid will not be hosting the sliding sports for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, we remain optimistic about the future of international competition at the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex.”

It’s a professional response for what’s clearly a deep-cut disappointmentand one with economic consequences. Hosting Olympic events wasn’t just about global prestige. It was about driving traffic, tourism, and temporary adrenaline into this quiet corner of New York.

This Isn’t the Finish Line

If there’s one thing Lake Placid knows, it’s how to weather a stormliteral or otherwise. The town still remains a formidable venue for winter sports. In fact, construction and infrastructure upgrades made in preparation for 2026 won’t go to waste. And thanks to the successful hosting of the 2023 FISU World University Games and other international events, sentiment around Lake Placid remains that this is simply a temporary detour, not a full stop.

The Lake Placid Legacy Sites continue to serve as elite training grounds for America’s best sliders (and a magnet for budding Olympians). So while this round may have slipped by, the countdown to potential future bids is already ticking louder than a luge start gate buzzer.

Looking Ahead: Europe’s Gain, America’s Pause

Milano-Cortina 2026 will now become the first Olympics in modern history to hold all events on the host continent while sidestepping the need for new construction in one discipline. It’s a victory for sustainability and practicality, but a setback for fans and sliders hoping to see North American ice on the grandest stage.

For Lake Placid, it’s a sharp curve, yes. But as any sledder will tell you, it’s not about how you startit’s about how you finish. And odds are, this Olympic town isn’t done carving its story into winter sports history.

“We’ll keep the lights on at the track,” Walden said. “Lake Placid continues to be a world-renowned venue, and our time will come again.”

The sliding sports may be heading east for 2026, but Lake Placid, nestled between memory and momentum, remains very much in the Olympic conversation.

Lake Placid Olympics Canceled

Lake Placid, NY – The snow-capped dreams of hosting international glory have meltedat least for now. Plans to hold Olympic winter sports competitions in Lake Placid next year have been officially scratched, casting a surprising chill on the Adirondack village’s bid to reignite its Olympic past. This marks a rare halt in an area synonymous with historic athletic achievement, including the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”

A Quiet Year Ahead for a Former Olympic Powerhouse

Once the heartbeat of American winter sports, Lake Placid will not host any Olympic-sanctioned events during the 2024-2025 season. The announcement, tucked within a broader report from the Adirondack North Country Sports Council, is as jarring as a cross-check into the boards for fans and athletes alike.

This development follows a promising stretch of revamped venues and renewed focus. Just last year, the region proudly hosted the 2023 FISU World University Gamesa massive international event that put Lake Placid back on the global map. Organizers, coaches, and athletes had hoped that momentum would carry into a successful return to World Cup or World Championship events across bobsled, luge, biathlon and more. Instead, the schedule will be completely bare when it comes to top-tier, international Olympic sports action next year.

What Happened?

Budget and strategy, it seems, were the cold winds that froze the calendar.

According to Sports Council officials, the pause is not due to lack of interest or facility qualityin fact, Lake Placid’s venues meet international standards after millions were poured into modernizations ahead of the 2023 Games. Rather, the move appears to be a deliberate recalibration of resources, as the region focuses on strengthening its long-term strategy.

“This is not a retreat,” emphasized Ashley Walden, executive director of the Adirondack North Country Sports Council. “It’s a strategic reload.”

While logistical realities and shifting federation schedules played a role, many insiders cite the increasingly competitive nature of hosting international sports. European and Asian venues have deepening partnerships and financial support, adding pressure to smaller North American markets already stretched thin.

How This Impacts Athletes

For athletes who train year-round in hopes of competing on home snow and ice, the disappointment is palpable.

Lake Placid’s elite training environment has long served as a launching pad for Olympic hopefuls in sliding sports and biathlon. Without a marquee event, U.S. athletes miss not only the comforts of home soil competition but key opportunities to earn ranking points in front of domestic fans and sponsors.

A home track advantage is realand losing it for a full season is no small setback.

Still, USA Luge CEO Jim Leahy is focusing on the upside: “We’ll use this time to support our teams with international exposure elsewhere and maintain the momentum we’ve built here,” he said.

Community Feels the Freeze

It’s not just athletes feeling the burn. For Lake Placid’s economywhich thrives on winter events tourismthe cancellation is a tough blow. Hotels, restaurants, and local vendors benefit immensely from world-class competitions. A single event weekend can inject millions into the economy. Next winter? Silence on Main Street.

“It’s like preparing for a Christmas concert and then the stage lights never come on,” said one longtime resident and hotelier. “There’s a proud legacy herelosing that buzz, even temporarily, just hurts.”

Is This the End of the Olympic Flame in the Adirondacks?

Hardly. In fact, officials are quick to remind the public that this is more of an intermission, not a curtain call.

Plans are already simmering for a potential return in future cycles. With facilities like the Olympic Jumping Complex, the Mount Van Hoevenberg sliding track, and Whiteface Mountain all renovated and ready, the infrastructure is in place. What’s needed now is a coordinated plan that brings together local investment, national sport organizations, and international federations in a shared bid for long-term hosting success.

“No, we’re not hosting World Cups in 2024,” said Walden. “But 2025? 2026? We’ll be ready.”

Looking Ahead With Cautious Optimism

While the iconic Olympic torch remains unlit next winter, Lake Placid is not stepping off the global stageit’s just catching its breath. It’s a strategic timeout in a long game, one that requires patience, planning, and persistent belief in the power of sport to lift a region.

After all, this is the same village that shocked the Soviet Union in 1980 and twice brought the Olympic Games to America. If history teaches us anything, it’s this: Never count Lake Placid out.

The miracle may be on pause, but it’s far from over.

Gus Kenworthy Returns 2026

If you thought Gus Kenworthy had hung up his freeski boots for good, think again. The Olympic silver medallist, freeskiing pioneer, and cultural trailblazer has officially announced his return to competition. And he’s targeting nothing less than the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, once again flying the flag for Team GB.

One More Spin in the Olympic Spotlight

Kenworthy’s career has never followed the conventional slope. After claiming silver at the Sochi 2014 Olympics for the United States and later representing Great Britain at Beijing 2022, the 32-year-old was widely believed to have taken his final run on the Olympic stage. But just like a last-minute cork 1260, Kenworthy has flipped the narrative in spectacular fashion.

“I’m stoked to be back,” he said with a smile that seemed to bring the energy of the halfpipe with it. “I didn’t think this would happen, but the fire’s still there. I’ve missed the competitive edge, the adrenalineand, if I’m being honest, the community most of all.”

A Veteran Brings Experienceand Star Power

There’s no doubt that Kenworthy’s return to action adds not just depth, but undeniable sparkle to Team GB’s freestyle squad. Known as much for his media presence and LGBTQ+ advocacy off the snow as for his amplitude and switch tricks on it, the Brit-American skier brings gravitas, glamour, and guts to the team.

His experience could prove invaluable for a young and promising GB crew, many of whom grew up watching Gus tear up X Games podiums and Olympic qualifiers. But make no mistakeKenworthy isn’t returning just for mentorship or media appearances. He’s got his eyes on the prize.

Full Circle: The Drive Behind the Comeback

“Milano Cortina just feels full-circle,” Kenworthy shared. “It’s Europe. It’s going to be electric. I’ve got some unfinished business in the pipe.”

Indeed, Kenworthywhose notable medal haul includes six X Games podiums and that unforgettable Sochi silverhas been a constant in the ever-evolving landscape of freestyle skiing. While many retire quietly, he’s charging back into the icy fray with characteristic flair.

The veteran skier will rejoin GREAT, the UK’s Olympic governing body, and begin preparation later this year. That means a demanding regimen of altitude camps, trick tune-ups, andyesa likely return to the injury-plagued battleground of World Cup qualifiers. But for someone like Gus, it’s all part of the ride.

Social Champion, Snow Warrior

Kenworthy has always used his platform to highlight causes bigger than sports. From his groundbreaking decision to come out publicly in 2015making him one of the first openly gay men in action sportsto his advocacy for mental health and animal rights, he has redefined what it means to be a modern athlete.

That rich tapestry of experience underscores what this return means: not just another medal run, but another opportunity to inspire, challenge, and entertain.

Team GB Just Got Interesting

Whether you’re a seasoned fan of winter sports or simply scroll past Olympic highlights come February, there’s something delightful about a comeback story. And with Kenworthy back in the mix, Team GB’s freeski presence at Milano Cortina promises to be bold, stylish, andyesunpredictable.

Get the popcorn. Wax the skis. The halfpipe will never be the same again.

“Gus brings a wealth of experience and personality to the team, and we’re thrilled to have him back. His presence is a boost for the whole squad,” said Dan Hunt, Performance Director for British Ski and Snowboard (GB Snowsport).

The Countdown Begins

2026 may feel a long way off, but in the world of elite sport, the clock ticks faster than a GS gate. Expect to see Kenworthy back in competition form in the coming months, with appearances at international freeski events and training camps paving the path to Italy.

So, one last timeor perhaps notlet the countdown to the Kings of Cortina begin. And leading the charge, undoubtedly in style, is none other than Gus Kenworthy.

Ilia Malinin Olympic Goals

There’s fast, there’s fearless, and then there’s Ilia Malininthe 19-year-old figure skating phenom who has the quad Axel stitched into the very threads of his boots. As the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina 2026 looms just over the horizon, Malinin isn’t just chasing goldhe’s redefining what it means to push the boundaries of athletic genius on ice.

The “Quad God” With an Olympic Vision

Nicknamed the “Quad God” for his jaw-dropping ability to land the elusive quadruple Axelthe most difficult jump in figure skatingIlia Malinin has shattered expectations since he first glided onto the senior scene. But for someone who already checks tricks off a list that once seemed out of reach, what could possibly be next?

“My biggest goal for the 2026 Olympics is to win the gold medal,” he said with humility and trademark cool during an interview with TODAY. “But more than that, I want to deliver a program that shows all the work I’ve done over the years.”

Simple. Straightforward. Yet behind those words lies the thunder of revolution on ice.

Work Ethic: At the Speed of Ice

Malinin may make gravity-defying jumps look effortless, but his daily grind tells a far grittier tale. Between training six days a week, managing schoolwork, and keeping his body healthy, his schedule would humble even the most seasoned athlete.

“People don’t always see what goes on behind the scenes,” Malinin says. “Skating is just one part of it. There’s recovery, mental training, the food I eat. Everything matters.”

Even at a young age, Malinin has the mental toughness of a seasoned Olympian. Whether he’s on the practice ice in Virginia or under the bright lights of competition, it’s always about finessing perfectionone toe-pick at a time.

Balancing Stardom and Sanity

It’s easy to forget that behind the soaring triple-triple combinations and dazzling step sequences is a teenager who listens to rap music, catches up on school assignments, and, in his words, is still “figuring things out.”

“I try to live a normal life outside the rink,” he shared. “Traveling can be intense, especially during the competition season, but I always make sure I stay grounded.”

In a time of increasing focus on athlete mental health, Malinin’s authenticity is refreshingan elite sportsman who embraces vulnerability without compromising his edge.

All Eyes on Milan-Cortina

The countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics has officially begun, and Malinin is well aware of the pressureand opportunitythat the global stage brings. Team USA is stacked with talent, but Malinin’s unique skill set makes him a standout contender. After a season that saw him claim a World Title and etch his name into the sport’s history books, the expectations are sky high.

But for Ilia, it’s not just about podiums or recordsit’s about expression. “It’s all about finding the soul in the performance. I want to connect with the crowd, to move people. Not just do big jumps.”

A Legacy in the Making

In a sport where longevity can be as elusive as the perfect landing, Malinin is already crafting a legacy that looms large. By the time Milan-Cortina arrives, he won’t just be a name on a start listhe’ll be the skater to watch.

And if his current trajectory is any indication, Ilia Malinin might soon do what even he probably once doubtedturn the impossible into Olympic gold.

For more updates on Ilia Malinin and Team USA’s road to Milan-Cortina 2026, stay tuned to your trusted source for cutting-edge Olympic coverage.

Team USA Talks 2026

The Rocky Mountains may have still been dotted in spring snow, but for Team USA’s top ski and snowboard athletes, minds are already racing toward the paler peaks of Milan-Cortina 2026. With two years to go until the next Winter Olympics, members of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard team gathered at Copper Mountain for a media powwow as much about purpose as it was about powder.

From the Slopes to Spotlight: The Road to Italy Begins

Emerging from the fog of Beijing 2022 and the high-octane energy of the World Cup season, athletes like Alex Hall, Colby Stevenson, and Hailey Langland stepped into the Colorado sunshine to reflect, recharge, and refocus. While the Olympic podium is still two calendar pages away, the foundation is quietly being carved with every turn on the mountain.

“It’s not just about what you see on race day,” said Maggie Voisin, a veteran slopestyle skier with two Olympics under her belt. “These off-season camps, this kind of vibeit’s actually where the magic starts.”

Skiing and Snowboarding in Sync

Unlike the chaotic shuffle of competition schedules, this out-of-competition setting allowed for rare camaraderie between disciplines. Snowboarders were chatting pipe-side with halfpipe skiers. Younger upstarts brushed shoulders with Olympic medalists, and personal coaches shared playbooks across events. It was, in a word, organic. And it was by design.

“We’re creating a new kind of synergy,” said Jeremy Forster, the head of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Snowboard, Freeski, and Freestyle Teams. “It’s about building culture as much as results.”

This culture-rich approach is something Team USA hopes gives it the competitive edge come 2026.

Learning from the Past, Eyeing Podiums Ahead

For Olympians like Alex Hall, who claimed gold in men’s slopestyle in Beijing with an iconic run that defied gravity and expectations, the takeaway wasn’t just about medalsbut momentum.

“A lot of what we took away wasn’t about landing the run, but about team vibes and mental strength,” Hall said. “You don’t win gold with just tricksyou win because you feel good around the people you’re with.”

Feeling good, in this case, also means being better prepared. The team’s focus is sliding toward off-season facilities, health, and holistic athlete developmenta marked shift from the granola-and-grind grime of the early X Games era. Cutting-edge facilities and sports psychologists are now just as prominent as wax techs and ski straps.

Teens, Talk, and Training

One of the most inspiring themes at Copper was the role of youth. Rising stars like Dusty Henricksen and Maddie Mastro are no longer the wide-eyed rookiesthey’re steadily becoming team anchors. Their messages echoed a mix of gratitude, hunger, and responsibility.

“We want to compete, but we also want to lead,” said Henricksen. “There are 14-year-olds watching this stuff on TikTok dreaming of being on this team. That’s huge.”

And if Gen-Z slang occasionally leaks into training lingo, no one seems to mind. The new generation is not just shredding, they’re shaping the team’s identity.

Milano-Cortina: Not Just Another Olympics

The 2026 Winter Games mark a return to Italy, a setting steeped in alpine heritage and cinematic backdrops. It’ll be the first joint-hosted Winter Olympics with one hint of the Adriatic in Milan and the other nestled in Cortina’s Dolomites. And for Team USA, it’s a terrain rich with possibilityand transition.

“We’ve got to balance experience and experimentation,” said Forster. “You’ll see veterans, yes, but you’ll also be introduced to a bold new slate of Americans ready to surprise the world.”

Indeed, halfpipe queen Chloe Kim is planning a return, while others like Red Gerard look to reclaim Olympic glory after tough performances in Beijing. There’s a palpable sense of narrative weight already beginning to stack.

A Future Written in Snow

If there’s one lesson this mid-season gathering drove home, it’s that building a championship team doesn’t only happen under the Olympic lights. It happens in the shared lift rides, the post-session pizza nights, and the quiet early-morning laps before the cameras turn on.

With a renewed sense of purpose and unity, Team USA’s snow athletes are not only preparing for Italythey’re creating a culture that could carry them far, on and off the podium.

Looking Ahead, Together

From Halfpipe wizards to Slopestyle savants, from Olympic veterans to fearless rookies, Team USA is blending past, present, and future into something refreshingly cohesive. At 9,600 feet and climbing, the air at Copper Mountain wasn’t just thinnerit was richer with ambition.

“We’re out here with smiles on our faces, doing what we love,” said Langland, eyes squinting against the alpine sun. “If that’s not the first step toward Olympic success, I don’t know what is.”

All roads now point toward Milan-Cortina. But as Team USA showed in Colorado, the journey isn’t just about a destinationit’s about a declaration. And they’re ready to make theirs heard. Loud and clear.

Milano Cortina 2026 Accreditation

The snow-dusted peaks of the Dolomites are calling, and so is the buzz of Olympic anticipation. As Milano Cortina 2026 fast approaches, there’s another kind of race underwaynot on skis or skates, but via laptops and application portals. Whether you’re a broadcaster, journalist, technical whiz, or behind-the-scenes maestro, it’s time to lace up your metaphorical boots for media accreditation.

Media Accreditation: The Gateway to the Games

Accreditation for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 is not merely a badge – it’s your all-access pass to a sprawling winter spectacle that promises to blend alpine charm with Italian flair. Scheduled from 6 to 22 February 2026, these Games aim to deliver more than medalsit’s about moments frozen in time, stories carved into snow and ice, and access that shapes how the world experiences them.

Here’s How the Media Accreditation Works

The Olympic accreditation process is structured like a well-orchestrated slalom run: precise, timed, and built to handle a global field of hopefuls. It falls under the stewardship of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in close coordination with National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and International Federations. If you’ve donned the press vest before, you’ll know this isn’t your first rondo on the rink.

For media typesthink written press, photographers, non-rights holding broadcasters, and online journalistsaccreditation is allocated through the NOCs. Each country has a hailstorm of hopefuls, but spots are limited and competition, like the 500m speed skating final, is fierce.

Deadlines MatterMark Your Calendars

In the land of pasta and punctuality (yes, really), timelines are sacred. Media outlets must submit their application requests to their respective NOCs by their predetermined deadlines. Begin hounding your NOC now, because once the final whistle blows on this pre-Games phase, there’s no going back. The IOC distributes accreditations to NOCs based on a carefully crafted quota system that ensures balanced global representation.

Need to find your NOC? The IOC has you covered with a full list available to the public. Click here to locate your National Olympic Committee and start the accreditation journey.

If You’re a Rights-Holding Broadcaster (RHB)…

Then you’re playing in a different league altogether. Media personnel working with Rights-Holding Broadcasters need not go through an NOC but instead liaise directly with Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS). For these seasoned pros of the screen, additional information and the entire accreditation roadmap are available at www.obs.tv.

The Milano Cortina Media Landscape

Set against the snow-capped amphitheaters of Italy’s north, the media venues for Milano Cortina 2026 promise a mashup of historic beauty and high-tech charm. Milano will handle the fast-paced urban energy, while Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno, Val di Fiemme, and Antholz will provide the classic winter sport elegance. Expect breathtaking backdrops to go along with the athlete triumphs you’ll be reporting on.

And don’t forget Milano Cortina’s commitment to sustainabilitya buzzword that actually carries weight here. From reusing historic venues to smart, eco-friendly tech infrastructure for media centers, these Games aim not only to inspire headlines but also minimize footprints, both carbon and otherwise.

Get Your Game Face On

Applying for Milano Cortina 2026 accreditation isn’t just punching a ticketit’s joining a team of global storytellers. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill press pass; this is your boarding pass to Olympic history-in-the-making. From the torch lighting to that final thrilling run on the bobsleigh track, your lens, mic, or keyboard will be there, capturing every icy second.

Final Words (and a Reminder)

To sum it up: If you’re eyeing a spot at what promises to be the most scenic Winter Olympics in decades, make sure your application game is strong. The deadline waits for no one, and rememberthe mountains may be cold, but the competition for accreditation is hot.

Ready to cover gold-medal moments under the Italian Alps? Start with accreditationbecause without it, you’re just sightseeing.

For all official information and detailed guidelines, visit the IOC’s official accreditation hub here: Milano Cortina 2026 Accreditation Portal.

© 2024. All rights reserved. Content created by an award-winning sports journalist with years spent chasing stories across snowfields, stadiums, and swimming pools.

Team Canada Curling Duo

There’s strategy, skill, and sweepingthen there’s love, laser focus, and Olympic dreams. If chemistry on the ice helps seal victories, then Team Canada’s rising mixed doubles curling pair just may have cracked the code. Meet Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallantcurling titans both on the scoreboard and in their hearts, as they aim for the perfect blend of romance and rock-solid performance at Milano-Cortina 2026.

The Power Couple of Pebble Ice

Jocelyn and Brett are a dynamic force within the Canadian curling landscape. Their accolades are long, their resumes elite, yet it’s the way they team upboth on the rink and offthat sets them apart. Partners in life and now eyeing Olympic glory as teammates, this duo will be taking on the world in the fast-paced, razor-sharp format of mixed doubles curling.

With Olympic quotas on the line and growing competition across nations like Italy, South Korea, and Norway, Canada is gearing up for a thrilling selection processand Peterman and Gallant are right in the thick of it. There’s no guaranteed spot. No easy path. But there’s also no denying their spark, both literal and figurative.

A Journey of Championshipsand Champagne

Here’s a fun fact: their wedding RSVP list could read like a who’s who in international curling. Two-time Olympians? Check. World champions? Absolutely. Brier titles, Scotties appearances, and Grand Slam accolades? Pile them on.

Gallant hails from Charlottetown, PEI, and has clinched multiple Canadian championships with Team Gushue. Peterman, from Red Deer, Alberta, has been a regular on Team Jennifer Jones and went on to represent Team Kaitlyn Lawes more recently. Together, they’ve danced through the curling circuit with poise, power, and poise. Did we mention poise?

“Mixed doubles is its own beast,” says Peterman. “You need strong communication, great instincts, and you have to trust your partner completely. Luckily, we’ve got that in spades.”

Chasing Olympic Ice in Milano-Cortina

With the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano-Cortina less than two years away, Canada’s intense multi-tiered qualification process is ramping up. While other countries may hand-pick their pairings early, the Canadian model calls for a high-stakes, high-pressure trial to determine the best of the best. And for Peterman and Gallant, it’s a challenge they’re ready to slide into, broom-first.

In a country where curling is practically a winter religion, competition runs icy and fierce. But for this particular pair, there’s something uniquely motivating about potentially standing on an Olympic podium, arm-in-arm, under one flag. A ceremony where “I do” is followed by “We did it.”

Mixed Doubles: Less Players, More Pressure

One of the great paradoxes of mixed doubles? With just two players throwing five stones each and a power play option in tow, the game is faster, more volatile, andarguablymore exciting. The margin for error is razor-thin, and the team dynamic more personal than ever before.

“Every shot matters,” Gallant explains. “There’s no hiding out there. You either bring it or you’re cooling off in the locker room.”

With so much on the line, veteran instinct blends with shared vision. And when your teammate is the one person who knows your nervous tick better than your coach? That might just be the edge that matters most.

More Than Just a Medal Chase

There’s a narrative component to every Olympic storyathletes defying odds, overcoming injuries, or chasing redemption. For Jocelyn and Brett, it’s about making magic on curling’s biggest canvas, together. That chemistry, evident whether they’re aligned on strategy or joking over post-game interviews, humanizes a ruthless qualification process.

Win or lose, one thing’s clear: Team Peterman/Gallant is already a success story worth watching. With their eyes on wintry Italian ice and Olympic history, Canada can be proud knowing that lovenot just victorymight just sweep the house at Milano-Cortina 2026.

Up Next on the Curling Calendar

• 2025 Canadian Mixed Doubles Trials – The ultimate proving ground for Olympic hopefuls.
• World Curling Tour Stops – Expect Peterman and Gallant to sharpen their synergy on the global stage.
• Training Camp & Strategy Sessions – Where love meets logistics.

A Love Letter to Curlingand Each Other

If sport is at its best when it fuses passion with purpose, then Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant are curling’s romantic revolutionaries. They don’t just throw rocks down icethey make them sing.

Stay tuned, Canada. This curling couple is only just warming up. Milano-Cortina, you’ve been warned.

© 2024 Sports Desk Canada. All rights reserved.

Rim Jong-un Skater Rise

On the frosty morning streets of Pyongyang, who could have imagined a teen gliding toward global stardom on a pair of borrowed blades? Rim Jong-un, a name now whispered with reverence in skating circles, is rewriting historyand defying gravityin more ways than one. As the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics approaches, the 16-year-old from the Northern capital has carved a journey as daring and dynamic as the triple axels she now lands with ice-melting flair.

The Boy, the Blade, and the Breakthrough

It wasn’t a fancy rink or privileged training program that shaped Rimit was raw hustle. Raised in a modest household where Olympic dreams seemed distant, Rim found fascination watching figure skating clips in internet cafesoften pixelated, occasionally pirated, but always awe-inspiring. Without access to proper facilities, the ever-resourceful teen practiced pirouettes in hallways, jumps on frozen sidewalks, and footwork in secret alleyways.

“My first skates were hand-me-downs two sizes too big,” Rim once revealed with a sheepish grin at a press event. “I stuffed them with socks and hope.”

His tenacity was eventually spotted by a retired coach, who offered mentorship in exchange for help around his training rink. That unlikely mentorship became the first domino that would send Rim careening toward a groundbreaking milestone: becoming the first North Korean figure skater to qualify for the senior Olympics in over two decades.

A Revolution on Ice

In a sport traditionally dominated by athletes from Russia, Japan, and North America, Rim’s rise stunned even seasoned analysts. At 2024’s Four Continents Championships in Shanghai, he unleashed a performance teeming with athletic audacity: a quad toe-loop, graceful transitions, and a charisma that radiated even over the TV broadcast delay.

“He skated like he heard destiny calling,”

It wasn’t just talent that won the judges overit was that ineffable blend of artistry and authenticity. Rim’s programs, often infused with traditional Korean music and motifs, felt fresh and fearless. He didn’t skate to impress; he skated to express.

Training Behind Closed Curtains

In a nation better known for political theater than pirouettes, Rim’s ascent was not just athleticit was symbolic. Training took place under intense scrutiny and sporadic international support. His first pair of custom skates had to be smuggled in through a Chinese friend of a family friendclearance through customs came with a wink and a whispered promise.

Yet, despite the isolation, Rim’s routines were often shared by fans through VPNs and burner phones, with online forums nickname-tagging him “the Ice Poet of Pyongyang.” Unofficial fan edits of his 2025 World Junior Championship silver medal routine have racked up millions of discreet views across Asia.

Eyes on Milan

Now, with Milan 2026 on the radar, Rim is in rare air. His training has taken himalbeit under tightly monitored conditionsto South Korea and even briefly to Italy under a special sports diplomacy arrangement. While interviews with foreign media remain limited, those who’ve seen him practice report a skater more mature, more polished, but still brimming with that street-born spirit.

His Olympic program promises a cultural homage wrapped in athletic wizardrya fusion of Arirang-inspired melody with modern choreography mapped by a European coach who reportedly cried after watching Rim skate.

“He doesn’t skate for medals,” the coach said anonymously. “He skates like his very existence depends on it.”

Skating Into History With Grace

As anticipation builds, Rim remains grounded. He thanks his mother after every performance. He still sharpens his skates by hand. And he talks about using skating as a bridgenot just between triple jumps, but between people, ideologies, and possibilities.

The World Is Watching

In a time when Olympic stories often center on controversy and commercialism, Rim Jong-un stands as proof that passion still propels the planet’s best athletes. With the Milan games set to showcase the world’s finest, all eyes will be watching the boy from Pyongyang who believed in the ice before it believed in him.

Rim’s next leap? A podium finish? A personal best? Or maybe something grandera generational spark for skaters in places forgotten by the skating elite. One thing’s for sure: when Rim Jong-un takes the ice in Milan, he brings with him the weight of hope, the soul of a nation, and the force of a dream that just won’t sit still.

Published by: Korea JoongAng Daily | Edited by: [Your Name], Award-Winning Sports Journalist