The winter of 2026 marked a special occasion: the winter olympics. These quadrennial international games, with competitions surrounding sports that thrive in the cold such as hockey and skiing, gain huge international attention every year as a show of the talent of some of the world's most talented athletes. In the Stuart Hall community, some games proved more popular than others.
One event proving popular among multiple community members was the ice hockey game between Canada and the USA’s men's teams. This game determined the Gold Medal winner for men’s hockey, and marked the third time the rival teams of America and Canada had faced one another for the medal. Ending in a thrilling overtime, with America taking the win 2-1, it is unsurprising that both Ms Gum and Lasse Schlottmann, ‘27, listed this as an Olympic favorite.
When inquired, Ms Gum listed another popular sport, figure skating, as her go-to for this year's Olympics. She listed skater American Alyssa Liu as one of favorites to watch, a popular notion among people across the globe. Additionally, she noted that she was surprised at fellow Team USA skater Amber Glenn’s low placement during the women’s singles event.
Lasse, who hails from Germany, recounted the country's large success during this year's games. When asked about which wins stood out, he responded that Germany “dominated in all sledding sports.” However, he also pointed out the loss the country faced during the biathlon event. To him, this came as a surprise as Germany has previously shown a history in placing at the sport, accruing 12 medals in the event over the years.
Siya Bhasin, ‘26, shared that, generally speaking, she did not pay much attention to the Olympics. However, she did mention that she had a favorite moment. During the men’s short program for figure skating, one Spanish skater debuted with a particularly memorable act. In a yellow shirt and blue overalls, Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté gave a minions themed performance. He did not qualify for the following day's free skate competition by a small margin. Regardless of lack of medal or placement, Sabaté’s theme gained him global love and attention.
In an international school, the Olympics can be a special time. While the nature of the games can lead to friendly banter or competition in the community, it also provides a shared cultural event for students of many different backgrounds. Whether from India, Germany, America, or a myriad of other places, the Olympics creates a unique sense of connection.
Amory Harris