sports
February 24, 2026
If you think politics shaped these Winter Olympics, just wait until LA 2028
In Milan, athletes showed that patriotism can be generous. In Los Angeles, that definition will be tested on the biggest, loudest stage sport can offer
TL;DR
- The Milano Cortina Winter Games concluded, with athletes demonstrating diverse forms of patriotism, emphasizing opportunity and civic engagement.
- Athletes like Alysa Liu and Chloe Kim exemplified a patriotism that includes disagreement and open expression, challenging the notion of blind allegiance.
- Political figures, including Donald Trump, have used sports events as platforms for cultural and political agendas, contrasting with the athletes' behavior.
- Utah governor Spencer Cox expressed a desire for athletes to focus on their sports, separate from political discourse, though acknowledging the difficulty in maintaining this boundary.
- The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are predicted to be even more politicized, potentially featuring political figures prominently and intensifying scrutiny on athletes.
- Despite political tensions, the enduring images from Milan were those of sportsmanship and unity among athletes.
- Team USA achieved its most Winter Olympic titles ever in Milan, but the subtle takeaway was the generous and confident display of patriotism by its athletes.
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