As snow falls in Italy, the world shifts its attention to the 2026 Winter Olympics. Every four years, the Winter Olympics commence. This year, the Olympics are hosted in Italy, known as the Milano Cortina Games. Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo were selected as the host cities for the event.
On February 6, 2026, the opening ceremony was held. This tradition includes the introduction of teams from around the world, along with the lighting of the torch. In addition, Italy showcased a performance to welcome everyone to the Games and officially begin the competition.
The Winter Olympics features 16 different sports and awards 116 medals to athletes. As a popular global event, the Olympics are deeply rooted in world history.
The first Olympic Games were recorded in 776 BC in Olympia, Greece. Originally, the Games were intended to honor Zeus, the king of the Greek gods, becoming a staple in Greek culture.
Over the years, the Olympics have changed immensely. The ancient Olympics featured a one-day competition with few events, whereas now the Olympics span over a series of days and include numerous sporting competitions.
America announced it would be sending 232 athletes to compete in the 2026 Winter Games. From this list, several athletes from Ohio have been selected.
Athletes from Ohio
Kyra Dossa, a 22-year-old, grew up in the Cleveland area. Dossa is set to compete in freestyle skiing. With little experience in the sport at first, she quickly developed her skills through hard work and dedication. Her talent is now on display as she makes a name for herself at the Olympics.
Laila Edwards, a 22-year-old, grew up in Cleveland Heights. Edwards is set to compete on the USA women’s hockey team. She is not just competing, she is breaking new barriers. Notably, Edwards is the first Black female hockey player to represent Team USA at the Olympics.
Derek Kreuger, a 22-year-old, grew up in Chagrin Falls. He is competing in freestyle skiing. While Ohio is not home to major ski resorts, Kreuger made do with the resources available and still managed to become an excellent skier.
JT Miller, a 32-year-old, grew up in Northeast Ohio. He will be representing the USA in men’s hockey. For Miller, his talent for skating developed in his very own backyard using a rink his father built.
All of these athletes from Ohio have worked hard to earn their spots in the Olympics. However, while the Olympics are known for world competition, the event is much more than just winning medals.
The Olympics are a time when countries come together to display their talent. Beyond the competition, the event promotes unity and patriotism. Athletes from around the world build lasting bonds, showing that despite differences across nations, many similarities connect us.
Students and staff at BBHHS also enjoy watching the Winter Olympics. The athletes competing encourage hard work and resilience, and can serve as great role models for many.
Botao Zhao, a sophomore at BBHHS, describes his love for the Olympics. To Zhao, the Olympics are important because they provide an opportunity for countries to support not only one another but also outstanding athletes from their nation. Zhao specifically enjoys Chinese snowboarder Su Yiming. Being Chinese himself, he finds it “inspirational because coming out of China, which is a country where winter sports aren’t all that popular, but he’s able to be one of the best snowboarders in the world.”
