Tonight, the 2026 Winter Olympic flame will be extinguished, ending two weeks of breathtaking competition. The Olympic effort has had its share of controversy in both the past and present, but the athletes outshone it all with an indomitable spirit that could not be vanquished. The American competitors – young, hopeful, and determined, one and all – sparkled under the klieg lights of the winter games and reminded us that in this 250th year of our birth, the patriotic temperament of our rebellious forefathers remains in good standing.
Here are three key takeaways from this year’s Olympic experience.
Winter Olympic Triumphs: Great Expectations
Although the multi-national games have come to resemble extreme sports, the old favorites like figure skating and hockey are still among the competitions. So while we may not have a clue what a switch 18-80 is in the Big Air free ski, it’s still a heck of a lot of fun to watch.
However, competition can be a cruel master as young American figure skater Ilia Malinin found out when his free skate fell apart in front of the world. Expectations had been over the moon for the so-called “Quad God,” but, in his own words, he “blew it.” Crestfallen after his poor performance, Malinin admitted to the Washington Post: "The person who came [to the Olympics], he's been turned into dust. I came out a different person [with] a different perspective, different mindset."
Malinin was by far the odds-on favorite to win the men’s free skate competition, while the USA’s Alysa Liu was considered a long shot. Expectations can be tricky things. Much like George Washington’s Continental Army - which was nothing more than a starving, freezing bunch of bedraggled patriots - was counted out by the British, nothing much was expected of Liu. Yet she took her moment in the spotlight to shine. When it was all said and done in the women’s free skate, Liu walked with the gold.
USA Melting Pot on Parade
After watching Team USA take the stage in Milan, Italy, it should be obvious to the world that America is the land of immigrants. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences Institute for Immigration Research crunched some numbers and found out:
“Team USA is comprised of athletes who were born in the United States, as well as athletes born abroad and athletes who are children of immigrant parents or second-generation immigrants. When examining individual athletes’ profiles, approximately 3.0% of athletes competing on Team USA are foreign-born, and another 13.5% are children of immigrant parents(s). Combined, nearly 17% of Team USA has direct immigrant ties.”
For example, Ilia Malinin’s parents hail from Uzbekistan. According to USA Today, the father of Alysa Liu fled his native China in 1989 – proving once again that America is not only the great melting pot but the land of big tent dreams for immigrants from around the world.
Land of the Free: Passion & Poetry on Ice
Liu’s story is nothing short of astonishing. She quit skating at 16 due to what appeared to be burnout. She took up the sport again only recently, and her free skate exemplified the word “free.” She skated with utter abandon, captivating the mostly Italian audience and had them eating out of her hand by the time the music died. Liu said her time off from skating to “find herself” was key to her just enjoying her skate rather than obsessing about being perfect to get a gold medal. Her performance in the free skate was nothing short of magical.
The Home of the Brave
These are but a few of the inspiring lessons America's Olympians have given us over the past two weeks. There was the courageous performance of Lindsey Vonn, who, at age 41, suffered a multiple leg fracture. Talk about the agony of defeat.
On the other hand, we could vicariously live out the thrill of victory with Elana Meyers Taylor, hurtling down an ice tube at unbelievable speeds in the monobob competition. The mother of two small boys - both born without the ability to hear - sobbed as she realized her accomplishment: going for the gold and actually getting it.
Let’s not forget the heart the US women’s hockey team showed in beating Canada in sudden-death overtime. Nor will we be able to erase the utter humanity of Alysa Liu as she comforted Japanese skater Ami Nakai, who sobbed in the arms of the American skater who just finished beating her. Like a true champion, Liu responded with a long hug and whispered what appeared to be words of consolation in the ear of her conquered opponent.
Following all these raw emotions, Liu spoke with NBC commentator Andrea Joyce and intoned:
“The most important part of my story is human connection. Really, that's all I want in my life … And damn, now I'm connecting with a hell of a ton of people. So that's my dream. I think my story is pretty cool, and so I hope that inspires some people.”
Just as Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox, VA, there was a great deal of dignity and respect that America’s finest athletes demonstrated in Milan: being kind to those you have defeated, getting your priorities straight, and not paying attention to what the world is saying about you are a few. And just as those first Americans proved 250 years ago, these US Olympic athletes remind us that it takes courage to be free, and that it is still buried in the hearts of Americans.
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