5 faces of the 2026 Winter Olympics

• Lindsey Vonn: The Drama Fallen

The first big break happened on the second day of the competition, unfortunately literally: Lindsey Vonn, who was at the start despite tearing her cruciate ligament on the descent, fell heavily after just a few seconds of riding. It is the most dramatic sporting story of these Winter Games.

Vonn suffers a complex shin injury and from now on lets the (sports) world take part in her hospital stay. “My injury was much more serious than just a broken leg,” she said recently. “My leg is still in ruins, but I’m finally home.” By the way, Vonn, 41, has not officially ended her skiing career yet.

• Wladyslaw Heraskewytsch: The Helmet Ukrainian

Very few people would be able to spell the name without mistakes. For many, Vladyslaw Heraskevych – no disrespect at all, pure pragmatism – is simply the Helmet Ukrainian of Olympia.

Heraskewytsch, a 27-year-old skeleton player, is excluded from the Winter Games because he doesn’t want to give up his helmet. Shown on it: Pictures of over 20 athletes who died as a result of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. The forbidden homage becomes a political issue. After his disqualification, Heraskewytsch received large sums of money at home.

• Jutta Leerdam: The glamor girl

She is the most popular face of the Games, and probably the most photographed one: speed skater Jutta Leerdam wins gold in the 1000 meters and silver in the 500 meters, but is even more known for being Jutta Leerdam. The glamor girl, the ice diva, the skate queen, take your pick.

• Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo: The record Olympian

On Saturday, Klaebo writes the last chapter of this incredible success story: With his triumph over 50 kilometers, the 29-year-old Norwegian becomes the first athlete ever to win gold six times at the same Olympic venue. The ancient record of speed skater Eric Heiden (five gold medals in 1980) has also been shattered after almost half a century. Cheers!

• Sturla Holm Laegreid: The cheating Norwegian

There are two bronze medals in Sturla Holm Laegreid’s 2026 record, although he “owes” his nomination for our series to non-sporting behavior. There is simply no getting around the biathlete, he is too prominently represented for that: as a cheating Norwegian.

After his first bronze medal, Laegreid confesses to an affair on live TV and presents himself as a repentant penitent. The reactions range from incomprehension to ridicule, but the tone is unanimous: wrong place, wrong moment, wrong method. Laegreid is the dubious celebrity of these Winter Games. Not a title he should be proud of.

5 secret stars of the 2026 Winter Olympics

When Marc Callan steps backwards across the ice, the only thing missing is the melody of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”. Callan becomes an internet hit at the Olympics.

The Scot is the ice master in Cortina d’Ampezzo and in this role ensures the best conditions at the curling tournament. The fairway must be regularly sprayed with water. Callan slides backwards along the smooth surface with a container on his back and a hose in his hand. The Olympic Moonwalk.

• A dog on the finish line

He doesn’t have a starting number, he isn’t first at the finish line, but he is still a winner of the team sprint in cross-country skiing: Nazgul, the wolfhound.

The four-legged friend escaped from his master and goes straight to the Olympic cross-country ski trail. In the finish area, the camera first sparks his curiosity, then he chases after two athletes. There’s even a goal photo for him – it’s about the world. After the dog was caught by FIS course manager Michel Rainer, he later escaped again.

• 1 coach, 16 athletes, 13 outfits

When they wait for their evaluation after their free skate, Richaud sits next to them. Only his outfit is always different: the busy coach has to put on the right training jacket for each team. Nobody at the Olympics has a bigger wardrobe.

• The real heroes of the ice rink

When the tobogganers, the skeletonis or the heavy bobsleighs race down the ice track at over 100 km/h, the TV audience is provided with impressive images. On the one hand, this is due to the spectacular drone footage that takes us into the gutter.

But it is also due to the excellent work of the cameramen and women who have positioned themselves on the edge of the track. At the Olympics they are suddenly being filmed. When the athletes shoot past them, they swing the camera, which can weigh up to twelve kilograms, on their shoulders. Wooosh! If you work like this, you no longer need strength training.

• Backwards across the finish line – twice!

Pietro Sighel writes his name into the Olympic history books in an unusual way. The Italian is the first figure skater to cross the finish line backwards twice.

In the final of the mixed 2000 meter relay, Sighel had a small lead shortly before the end, so he turned around before the finish line. He still receives criticism for the action. Almost a week later, the Italian lost his balance in the last corner due to a fall from his competitor, was only able to maintain his balance thanks to a physical masterpiece and raced over the line after a 180-degree turn. The target photo: incredible!