Podcast Summary: Previewing The 2026 Winter Olympics In Milan

Podcast: All Of It
Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guest: Matthew Futterman, Senior Writer, The Athletic
Date: February 5, 2026

Overview

This episode of All Of It serves as a comprehensive preview of the 2026 Winter Olympics, about to kick off in Milan, Italy. Host Alison Stewart and guest Matthew Futterman, an on-the-ground reporter for The Athletic, discuss key Olympic storylines, athlete dramas, new sports, and the cultural context of these Games. From last-minute preparations to athlete comebacks and controversies, the episode gives listeners an inside look at what to watch—both in competition and behind the scenes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Milan’s Final Countdown: Last-Minute Preparations

• Organizational “Italian Charm”:
  • Matthew describes Olympic preparations as “seat of the pants,” especially in facilities like the hockey arena, which struggled to make ice just weeks before opening ([03:04]).
  • “It's all part of the charm. You sort of take it with the incredible food and the outrageous views and the beautiful scenery.” – Matthew Futterman ([04:14])
• The Alpine skiing events take place in Cortina d’Ampezzo, a mountain resort town adjusting as it goes.

International Tensions: The Olympics in a Divided World

• Athletes (Still) Represent the Flag:
  • Matthew notes that U.S. athletes are navigating complicated feelings abroad amidst America’s tense global standing.
  • Highlights a post from Jesse Diggins, U.S. cross-country skiing star, on representing “an America that stands for peace and love” ([04:43]).
  • “It's a little weird being an American abroad these days. America's doing a lot of things that I would say are complicated, to say the least.” – Matthew Futterman ([05:55])

Norwegian Ski Jumping Scandal (“Crotchgate”)

• Cheating in Ski Jumping:
  • Norwegian coaches were caught sewing extra material into competitors’ suit crotches, creating a “sail” effect for longer jumps ([07:06]).
  • A whistleblower filmed the act, resulting in an 18-month ban for coaches, while athletes were cleared to compete.
  • “Here we are where we're usually talking about the Russians cheating. And, you know, right now we're talking about how Norway cheated…” – Matthew Futterman ([08:45])

Lindsey Vonn: Comeback Queen Against the Odds

• Skiing on a Torn ACL at 41:
  • Despite a crash and ruptured ACL a week before the Games, Lindsey Vonn is set to compete ([09:11]).
  • Lindsay’s recovery is unusual—no swelling, and potential pre-existing damage.
  • “She has, like, the strongest legs in sports… She's a superstar and she just brings people into her sport who would never otherwise watch it.” – Matthew Futterman ([10:33])
• On Age and Skiing:
  • “I'm going to say 100% no, because she's the leader in the downhill this season. She's winning every week… She's absolutely unbelievable.” – Matthew Futterman on whether 41 is too old for elite skiing ([11:17])

Mikaela Shiffrin’s Resurgence

• From Injury to Podium:
  • Shiffrin is in top form, especially in slalom. Her giant slalom comeback follows a dramatic crash and PTSD symptoms in 2024 ([13:07]).
  • “She really could not be coming into Olympics in a better position… She expects a lot of herself in addition to other people expecting a lot of her.” ([14:42])

The Arrival of Ski Mountaineering

• What Is It?
  • Athletes “run up the mountain” with “skins” attached to skis, then ski down. No chairlifts, just brute strength ([15:17]).
  • “It's sort of what I think is probably the most tiring Olympic event I could possibly imagine.” – Matthew Futterman ([15:51])

American Figure Skating Standouts & “Minions” Drama

• Next-Gen Stars:
  • Ilya Malinin and Alyssa Liu, both reigning world champions and children of immigrants, are top U.S. hopefuls ([17:09]).
  • “It’s an interesting moment for America to be embracing these two children of immigrants… These ones are gonna be right in front of your face for a really long time.” – Matthew Futterman ([17:46])
• Spanish “Minions” Routine Controversy:
  • The Spanish skater’s Minions-inspired program, including yellow overalls, faces possible music rights hurdles. “Free the Minions is my position on this.” – Matthew Futterman ([18:54])

Bobsledding and Athlete Health

• Jamaica’s Ongoing Bobsled Story:
  • The team continues to impress; listener affection for “Cool Runnings” is noted ([19:12]).
• Health Warning:
  • Serious concerns about long-term brain injuries like CTE in bobsled and skeleton sports ([20:27]).
  • “What neurologists have compared it to… not shaking baby syndrome, but shaking adult syndrome.” ([20:46])
  • “Several suicides among these sliding sport athletes in the last 10 years, including Steve Holcomb…” ([20:30])

Curling’s Curious Appeal

• Curling’s Cult Following:
  • U.S. mixed doubles curling success highlighted ([21:07]).
  • Curling fame is fleeting and quirky: “You’re an Olympic hero yesterday, and today you’re back in the back of the plane…” ([21:52])

Hockey Returns—with NHL Stars (But No Russia)

• NHL Back in Action:
  • NHL players return after missing recent Games due to COVID-era logistics and lack of incentive for the league ([22:34]).
  • Hockey tournament will lack a Russian national team, due to the ongoing ban stemming from the Ukraine invasion ([23:40]).
  • “Russian athletes had to get special approval… to compete as neutral athletes… It's very symbolic.” ([24:02])

Snowboarding and Biathlon Highlights

• Biathlon’s Party Reputation:
  • "It's the best party at the Olympics… There's cowbells... It's also the only Olympic sport where America has never won a medal." ([25:23])
  • U.S. medal hope: Campbell Wright, New Zealand transplant.
• Chloe Kim’s Three-Peat Bid:
  • “Don’t bet against Chloe Kim.” She’s “all grown up now, going for a third straight gold medal.” ([26:13])

The Magic of the Italian Alps

• Why These Games Feel Different:
  • “Now we're in the Italian Alps, the Dolomites, and it's pretty magical here. There's just Olympic sports fans everywhere… it's going to have that real organic feel that has been missing from the Olympics for quite some time.” – Matthew Futterman ([27:13])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Italian Olympic Preparation:
  “It's all part of the charm. You know, you sort of take it with the incredible food and the outrageous views and the beautiful scenery.” – Matthew Futterman [04:14]

• Jesse Diggins’ Message:
  “No one gets to tell her what America she is representing. Like, she is representing an America that stands for peace and love…” – Paraphrased [04:43]

• Crotchgate Explaned:
  “Are we allowed to talk about, you know, the male anatomy and, you know... Cause that's the area that this scandal has to do with.” – Matthew Futterman [06:43]

• On Lindsey Vonn’s Longevity:
  “I'm going to say 100% no, because she's the leader in the downhill this season. She's winning every week or getting on the podium…” – Matthew Futterman [11:17]

• On New Sports (Ski Mountaineering):
  “You run up the mountain… it's probably the most tiring Olympic event I could possibly imagine.” – Matthew Futterman [15:51]

• On Immigrant Athlete Impact:
  “In a lot of ways like without embracing people from other places, you know, we don't really have sports stars…” – Matthew Futterman [17:58]

• On the Magic of Milan:
  “Now we're in the Italian Alps, the Dolomites… it's going to have… that real organic feel that has been missing from the Olympics for quite some time.” – Matthew Futterman [27:13]

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:38-02:27 – Episode intro, Olympic preview, headlines, guest intro
• 03:04-04:23 – Olympic preparation and Italian “last-minute” style
• 04:23-06:09 – U.S. athletes and international relations
• 06:43-08:54 – Norwegian ski jumping scandal explained
• 08:54-12:09 – Lindsey Vonn’s torn ACL comeback and discussion of athletic longevity
• 13:07-15:05 – Mikaela Shiffrin’s injury, recovery, and expectations
• 15:17-16:16 – Introduction of ski mountaineering
• 17:09-18:32 – American figure skating stars
• 18:32-19:02 – Minions music drama (Spanish skater)
• 19:12-20:59 – Jamaican bobsled team and athlete safety in sliding sports
• 21:07-22:23 – Curling’s brief popularity
• 22:34-24:02 – NHL stars return to Olympics, Russian ban
• 25:02-26:36 – Biathlon’s American hope and Chloe Kim’s medal chances
• 26:40-28:03 – Why these Games will have unique atmosphere (Italian Alps “magic”)

Final Thoughts

This lively conversation balances breaking news, athlete profiles, humor, and critical context (from political dynamics to sports safety). Both host and guest keep the tone accessible, informative, and enthusiastic—perfect for listeners eager to follow the 2026 Winter Olympics.