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Episode Summary: Your Guide to the Winter Olympics
Release Date: February 3, 2026
Host: Amna Nawaz
Guest: Christine Brennan (Sports Journalist)
Episode Overview
This episode offers a comprehensive preview of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy, featuring a lively and insightful conversation with Christine Brennan, a trailblazing sports journalist who has covered 22 consecutive Olympic Games. Brennan shares her perspective as a seasoned reporter, discusses the U.S. team’s prospects in key sports like figure skating, skiing, and ice hockey, explains the debut of ski mountaineering (“schemo”), and explores how geopolitical tensions may intersect with the Games. Memorable stories from past Olympics and practical tips round out this engaging episode.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Christine Brennan’s Reflections and Approach
- Personal Excitement and Journalistic Purpose
- Despite decades on the Olympic beat, Brennan expresses ongoing excitement and gratitude, always mindful of her younger self’s awe at the Games.
“I still, I think it’s one of those things where you can be kind of in awe at the opening ceremonies while I’m writing a column for USA Today that is criticizing something the International Olympic Committee is doing at that exact moment.” — Christine Brennan [02:47]
- Despite decades on the Olympic beat, Brennan expresses ongoing excitement and gratitude, always mindful of her younger self’s awe at the Games.
- Dual Role as Fan and Critic
- She describes the balance of maintaining journalistic integrity while genuinely appreciating the Olympic spectacle.
Covering the Games: Logistics & Personal Touches
- Packing for the Olympics
- Brennan shares practical advice for covering a winter event, highlighting the necessity of scarves—her signature look and hometown tribute.
“My little tip… Guys have neckties. Women…Signature scarf. And I have about 10 of these. And they’re actually works of art from the Toledo Museum of Art, my hometown, of course.” — Christine Brennan [05:00]
- Brennan shares practical advice for covering a winter event, highlighting the necessity of scarves—her signature look and hometown tribute.
Unique Aspects of Milan-Cortina 2026
- New Olympic Geography
- The 2026 Games are unusually distributed, with events spanning Milan, Cortina, and several Alpine towns, making for a fragmented athlete and spectator experience but appearing seamless to TV viewers.
“There’s actually like satellite locations for these Olympics. We’ve never seen anything like this.” — Christine Brennan [06:59]
- The 2026 Games are unusually distributed, with events spanning Milan, Cortina, and several Alpine towns, making for a fragmented athlete and spectator experience but appearing seamless to TV viewers.
- Implications for Athletes & Fans
- No centralized USA House; athletes will stay in isolated hubs close to their event venues.
Geopolitics & Global Uncertainty
- Russian Exclusion & Doping Legacy
- Russia is fully banned due to its invasion of Ukraine and a “lifetime of cheating.” Some individual athletes may appear under neutral status, but no Russian teams, flags, or anthems will be present.
“This is the lifetime achievement award for the Russians in the sense of their cheating over the years, that they should have been kicked out earlier.” — Christine Brennan [09:27]
- Russia is fully banned due to its invasion of Ukraine and a “lifetime of cheating.” Some individual athletes may appear under neutral status, but no Russian teams, flags, or anthems will be present.
- Will Americans Be Booed?
- Brennan contemplates the possibility of U.S. athletes encountering protests or hostility due to current global tensions, noting the Games’ traditional status as an oasis from politics—but with history of political moments (e.g., Munich 1972 tragedy).
“Will the Americans be booed? … That’s a question I have never … had to seriously ask before.” — Christine Brennan [12:00]
- She predicts any such tensions will more likely manifest in press conferences, not during competitions.
- Brennan contemplates the possibility of U.S. athletes encountering protests or hostility due to current global tensions, noting the Games’ traditional status as an oasis from politics—but with history of political moments (e.g., Munich 1972 tragedy).
U.S. Athletes and Medal Prospects
Alpine Skiing: Mikaela Shiffrin
- A Comeback Story
- After a disappointing 2022 Games, Shiffrin is poised for redemption, focusing on her best events (slalom and giant slalom) and admired for her openness about mental health and resilience.
“Why people love her so much … is the way she handled it. Answered every question, showed up at interviews, didn’t run away.” — Christine Brennan [16:34]
- After a disappointing 2022 Games, Shiffrin is poised for redemption, focusing on her best events (slalom and giant slalom) and admired for her openness about mental health and resilience.
Figure Skating: U.S. Strength Across the Board
Brennan predicts the U.S. could have its strongest team ever:
- Men’s Singles: Ilia Malinin (“The Quad God”)
- 21, from D.C. suburbs, son of two Olympians, favorite for gold.
“He landed seven quadruple jumps in his long program … the most quadruple jumps ever by a human being in the history of figure skating.” — Christine Brennan [21:55]
- 21, from D.C. suburbs, son of two Olympians, favorite for gold.
- Ice Dance: Madison Chock & Evan Bates
- Married couple, fourth Olympics, seven-time national champions, seeking their first individual Olympic medal.
- Women’s Singles: Alysa Liu, Isabeau Levito, Amber Glenn
- Alysa Liu: Two-time national champ, world champion at 19, returned after retiring at 16; noted for sportsmanship.
“Alysa Liu … cheering for the only person who can beat her. … What a wonderful statement from this one 20-year-old…” — Christine Brennan [28:54]
- Isabeau Levito: Young, classic style, technically strong.
- Amber Glenn: 26, three-time national champ, only prominent openly LGBTQ woman in figure skating.
- Alysa Liu: Two-time national champ, world champion at 19, returned after retiring at 16; noted for sportsmanship.
- Medal Chances
- Potential for U.S. golds in men’s singles, team event, and ice dance—something no U.S. team has done since 1960.
Ice Hockey
- Men’s Hockey: NHL Pros Return
- NHL players are allowed to compete for the first time since 2014, raising talent and visibility.
“The NHL has realized the magnitude of the platform and the stage that the Olympics are and a way to elevate the sport…” — Christine Brennan [33:24]
- NHL players are allowed to compete for the first time since 2014, raising talent and visibility.
- Women’s Hockey: U.S. vs. Canada Rivalry
- Thanks to the U.S. pro league, the American team is prepared. Prediction: another fierce gold-medal battle between U.S. and Canada.
Doping, Rule Changes & Ongoing Issues
- Doping Remains a Threat
- The shadow of doping persists beyond Russia, affecting trust in all sports. Brennan notes improved systems but says, “The bad chemists are still way ahead of the good chemists.” [40:03]
New Olympic Sport: Ski Mountaineering (“Schemo”)
- What It Is and Why It Matters
- Debuting in 2026, “schemo” combines skiing and mountain climbing, with a key twist: skiing uphill.
“Skiing uphill. We are talking about … like an Ironman triathlon. … I think people are going to be going, what is this?” — Christine Brennan [44:18]
- Debuting in 2026, “schemo” combines skiing and mountain climbing, with a key twist: skiing uphill.
- Appeal to Younger Viewers
- Like previous innovations (snowboarding, X Games), schemo is designed to attract youth and those following the Olympics via social media.
The Magic and Memories of the Olympics
- Past Moments That Stick
Brennan reflects on iconic stories she’s witnessed—like the “Battle of the Brians” in 1988 and Michelle Kwan’s near-misses—and how that context shapes her reporting. > “To be able to put in perspective the battle of the Brians in 1980 in Calgary … I think that helps the reader, that helps the viewer, the consumer of news, understand the magnitude of what they’re watching.” — Christine Brennan [48:35]
Memorable Quotes
- “You can be kind of in awe at the opening ceremonies while I’m writing a column for USA Today that is criticizing something the International Olympic Committee is doing at that exact moment.” — Christine Brennan [02:47]
- “This is the lifetime achievement award for the Russians in the sense of their cheating over the years.” — Christine Brennan [09:27]
- “Will the Americans be booed? … I have never … had to seriously ask before.” — Christine Brennan [12:00]
- “He landed seven quadruple jumps in his long program. … Hello, Quad God.” — Christine Brennan [21:55]
- “Alysa Liu … cheering for the only person who can beat her. … What a wonderful statement from this one 20 year old…” — Christine Brennan [28:54]
- “Skiing uphill. We are talking about … like an Ironman triathlon. … I think people are going to be going, what is this?” — Christine Brennan [44:18]
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:15 | Christine Brennan reflects on her Olympic journey and excitement | | 05:00 | Packing tips—signature scarves and covering past Olympic news | | 06:59 | Unique geographic spread of Milan-Cortina 2026 | | 09:27 | Russian ban explained—“lifetime achievement award for cheating” | | 12:00 | Could U.S. athletes be booed? Olympics and global politics | | 16:34 | Mikaela Shiffrin’s redemption arc in alpine skiing | | 19:37 | U.S. figure skating prospects and historical parallels | | 21:55 | Ilia Malinin as “Quad God” and team event preview | | 28:54 | Alysa Liu’s sportsmanship at Nationals | | 32:50 | NHL pros return to Olympic men’s hockey | | 35:51 | Evolution of women’s hockey and U.S./Canada rivalry prediction | | 39:32 | Doping legacy, Russia, and ongoing vigilance | | 44:18 | Schemo explained—skiing uphill and Olympic innovation | | 48:20 | Brennan’s memories of historic Winter Olympic moments |
Tone and Style Notes
Brennan and Nawaz maintain a lively, conversational tone, mixing hard news and sports analysis with warmth, humor, and empathy for the athletes. Brennan brings both the perspective of a seasoned reporter and the excitement of a lifelong fan, delivering insights and anecdotes that make the episode engaging for Olympic enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
For more Olympic insights, follow Christine Brennan at Milan Magic, her podcast co-hosted with Olympic champion Brian Boitano.