The Daily – "Boos, Rivalries and Records: Inside the 2026 Olympics"

Date: February 15, 2026
Hosts: Rachel Abrams, with Motoko Rich, Shawna Richer, and Juliette McCur (The New York Times)

Episode Overview

This episode takes listeners inside the high drama, geopolitics, and athletic feats of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The discussion spans diplomatic tensions, national rivalries (especially the U.S. vs. Canada), the boundaries of political expression among athletes, and personal narratives of triumph and heartbreak on the Olympic stage. Through interviews with NYT correspondents on the ground, the episode explores how the Games have become a stage for more than athletic competition—they are a mirror of international alliances, cultural fault lines, and deeply personal stories.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Political Atmosphere Surrounding Team USA

(00:34–09:28)

• Backdrop of Tension: Host Rachel Abrams notes the Olympics are often about overcoming adversity and national pride, but this year, geopolitics is especially pronounced as the U.S. faces off against countries at odds with the Trump administration.
• Motoko Rich’s On-the-Ground Perspective: Motoko describes a politically charged environment in Milan, including anxiety over U.S. diplomatic visits by ICE agents and public concern about imported American policies.
• Opening Ceremony Reaction:
  • American athletes receive cheers, but there's hostility when Vice President J.D. Vance appears on the Jumbotrons.
    • "Those are a lot of boos for him." – Shawna Richer (03:52)
  • The distinction is made: the booing was for political leaders, not athletes.
• Athletes' Self-Awareness:
  • U.S. athletes are conscious of America's controversial political climate:
    • Skater Amber Glenn speaks out on LGBTQ issues:
      • "It's been a hard time for the community overall under this administration." – Juliette McCur relaying Glenn (05:10)
    • Michaela Shifrin reads Mandela:
      • "Peace is not just the absence of conflict. Peace is the creation of an environment where we can all flourish." – Michaela Shifrin (05:55)
    • Hunter Hess shares mixed emotions:
      • "It brings up mixed emotions to represent the US Right now, I think." – Hunter Hess via Juliette McCur (06:25)
• IOC Guidelines on Political Expression:
  • Athletes cannot make political statements during competition or on the podium but are permitted to discuss social and racial justice in press settings.
  • Explicit partisan or anti-Trump statements are avoided, but broader values are discussed.
• Backlash from the White House:
  • After Hess’s remarks, Trump’s allies and Trump himself respond critically on social media:
    • "If you don't want to compete for the United States, move to Canada." – Paraphrased, Richard Grinnell (07:49)
    • Trump calls Hess a "loser" on Truth Social.
• Impact on Athletes:
  • No evidence of active booing during actual competitions, but significant pressure is acknowledged.
  • Motoko on the stress:
    • "Everything they do is televised, including when they're sitting waiting for their scores. You can see their every expression." (08:34)

2. Hockey as a Proxy for Geopolitics: U.S. vs. Canada

(11:28–21:43)

• Cultural Significance:
  • Shawna Richer (Canadian and sports editor) explains hockey is the "most direct representation" of U.S.-Canada relations at these Games.
• Historical Context:
  • 1980 "Miracle on Ice": U.S. vs. Soviet Union exemplified Cold War tensions (13:15–14:08).
  • With Russia's diminished role, Canada-U.S. became the marquee rivalry.
• Recent Political Escalation:
  • Trump's public criticism of Canada and economic threats increase tensions (15:44).
  • Canadian frustration and anger peaked after Trump's tariff threats and dismissive attitude towards Prime Minister Mark Carney (19:25).
• Rivalry Turned Physical:
  • The 2025 Four Nations Tournament:
    • Pre-Game: Canadian fans boo the U.S. anthem.
    • Within the first seconds: Three fights break out in nine seconds—"very over the top, even for hockey."
      • "A US player whaling on a Canada player...it’s very rare in international hockey." – Shawna Richer (17:52)
• Olympic Impact:
  • The expectation is a U.S.-Canada gold medal game, but less violence is likely due to Olympic sanctions.
  • For Canadians:
    • "Canada winning a gold medal, it's really a defensive stand for the country. It's a massive point of nationalistic pride." – Shawna Richer (20:38)
  • For the U.S.: The stakes are high, but the emotional weight is even greater for Canada.
  • Canadian Identity: Hockey is core—defeat at the hands of the U.S. would be a deep bruise.

3. Stars and Shocking Narratives: Athlete Spotlights

(23:09–45:31)

A. Trends in Olympic Athletes

• More "older" athletes: Succeeding through better training and conditioning, athletes now often compete in multiple Olympics (24:21).
• Depth of the U.S. team: U.S. expected to win medals across a broader range of sports than ever before.

B. Lindsey Vonn: Comeback and Catastrophe

• Legendary skier, age 41, competing after partial knee replacement.
• Comeback from retirement and surgery leads to dramatic wins pre-Olympics:
  • "History in the making. 41 years of age. Oldest winner of a World cup race." – Juliette McCur (27:35)
• Disaster strikes:
  • Tears ACL nine days before Olympics yet chooses to compete anyway.
  • Crashes 13 seconds into her Olympic run, requiring surgery and evacuation.
    • "She had to be airlifted out, and...it was pretty horrific." – Juliette McCur (30:20)
• Likely the end of her Olympic career.

C. Ilya Malinin: The Quad God’s Collapse

• Malinin (21), revolutionary U.S. figure skater, famous for the quad axel and on-ice backflips.
  • "The Quad God says, tonight I own this Olympic ice." – Malinin via Juliette McCur (32:00)
  • "Every time he does (the quad axel) in competition, it’s like the windows shatter..." – Juliette McCur (33:53)
• Entered the Games as a gold medal favorite.
• During the men’s free skate:
  • Falters repeatedly, falls twice, loses all medal chances.
    • "He fell twice in the program…the whole audience groans, nope, not going to get there." – Juliette McCur (38:57)
• Emotional press appearance:
  • "Right before I got into my starting pose, I just had so many thoughts and memories flood...maybe overwhelmed me..." – Malinin via Juliette McCur (40:01)
  • He reports being consumed by years of pressure and negative thoughts at the pivotal moment.
• Lessons on Pressure:
  • Discussion draws a parallel to Simone Biles, present in the stands.
  • Reference to Nathan Chen’s failure and later redemption.
• Juliette’s takeaway:
  • "It's so incredible to watch them because they do things that are superhuman, but it's also incredible because they're human. And that’s what makes the Olympics so powerful." – Juliette McCur (45:12)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On distinguishing athletes from politics:

  • "They’re not directing their anger at the athletes, but there is some expression of anger when the Vice President’s face showed up on the screen." – Motoko Rich (03:54)

• On U.S.-Canada hockey rivalry:

  • "The hockey is almost acting as a proxy for what the countries are sort of experiencing politically." – Shawna Richer (12:04)
  • "A Canada victory over the Americans at this moment in time would feel very, very good." – Shawna Richer (21:24)

• On the scale of Olympic pressure:

  • "Everything they do is televised, including when they're sitting waiting for their scores. You can see their every expression." – Motoko Rich (08:34)

• On athletic mortality and resilience:

  • "My body just can't take another four years. But I'm proud. I'm proud to have competed for my country." – Lindsey Vonn (paraphrased, 26:00)

• On Olympic heartbreak:

  • "The pressure of the Olympics is it's really something different. And I think that not a lot of people will understand that...from the inside." – Ilya Malinin via Juliette McCur (41:05)

• On why the Olympics matter:

  • "What keeps me coming back to cover it every two years...they do things that are superhuman, but it's also incredible because they're human." – Juliette McCur (45:12)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Political Context and Public Reaction: 00:34–09:28
• Hockey Rivalry Backstory and Current Tensions: 11:28–21:43
• Olympic Athlete Trends and Lindsey Vonn Profile: 23:09–31:16
• Ilya Malinin’s Story and Broader Reflection on Athletic Pressure: 31:25–45:31

Conclusion

This episode vividly illustrates how the 2026 Olympics are not just about records and medal counts, but about athletes navigating global tensions, national expectations, and personal trials. From the political undertones in opening ceremonies and sports as a stand-in for diplomatic drama, to the raw humanity displayed in both triumph and defeat, the Games remain a unique crucible for both the world's aspirations and anxieties.