Up First from NPR – Episode Summary

Title: Cheating in the Most-Polite Sport, Curling, and What Is "Sledhead?"
Date: February 16, 2026
Host: Ian Martinez
Guests/Contributors: Ping Huang (NPR Sports Reporter), Ruth Sherlock (NPR International Correspondent), Emily Kwong (Short Wave Science Podcast Co-Host), Brian Mann (NPR Reporter)

Overview

In this special edition of Up First: Winter Games, NPR dives into three major Olympic storylines: a rare and heated cheating scandal in curling, environmental concerns shadowing the “sustainable” Italian Olympics, and new scientific insights into the risks of high-speed sledding sports (bobsled, skeleton, and luge)—especially the phenomenon known as "sledhead." The episode blends breaking news, scientific reporting, and athlete stories, offering an engaging primer for listeners following the 2026 Winter Games.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

1. Historic Performances & Medal Races (02:20 – 04:00)

• Norway’s Johannes Klæbo wins his fourth gold medal at these Games, becoming the most decorated Winter Olympian ever with nine golds. He’s favored to win two more.
• Brazilian skier Lucas Pinheiro Broughton wins gold in Giant Slalom, the first Winter Olympic medal ever for South America.
• Mikaela Shiffrin misses the podium, finishing 11th in women’s Giant Slalom; optimism remains for her in the upcoming slalom event (Brian Mann’s commentary).

2. Curling Cheating Scandal: Politeness Under Pressure (04:00 – 08:49)

Allegation:

• During a Canada vs. Sweden match, the Swedes accused a Canadian curler of a “double touch”—keeping his hand on the stone past the hog line, which violates curling’s rules and spirit.
• In curling, athletes are expected to call their own fouls, honoring the sport’s “spirit of curling” and high code of sportsmanship.

Escalation:

• Canadian curler Mark Kennedy responded to the accusations with an expletive on live TV, described by Ping Huang as “totally shocking” (05:25).
  • Quote: “He told them to buzz off, but in stronger words on live television. And this, in the world of curling, was totally shocking.” – Ping Huang (00:31, 05:25)
• The Canadian team claims the accusations are a tactic to distract them and suggest they're being unfairly targeted (“persecuted”).

Rules & Official Response:

• World Curling clarified: No part of the rock should be touched in forward motion after release.
• Stones have sensors in their handles; the issue was touching the stone itself after releasing the sensor.
• Officials gave Canada a warning for inappropriate language and considered (then reversed) adding more officials to monitor foul play at the hog line.
  • Quote: “World Curling did issue a clarification of the rules which said that at no point during the game should you ever be touching a rock in forward motion… you have to release it from the handle, obviously, but you should not be touching it afterwards.” – Ping Huang (06:27)
• Social media and meme culture have taken over unofficial “adjudication.”

Memorable Moment:

• The notion of ‘Canadian politeness’ is upended by the on-air expletive:
  • Quote: “Oh, and can I say just one more thing? Because it's Canada and Canadians are known around the world to be so nice. And then to see him mouth that word... Oh, I think it run a shock. Shock wave.” – Ian Martinez (08:21)

3. Olympic Pin Trading & Jordan Stolz’s Speed Skating (08:49 – 10:30)

• Jordan Stolz wins the 500m speed skating, sets another Olympic record, with Simone Biles in attendance. He’s aiming for four golds total.

• Reporter’s Anecdote: Ping Huang procures a coveted “Snoop Dogg pin” at the Olympics, highlighting the quirky tradition of Olympic pin trading.

  • Quote (on trading pins): “Olympic pin trading is huge. It's like its own Olympic sport... I have gotten myself a Snoop Dogg pin. It's pretty awesome.” – Ping Huang (09:33)

4. Sustainability & Environmental Impact of the Italian Olympics (10:33 – 15:45)

Broken Promises?

• Organizers promised a sustainable Olympics, showcasing Alpine ecology.
• Reality: “Conspicuously missing” snow in the Italian Alps (Cortina)––little to no natural snow; artificial snow is used exclusively.
  • Quote: “There was one thing conspicuously missing, which is snow... the only snow you could see, really, was on the pistes, and that was artificial snow.” – Ruth Sherlock (11:04)
• Massive resources are required: enough water for 380 Olympic swimming pools, drawn from local alpine rivers already stressed by climate change.

Landscapes Transformed:

• At least 98 infrastructure projects underway—many lacking full environmental assessments.

• Historic bobsled track in Cortina rebuilt instead of using existing Austrian track, leading to the felling of hundreds of old-growth larch trees.

• Local resistance: Residents fear overdevelopment and the erasure of rural landscapes, referencing the much smaller and snowier 1956 Winter Olympics.

  • Quote: “Many, many people don't want this development because they worry it's going to transform this pristine rural landscape.” – Ruth Sherlock (14:31)
  • Quote: “The price of a pretty selfie, it could be high, right?” – Ian Martinez (15:37)

5. The Science & Risks of "Sledhead" in Sledding Sports (15:46 – 23:00)

What is Sledhead?

• Sledhead refers to a cluster of symptoms experienced by athletes in bobsled, luge, and skeleton: dizziness, exhaustion, cognitive issues, stress intolerance, and more, resulting from long-term exposure to vibration and high G-forces—not from crashes.
  • Quote: “The umbrella term of sled head describes a wide range of symptoms. Every case is different, but on the list is dizziness, exhaustion, nausea... cognitive problems, forgetfulness, emotional dysregulation issues.” – Emily Kwong (16:59)

Why Are G-Forces So Dangerous?

• Bobsledders can experience up to 5Gs (five times the force of gravity) on each high-speed run, with repeated exposure multiplying the risk.
• These impacts can cause the brain and brainstem to move inside the skull, risking long-term, sometimes invisible, injury—even when there are no concussions.
  • Quote: “Even a slight impact on the wall could cause the brain to move within the skull. And no helmet is going to protect you from that.” – Emily Kwong (18:58/19:00)

Sub-Concussive Trauma & Cultural Barriers

• The phenomenon is often under-recognized, as symptoms don’t always manifest as full concussions but as “sub-concussive impacts.”
• Athletes often push through symptoms; some required to retire early due to brain health.
  • Quote: “She said, 'I loved the sport, but the sport did not love me,' and it inspired her to become a doctor... She rehabilitates them and she says it's totally possible if sled head is caught and taken seriously early.” – Emily Kwong (21:15)

Calls for Change:

• Scientists and former athletes call for helmet sensors to monitor G-force exposure and urge a culture shift so long-term brain health is prioritized over short-term performance and Olympic glory.
  • Quote: “Unless there's some kind of regulatory change or culture change within the sliding sports, sledhead is just going to continue.” – Emily Kwong (22:34)

Comparisons to NFL & CTE:

• The bobsled/sledding community could learn from NFL’s response to concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), but sled head represents a different and even less-understood threat.

NOTABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS

• On Curling’s “Scandal”:

  • “He told them to buzz off, but in stronger words on live television. And this, in the world of curling, was totally shocking.” - Ping Huang (00:31, 05:25)
  • “Oh, and can I say just one more thing? Because it's Canada and Canadians are known around the world to be so nice. And then to see him mouth that word... Oh, I think it run a shock. Shock wave.” – Ian Martinez (08:21)

• On the Impact of the Olympics on Alpine Towns:

  • “Many, many people don't want this development because they worry it's going to transform this pristine rural landscape.” – Ruth Sherlock (14:31)
  • “The price of a pretty selfie, it could be high, right?” – Ian Martinez (15:37)

• On Sledhead:

  • “The umbrella term of sled head describes a wide range of symptoms... what's so interesting to me about sledhead is the culprit is not a crash. It's not anything dramatic. It's just the routine vibrational exposure and high G forces that these athletes are experiencing.” – Emily Kwong (16:59)

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• Main Olympic Updates: 02:20 – 04:00
• Curling Cheating Scandal: 04:00 – 08:49
• Jordan Stolz & Olympic Pin Trading: 08:49 – 10:30
• Sustainability & Alps Environmental Impact: 10:33 – 15:45
• Science of Sledhead / Brain Risks in Sledding: 15:46 – 23:00

TONE & STYLE

The episode maintains NPR’s informative but conversational tone, combining journalistic rigor with humor, athlete anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes Olympic flavor. Segments move quickly, reflecting the “Up First” ethos: energetic, engaging, and packed with content for listeners on the go.

Summary Takeaway

This Up First special gives listeners a genuine, on-the-ground feel for the high drama, controversies, and hidden dangers of the 2026 Winter Olympics—covering everything from unlikely rule violations in curling (the “polite sport”) to the invisible, accumulating health toll of sledding sports. It balances the celebratory tone of Olympic achievement with serious questions about sports ethics, environmental stewardship, and athlete safety in a changing climate.