Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin was doing everything in her power not to curse during a Today Show appearance, but it happened anyway.

On Wednesday, Shiffrin won gold in the slalom. It was her first medal since winning a silver in the combined at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. The win ended an 0-for-8 skid during the Winter Games, which included DNFs in three events four years ago.

On Thursday, Shriffin appeared on the Today Show to reflect on her gold medal journey. She was deep in conversation with Carson Daly, Hoda Kotb and Craig Melvin when an unintentionally hilarious moment happened. The Olympian accidentally cursed on camera, dropping an f-bomb. (Warning: link contains NSFW words)

‘There’s been, definitely, a spiritual journey the last years that are just― I don’t know. I took the moment, and I just said [expletive],’ Shiffrin said.

Realizing her error, Shiffrin’s eyes immediately widened in fear, but, before she knew it, another curse worse escaped.

‘[Expletive],’ the skier said before covering her mouth, embarrassed by both blunders.

The Today Show crew offered words of comfort to Shiffrin as the Olympic skier took a deep breath and tried her best to laugh off the moment.

‘It’s OK! It’s OK! It’s OK!’ Melvin said.

Shiffrin hung her head and smiled before admitting that the moment did not go the way she planned.

‘That went so bad,’ she said, laughing.

FIFA has announced that it will invest more than $70 million in Gaza to help rebuild the war-torn region.

The announcement came during the first meeting of Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Washington, D.C., which FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended.

The project is a joint venture between FIFA and the Board of Peace that will see a number of soccer-related investments made across Gaza, which has been decimated amid a war between Israel and Hamas.

FIFA’s proposed investment includes the following:

50 mini pitches – $2.5 million
Five full-sized pitches – $5 million
FIFA academy – $15 million
National stadium with 20,000-25,000 seats – $50 million

In an AI-generated video shown at the Board of Peace meeting, various soccer pitches and facilities rise from the rubble of Gaza.

FIFA and the Board of Peace will come together to “turn football into a bridge toward peace, dignity and hope,” the video’s narrator said, adding that “a complete football ecosystem will be created” in Gaza.

FIFA said it would also help create leagues at the youth, amateur and regional levels.

‘We all have to contribute for this, and that’s why FIFA wants to contribute,’ Infantino said. ‘Because we don’t have to just rebuild houses or schools or hospital or roads. We also have to rebuild and build people, emotion, hope and trust. And this is what football, my sport, is about.’

Trump added that FIFA would be ‘getting the greatest stars in the world to go’ to Gaza to help support the project.

The Board of Peace was established to bring an end to the war in Gaza, as international delegates discuss the next steps in a fragile ceasefire that was approved in October.

Editor’s Note: The women’s hockey gold medal game between Team USA and Canada is underway. Click here for updates on the game.

MILAN — It’s Thursday, Feb. 19 at the 2026 Winter Olympics and we’re underway with another day of competition at the Milano Cortina Games.

Team USA women’s hockey faced a 1-0 deficit to Canada in the gold medal match, before captain Hilary Knight tied the game on a goal with under two minutes left. The Americans then secured gold on a game-winning goal from Megan Keller during the 3-on-3 overtime period, capping off the comeback.

American speed skater Jordan Stolz earned the first American medal of the day, taking the silver in the men’s 1,500 meter final. He had already won gold in the 500- and 1,000-meter events.

Alysa Liu currently sits in third place in women’s singles and is the United States’ best chance at a medal in ice skating. The 20-year-old posted a 76.59 in the short program on Feb. 17.

USA TODAY has a team of more than a dozen journalists on the ground in Italy to bring you behind the scenes with Team USA and keep you up to date with every medal win, big moment and triumphant finish. Get our Chasing Gold newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest updates right in your texts.

Alysa Liu dominates free skate

Alysa Liu puts together an absolutely electric free skate performance, scoring a 150.20 to vault into first place in the standings with only two skaters left. She has nearly a 10-point lead over second place and is in line to be the United States’ first medalist since 2006.

She was ecstatic as she left the ice, letting out a ‘that’s what I’m (expletive) talking about’ after finishing her run. The crowd erupted for Liu as the score came in. – Austin Curtright

Team USA women’s hockey wins gold

Megan Keller wins it for Team USA, nailing the game-winning goal in the 3-on-3 overtime period on a nifty backhand move. Pandemonium ensues from the rest of Team USA’s squad, along with coach John Wroblewski being shown crying on the NBC broadcast.

It’s Team USA’s first gold medal since the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. – Austin Curtright

Team USA women’s hockey ties Canada in third period

Wow, Team USA ties Canada at 1-1 with under two minutes remaining on a Hilary Knight tap in. The captain comes up big in a huge moment for the U.S. to force overtime.

The goal was Knight’s 15th of her Olympic career, which breaks a Team USA record. – Austin Curtright

Svea Irving, Kate Gray advance to women’s freeski final

Americans Svea Irving (8th) and Kate Gray (12th) finished in the top 12 of women’s freeski qualifying to advance to the finals on Feb. 21.Gray had to wait out a long list of hopefuls after scoring a 74.75 that proved good enough. Irving’s best score was an 80.75.Abby Winterberger (72.50), in her first Olympics at age 15, finished 16th. Riley Jacobs (56.50) was 18th – Gentry Estes

Amber Glenn bounces back, scores a 147.52 in free skate

Amber Glenn bounces back with a strong score of 147.52 in the free skate, which comes two days after a disappointing showing in the short program. The 26-year-old from Plano, Texas, landed a triple axel and was nearly perfect outside of a small slip near the end of her run.

Glenn entered the day in 13th place, and her total score of 214.91 likely won’t be enough to medal. Still, it’s an impressive bounce back skate for one of the United States’ brightest stars of the 2026 Winter Olympics. She ended her skate with her signature fist pump and yelled ‘oh my god’ after seeing her score. – Austin Curtright

Read more on Glenn here.

Eileen Gu has cleaner second run

LIVIGNO, Italy — Eileen Gu responded like a champ after falling in her opening run of women’s freeski halfpipe qualifying. 

She produced a clean second run, reaching a height of more than four meters on her jumps and receiving a clutch 86.50. That should ensure a top-12 finish, allowing her to advance to the Feb. 21 final.

The American-born Gu, who competes for China, made freestyle skiing history in 2022 by winning three Olympic medals in Beijing. She’s aiming to do it again in 2026, having won silver already in big air and slopestyle in these Games. – Gentry Estes

Svea Irving posts strong first run of women’s snowboard halfpipe qualifying for Team USA

LIVIGNO, Italy — Svea Irving, the sister of fellow U.S. Olympic freeski halfpipe team member Birk Irving, posted the best score of the four Americans in the first run of women’s freeski halfpipe qualifying at Livigno Snow Park.

Irving scored a 77.75, which has her seventh after one turn through the field of 21.

Abby Winterberger – at age 15 is the youngest member of Team USA – was excited after her opening run, which scored a 72.25 to put her squarely on the bubble in 12th place. Meanwhile, Riley Jacobs had a clean run but didn’t quite reach another gear, scoring an opening 56.50. She is in 16th, while Kate Gray is farther back after falling early in her run for a 5.25.

Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin leads the field after the first run with a 91.50, followed by Cassie Sharpe of Canada (88.25). Each skier gets two runs, and the best score for each counts toward determining the 12 who’ll advance to the finals. – Gentry Estes

Canada takes early lead in women’s hockey gold medal game

Kristin O’Neill scored her third goal of the 2026 Olympics to give the Canadians a 1-0 lead over Team USA. The shorthanded goal was assisted by Laura Stacey and Renata Fast at the 20:54 mark. It marks the first time the United States has trailed in the entire tournament. – Cydney Henderson

USA-Canada women’s hockey scoreless after first period

It’s a scoreless first period of action between Team USA and Canada in the women’s hockey gold medal game. The United States will start the second period on the power play.

Click here for live updates from USA vs. Canada in the women’s hockey gold medal game.

Eileen Gu falls during first run of women’s freeski halfpipe qualification

LIVIGNO, Italy — Eileen Gu fell during her opening run in the women’s freeski halfpipe qualification at Livigno Snow Park, losing a ski as she collided with a wall.

The American-born Gu, who competes for China, is attempting the rare feat of medaling in a third event. She already has two silver medals in these Olympics from the big air and slopestyle competitions. 

She will need better than her initial score of 16.25 on the first run to qualify tonight, though.

A field of 21 skiers in the halfpipe will each get two runs, with the best scoring counting. The top 12 skiers qualify for the finals. – Gentry Estes

USA women’s hockey vs Canada gold medal game underway

The puck has been dropped in Milan between the United States and Canada in the gold medal match of women’s hockey.

The United States, led by captain Hilary Knight, is looking to get its first Olympic gold medal since the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and its second win over Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Meanwhile, Canada, led by captain Marie-Philip Poulin, is looking for back-to-back gold medals against the United States.

Click here for live updates from USA vs. Canada in the women’s hockey gold medal game.

Mikaela Shiffrin lets curse words slip on live TV

Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin was doing everything in her power not to curse during a live television appearance, but it happened anyway.

On Wednesday, Shiffrin won gold in the slalom. It was her first medal since winning a silver in the combined at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.

Shriffin appeared on NBC’s ‘Today’ to reflect on her gold medal journey. She was deep in conversation with Carson Daly, Hoda Kotb and Craig Melvin when an unintentionally hilarious moment happened. The Olympian accidentally cursed on camera, dropping an F-bomb.

Realizing her error, Shiffrin’s eyes immediately widened in fear, but, before she knew it, another swear worse escaped. − Meghan L. Hall

Speedskating star Jordan Stolz claims silver in men’s 1,500 meters

 Jordan Stolz’s quest for four gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics has ended.

A favorite in the men’s 1,500 meters, Stolz took home silver, finishing behind an Olympic record-breaking performance from China’s Zhongyan Ning.

‘I didn’t have my best race,’ Stolz said after the event. ‘There’s nothing I could do about it. Ning had his best race and I’m happy he was able to get it. He tries really hard and he’s always trying to be on the podium and now he was able to win, so that’s super cool for him.’

Stolz, who looked exhausted, was 1.35 seconds back going into his last lap, and he ran out of time to catch Ning, who clocked a blazing 1:41.98 in the race of his life. 

‘It was still a good race, I’m still happy with silver and I still have two golds,’ Stolz said.

Stolz has one more race to go at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 21-year-old from Wisconsin will compete in the mass start on Saturday. − Josh Peter and Nancy Armour

Ice in Milan yields another Olympic speed skating record

Olympic records are falling in quick succession in the men’s 1,500-meter race.

Less than five minutes after Joep Wennemars set one, China’s Ning Zhongyan bettered it. Ning skated a 1:41.98, a full 1.07 seconds faster than Wennemars did. And Jordan Stolz, who set Olympic records in the 500 and 1,000 meters, is still to come. 

This means an Olympic record has been set in all three of the sprint races after Jordan Stolz did it in the 500 and 1,000 meters. − Nancy Armour

US women’s curling team advances to semis

For the first time since the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City, the U.S. women’s curling team has advanced to the semifinals. The Americans needed an extra end to take care of business after Switzerland scored three points to tie things up in the 10th.

On the final shot, U.S. skip Tabitha Peterson drew her rock around three Swiss stones and it barely stopped inside the 4-foot circle. The 7-6 win gave the Americans the second seed in the semifinals. Despite the loss, Switzerland also advanced as the No. 3 seed.

Switzerland defeats Sweden for women’s hockey bronze

The Swiss women’s hockey team is ending its Olympic campaign on a high note.

After suffering a narrow semifinal loss to Canada, Switzerland defeated Sweden 2-1 in overtime in the bronze-medal match to finish on the podium. The bronze medal marks Switzerland’s second overall Olympic medal and the nation’s first since the 2014 Sochi Games. 

Alina Muller scored the game-winning goal with just 50 seconds left in overtime.

The sides were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, after Sweden’s Mira Jungaker and Switzerland’s Sinja Leemann both scored goals in the second period. − Cydney Henderson

First skaters hit the ice in men’s 1,500 meters

Even before Jordan Stolz takes the ice in the 1,500 meter speedskating final, his American teammates are well behind the leader. Emery Lehman’s time of 1:47.23 has him in eighth place, currently, 1.86 seconds behind Poland’s Vladimir Semirunniy. Casey Dawson is 12th, skating a 1:47.88. − Nancy Armour

Dutch fans out in full force for speed skating finals

The Milano Speed Skating Arena looks like it’s in Netherlands, rather than Italy. 

Almost the entire arena is filled with orange-clad fans for the men’s 1,500-meter race. Not a surprise. The Dutch travel well for pretty much any sport, and they’re particularly passionate about speedskating. Plus, the Netherlands’ Kjeld Nuis has both the world and Olympic records. He’ll skate in the third-to-last pair, two ahead of Jordan Stolz. 

Stolz won every 1,500-meter race in the World Cup season. Nuis was second to him twice, and third in another two of the five races. − Nancy Armour

Russian wins ‘skimo’ silver for first Olympic AIN medal

Nikita Filippov of Russia has won the first medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics for Individual And Neutral athletes (represented by the acronym AIN).

Filippov placed second and earned silver in the men’s ski mountaineering sprint competition, the first new Olympic sport since 1998.

Russia and Belarus were banned by the International Olympic Committee for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and these Games as a result of the war in Ukraine. However, individual athletes screened and cleared by an IOC committee – which includes a social media review – were allowed to participate. − Chris Bumbaca

Alysa Liu, her father and Chinese spies: An Olympic odyssey

Millions of people will watch Alysa Liu when the 20-year-old U.S. figure skater competes for a medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Can that be any more unnerving than being watched by Chinese spies?

In 2022, the U.S. Justice Department charged five men with acting on behalf of the Chinese government and targeting Chinese dissidents in the United States. The dissidents included Liu’s father, Arthur, who organized pro-Democracy protests in China before fleeing the country in 1989. And, according to her father, Alysa Liu was targeted too.

In emails sent to USA TODAY Sports, Arthur Liu described activities he said put him in danger. − Josh Peter

Australian reporter apologizes for drinking before Olympics live shot

An Australian commentator covering the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno has issued a public apology for slurring her words on a live broadcast and appearing to be drunk on camera.

Danika Mason said she ‘totally misjudged’ the effect of having alcohol before her appearance Wednesday on Channel Nine’s Today show, explaining the following day that the ‘cold, we’ve got altitude, not having had dinner probably didn’t help as well.’

On the live shot, Mason veered off-topic while discussing Olympic locations, even throwing in a random reference to iguanas.

On Thursday’s broadcast, Mason issued a live apology taking ‘full responsibility’ for her actions.

Jordan Stolz aims for third gold in speed skating

So declared Laurent Dubreuil, a Canadian speed skater, this week at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Well, not so fast, Mr. Dubreuil and others making such proclamations.

Stolz, the 21-year-old from Wisconsin, has won two Olympic gold medals, leaving him halfway home to his quest for four golds at the Milano Cortina Winter Games.

He enters today’s 1,500 meters as the clear favorite, having won the race in each of his five World Cup appearances during the 2025-26 season. Stolz is in the last pairing of the lineup, skating 15th and paired with Norway’s Peder Kongshaug. − Josh Peter

Brothers go viral supporting USA women’s hockey player

Sibling rivalries typically exist within families, but Haley Winn’s brothers collectively agree she’s the most athletic person in their family. She is representing the United States in the 2026 Winter Olympics, after all.

‘I think it’s pretty obvious,’ Tommy Winn, one of her three older brothers, told USA TODAY Sports on Monday ahead of the U.S. women’s national hockey team’s 5-0 semifinal shutout of Sweden. ‘She’s competing … on the biggest stage in the world, so it’s got to be Haley.’

The Olympic dream is not Winn’s alone. She’s sharing the moment and experience with her entire family, who traveled to Milan to cheer her on in person. Her three brothers − Casey, Ryan and Tommy Winn − have taken it a step further with viral coordinating outfits and wholesome antics that have captivated audiences across the nation. − Cydney Henderson

Sasha Cohen: Olympic sacrifices ultimately worth it

Twenty years ago, I was on the Olympic podium in Turin, Italy. Now, I’m back as a spectator, watching the figure skating events with both nostalgia and relief as I relive the highs and lows of my Olympic experience. I was keenly reminded of my own choice to pursue the Olympic dream at the expense of all else.

It stirred reflections on my skating career and all that has transpired since. Knowing what it took, I would still do it again in a heartbeat. At the same time, it’s hard to imagine my kids following in my footsteps — not only because of what I missed out on, but the weight of the hopes and expectations I carried.

No American medal in ski mountaineering sprints

American Anna Gibson finished fifth in her heat and was eliminated in the semifinals of the women’s sprint in ski mountaineering. The top two in each of the two semifinal heats, plus the fastest two remaining times (also called ‘lucky losers’) moved on to the finals. 

In the men’s sprint, Team USA’s Cameron Smith finished sixth in his heat and also failed to qualify for the finals.

Gibson and Smith will compete in the mixed team relay Saturday.

Ski mountaineering, or skimo, is making its Olympics debut at Milano Cortina, making it the first new Olympic sport, officially, since 1998. − Chris Bumbaca

Sidney Crosby still uncertain for Canada’s hockey semifinal

In the immediate aftermath of Sidney Crosby leaving a game because of injury, Team Canada coach Jon Cooper said he didn’t know Crosby’s status and noted, ‘I don’t even have my poker face on.’

It was back on the next day, as Cooper declined to give a definitive answer on the status of Canada’s men’s hockey team captain, who did not partake in an optional practice.

However, Cooper did not rule Crosby out for the remainder of the 2026 Winter Olympics, which at most would be two games. Canada plays a semifinal game against Finland on Friday. Win that, and the gold medal game is next. − Helene St. James

Alysa Liu faces uphill climb for skating gold

 Alysa Liu is Team USA’s best hope to break the women’s figure skating Winter Olympics medal drought.

Liu is in third place heading into tonight’s free skate, in position to be the first American woman to win a medal in 20 years — possibly the first gold since 2002. However, it won’t be a cakewalk. 

Ahead of Liu are the Japan duo of Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto, and right behind her is another Japanese skater in Mone Chiba. Plus, Russia native Adeliia Petrosian is lurking. − Jordan Mendoza

Two Americans into ski mountaineering sprint semifinals

In the ski mountaineering debut at the Olympics, two Americans made it out of the individual heats phase and into the semifinals of the men’s (Cameron Smith) and women’s (Anna Gibson) sprint races.

Both Smith and Gibson qualified as ‘lucky losers,’ meaning they didn’t automatically advance based on their finish in their respective heats but because of their times compared to the totality of the field.

Gibson and Smith will compete in the mixed team relay Saturday. — Chris Bumbaca

Heavy snow postpones men’s halfpipe, aerials

As heavy snow continues to blanket the area, the men’s freestyle skiing halfpipe qualification set for this morning has been rescheduled for the morning of following day, Feb. 20, with finals tentatively set for that evening.The men’s aerials competition has also been pushed back to Feb. 20, with qualifying and finals set to take place on the same day.

For now, the women’s freeski halfpipe qualification is still scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time on Feb. 19 – assuming the snow stops and the weather allows it to happen on time. — Gentry Estes

Where to watch Olympics today

Watch all 2026 Winter Olympics events on NBC and Peacock.

Watch Olympics on Peacock

Olympics schedule today

All times Eastern (start times subject to change)

3:05 a.m. – Curling: Men’s Round Robin – SWE vs. CZA, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
3:05 a.m. – Curling: Men’s Round Robin – ITA vs. SUI, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
3:05 a.m. – Curling: Men’s Round Robin – CHN vs. GER, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
3:05 a.m. – Curling: Men’s Round Robin – NOR vs. CAN, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
3:10 a.m. – Nordic Combined: Team Sprint SJP, Trial Round, Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium (Val di Fiemme)
3:50 p.m. – Ski Mountaineering: Women’s Sprint Heats, Stelvio Ski Centre (Bormio, Valtellina)
4 a.m. – Bobsleigh: 4-man Official Training Heat 3 & 4, Cortina Sliding Centre (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
4 a.m. – Nordic Combined: Team Sprint SJP, Competition Round, Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium (Val di Fiemme)
4:30 a.m. (DELAYED) – Freestyle Skiing: Men’s Freeski Halfpipe Qualification Run 1, Livigno Snow Park (Livigno)
4:30 a.m. – Ski Mountaineering: Women’s Sprint Heats, Stelvio Ski Centre (Bormio, Valtellina)
5:27 a.m. (DELAYED) – Freestyle Skiing: Men’s Freeski Halfpipe Qualification Run 2, Livigno Snow Park (Livigno)
5:30 a.m. (DELAYED) – Freestyle Skiing: Men’s Aerials Finals (Medal Event), Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park (Livigno, Valtellina)
6:55 a.m. – Ski Mountaineering: Women’s Sprint Semifinals, Stelvio Ski Centre (Bormio, Valtellina)
7:25 a.m. – Ski Mountaineering: Men’s Sprint Semifinals, Stelvio Ski Centre (Bormio, Valtellina)
7:55 a.m. – Ski Mountaineering: Women’s Sprint Final (Medal Event), Stelvio Ski Centre (Bormio, Valtellina)
8 a.m. – Bobsleigh: 2-Women Official Training Heat 3 & 4, Cortina Sliding Centre (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
8 a.m. – Nordic Combined: Team Sprint, Cross-Country, Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium (Val di Fiemme)
8:05 a.m. – Curling: Women’s Round Robin – SUI vs. USA, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
8:05 a.m. – Curling: Women’s Round Robin – CAN vs. KOR, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
8:05 a.m. – Curling: Women’s Round Robin – JPN vs. CHN, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
8:05 a.m. – Curling: Women’s Round Robin – GBR vs. ITA, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
8:15 a.m. – Ski Mountaineering: Men’s Sprint Final, Stelvio Ski Centre (Bormio, Valtellina)
8:40 a.m. – Ice Hockey: Women’s Bronze Medal Game – Switzerland vs. Sweden, Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
10:30 a.m. – Speed Skating: Men’s 1500m (Medal Event), Milano Speed Skating Stadium (Rho, Milan)
1 p.m. – Figure Skating: Women’s Singles Skating – Free Skating, Milano Ice Skating Arena (Milan)
1:05 p.m. – Curling: Men’s Semifinal , Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
1:05 p.m. – Curling: Men’s Semifinal , Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
1:10 p.m. – Ice Hockey: Women’s Gold Medal Game – USA vs. Canada, Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
1:30 p.m. – Freestyle Skiing: Women’s Freeski Halfpipe Qualification 1 & 2, Livigno Snow Park (Livigno)

Jordan Stolz aims for third speed skating gold

The next step: Stolz will compete in the men’s 1,500 meters, which gets underway at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Peacock will provide coverage of what could be another Olympic record for Stolz to go along with the two he set in his other races – the 500 meters and the 1,000 meters. — Josh Peter

Heavy snow fall delays events in Livigno

Heavy snow is back in the area and again postponing Olympic events, as has been a theme of this week.For now, the freestyle skiing men’s aerials qualifying and finals have been moved back a day to Feb. 20.The freeski men’s halfpipe qualifying at Livigno Snow Park, which was set to begin this morning, has been postponed until conditions hopefully improve during the afternoon, according to U.S. Ski & Snowboard.

Olympics medal count

Following competition on Wednesday, Feb. 18, Norway continues to lead the medal standings with 33 (15 gold, eight silver, 10 bronze). Host nation Italy has the second-most medals with 26, followed by the United States (24), Japan (22), Germany (21), and Austria and France (17 apiece).

More 2026 Winter Olympics

The NBA is set to return today from an all-star break that provided reporters an opportunity to hear Adam Silver’s thoughts on some of the egregious tanking that took place the first half of the season. Fresh off the league doling out fines to the Jazz and Pacers, it was the first topic Silver was asked about during his annual all-star press conference, and he admitted tanking has been worse this year.

There was a caveat, though. Silver also said teams are in a difficult place, because while fans don’t want their teams to be bad, they often have to root for them to lose to improve draft position. Reading into his two-sided response, it was clear those fines weren’t simply because the Jazz and Pacers were tanking. It was about how they were tanking.

The league has let plenty cases of tanking slide in the past. In the case of Utah and Indiana, it was the ‘overt’ nature of how they did it, as the NBA said in its announcement. And let’s be honest, that overt tanking only bothered one community of people: bettors.

On his Greatest Of All Talk podcast, NBA writer Ben Golliver pointed directly at gambling for the fines: ‘If coaches are just willy-nilly not playing guys the entire game and they’re not letting people know in advance that they plan to do that, you’re going to have a lot of angry gamblers and a lot of angry gambling companies as well,’ he said.

Tom Haberstroh echoed a similar sentiment on The Big Number podcast, saying ‘I think a lot of the partnerships they’ve made, they’re having trouble being able to say, yeah we have these injury reports and you can 100 percent trust them.’

Fans across social media are bristling at the mere thought of gambling companies dictating the NBA’s decision-making, but the time for purse-clutching about the impact of having sportsbook partners passed the moment the league got into bed with them. Today, those relationships are absolutely things the NBA has to consider in its decision-making.

Gamblers and gambling operators shouldn’t be the only priority when it comes to fixing the tanking issue, but in 2026, they have to be among them. Right there with non-gambling fans, TV partners and even the teams doing the tanking that don’t always get rewarded in the lottery.

So how do you fix the problem? Silver seemed open to the idea of a radical change, saying ‘what we’re doing, what we’re seeing right now is not working.’ One solution thrown around a lot over the last week that I 100 percent support is to get rid of the draft. Whatever the solution, the NBA needs to find it for all parties involved.

The real NBA title contenders

Now, to the basketball. As the NBA season enters the stretch run before the playoffs, our guy Robert Zeglinski indentified every team that has a realistic shot at winning the championship. That list came down to nine actual contenders, and it’s surprisingly balanced between the East and West.

Brining in the bottom of that list? The Houston Rockets:

‘The Houston Rockets entered this season with reasonable aspirations of winning their third title in franchise history. For good reason. … But it’s evident the Rockets have desperately missed the presence of starting and steadying point guard Fred VanVleet, who is out for the year with a torn ACL. And recent chemistry issues have bubbled to the surface amid a troubling 7-5 stretch before the All-Star break.’

I loved Houston coming into the season, but I can’t lie, those Kevin Durant burner rumors don’t make me feel good about them right now.

Quick hits: Bears stadium plans … near-hockey scandal … and more

There’s been a new development in the Bears’ apparent interest in moving to Indiana. Here’s Wajih AlBaroudi with everything we know about the team’s stadium plans.
Good thing Canada pulled out the win in Wednesday’s men’s Olympic hockey quarters, because refs missing a blatant penalty during Czechia’s go-ahead goal in the third would’ve been a big scandal.
Bill Self seems to be done defending Darryn Peterson after the talented but inconsistent fresman apparently pulled himself from Kansas’ win over Oklahoma State.
Is Jacob Elordi set to become the next James Bond? Cory Woodroof has the details about that rumor.

This was For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here.

Amber Glenn left everything out there on the ice Thursday in the women’s free skate at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

In the Kiss-and-Cry section inside the arena while awaiting her scores, NBC’s broadcast caught Glenn saying, ‘I’m at the Olympics. I didn’t fall. I didn’t fall at the Olympics.’

Glenn’s performance and response had her receiving extra flowers and applause from those on social media who were watching.

Social media reactions to Amber Glenn’s bounce-back free skate program at Winter Olympics

Here’s a snippet of reactions on social media to Glenn’s program on Thursday at the Winter Olympics:

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MILAN, Italy — Jordan Stolz isn’t anywhere close to being done.

Stolz said Thursday, Feb. 19, that he can see himself skating through the 2034 Olympics in Utah. He would only be 28 then, eight years younger than Kjeld Nuis, the Dutch superstar that he shared the podium with in the 1,500 meters.

Stolz won the silver medal, finishing 0.77 seconds behind China’s Ning Zhongyan. Nuis took the bronze.

‘I think I can go that long,’ Stolz said. ‘It’s eight more years. I think I can make some improvements. I’m still strong now and I think I can hold it.’

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Imagine the medal haul he’ll have by then.

Stolz has been on the podium in all three of his races at the Milano Cortina Olympics, his second Winter Games. He set Olympic records on the way to winning gold in the 500 and 1,000 meters. Stolz has one race left, the mass start on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Stolz’s father, Dirk, told USA TODAY Sports last fall that they had already talked about competing through 2034 because it’s a home Olympics. They would be the first Winter Games hosted by the United States since Salt Lake City in 2002.

‘If you’re going to retire, do it in 2034, at a home Games,’ Dirk Stolz said.

Plus, Stolz has always done well on the Olympic Oval in Utah. It’s where he set the world record in the 1,000 meters in January 2024. He nearly bettered it at the World Cup there in November.

Darryn Peterson’s availability has once again become a storyline this college basketball season, even as the potential No. 1 pick of the 2026 NBA Draft helped the Jayhawks to an 81-69 win over Oklahoma State.

Peterson exited No. 12 Kansas’ Big 12 win over the Cowboys shortly after hitting a 3-pointer with 18 minutes left in the second half. He didn’t return to the game, finishing with 23 points, two rebounds, one block and one steal in 18 minutes of play.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Kansas coach Bill Self said the reason Peterson left was due to cramping. He also said he didn’t ‘anticipate’ the issue flaring up again, adding that it was a disappointing situation considering Peterson could have had an even bigger game than he did.

Peterson has missed several games this season due to a hamstring issue and what was described as flu-like symptoms vs. top-ranked Arizona.

‘Well we’ve had it more than a couple times,’ Self told reporters. ‘And I didn’t anticipate that tonight at all. I thought that he was good to go. But obviously we only got 18 minutes out of him. And that’s really disappointing, because he could have had a really big night.

‘But one thing about it is it’s happened often enough that our guys have learned to play without him, even though that’s not the way want to play. But that’s certainly not something that we’re unaccustomed to right now.’

Self also said that it’s ‘concerning,’ and that Kansas would prefer him to be fully available for the 2026 NCAA Tournament:

‘It’s a concern. I thought we were past it, but obviously we’re not. It’s certainly a concern,’ Self said. ‘You get into the NCAA Tournament, you’re playing a team just as good as you and you need to have all your best players available, so to speak. Yeah, all it takes is for one day like that to derail not only a game, but a season.’

Self wasn’t the only person to comment on Peterson’s lack of playing time in the second half. TNT college basketball studio analysts Jalen Rose, Bruce Pearl and Jamal Mashburn spoke at length about the ongoing saga with Peterson, with Mashburn rhetorically asking, ‘why even be a part of it?’

‘I think the interesting part of this with the NIL era and the transfer portal, this has become much more transactional than we’ve really thought about,’ Mashburn said. ‘From the standpoint that, we can’t separate the conversation of them winning a championship and him going to the NBA.

‘Because it’s a transition year for him at the end of the day. If he can go straight from high school straight to the pros, he probably would have done it. That’s how I see it. They really need him to win a championship, but if he’s going to get into the NCAA Tournament, and you’re gonna load manage that part of it, why even be a part of it?’

Added former Auburn and Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl:

‘It’s a business, and I think the kids in the locker room understand he’s got the chance to be No. 1. They want him to be healthy. I think times have changed a little bit. Years ago, there might have been guys in the locker room that would have really taken him to task a little bit: ‘Hey, we need you to win this championship.’ But they all recognize it might just be bigger than that.

‘So, disappointed, and this is not the last that we’re going to hear of this story.’

MILAN — Jordan Stolz’s quest for four gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics has ended.

A favorite in the men’s 1,500 meters, the American speed skater took home silver in the race Thursday, Feb. 19 at the Milano Cortina Games, finishing behind China’s Zhongyan Ning, who broke the Olympic record en route to gold. Kjeld Nuis of the Netherlands got bronze.

Stolz knew it was going to be a fight at the first split, when he was slower than he expected.

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‘I didn’t quite feel it in the legs,’ Stolz said.

He was down 1.35 seconds going into the last lap. Though he was able to close the gap somewhat, he couldn’t catch Ning, who clocked a blazing 1:41.98 in the race of his life. Stolz finished in 1:42.75, 0.77 seconds back.

‘I didn’t have my best race,’ Stolz said. ‘There’s nothing I could do about it. Ning had his best race and I’m happy he was able to get it. He tries really hard and he’s always trying to be on the podium and now he was able to win, so that’s super cool for him.’

Stolz seemed to be both gassed and shellshocked as he did his cooldown, and appeared to be fighting his emotions during the medals ceremony. But he was smiling when the medalists posed for photos, and was able to take a pragmatic view of the result afterward.

‘It was still a good race, I’m still happy with silver and I still have two golds,’ Stolz said.

Stolz, a 21-year-old from Wisconsin, has an impressive medal haul of two golds and a silver at these Games with one race left to go: The mass start Saturday, Feb. 21. It’s been a superb showing for him compete at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, setting Olympic records while winning in the 500 meters and 1,000 meters.

Stolz was trying to become the first man since Eric Heiden to win four gold medals at a single Games. Heiden famously won five at the Lake Placid Olympics, sweeping every race.

‘Nobody’s been able to do what Heiden’s done and it probably will never happen again,’ Stolz said. ‘I mean, five gold medals is insane.’

Asked if he had a better appreciation for what Heiden did, Stolz said, ‘I already appreciated it before I ever had anything.’

In the 1,500 meters, Stolz skated in the final pair of the lineup, alongside Norway’s Peder Kongshaug, the reigning world champion. Stolz entered the event as the heavy favorite, having won the race in each of his five World Cup appearances during the 2025-26 season.

He also won gold in the 1,500 at the world championships in 2023 and 2024. He took silver in 2025 despite still feeling the effects of pneumonia a few weeks earlier.

This week Stolz said, “I think if I have a good 1,500 — it should turn out well — I’m hoping for gold in that.’

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