The Olympics have stood as one of the most celebrated sporting events around the world, bringing together the best athletes from opposite sides of the globe to compete in one place.
This year, the Winter Olympics will take place in Italy from Feb. 6 to 22.
The Winter Games were first held in 1924 in Chamonix, France, to showcase sports that could not be included in the Summer Games. Over the years, the event has grown in popularity, scale and cultural significance. It has evolved alongside advancements in sports, technology and global media.
By the time the 2026 Games begin, it will once again reflect not only its deep‑rooted traditions but also its openness to change.
The Olympics have always balanced history with progress and nowhere is that more evident than in the contrast between women’s figure skating and men’s snowboarding — these two sports highlight the diversity of the modern Winter Games — one grounded in decades of tradition, the other born from innovation and youth culture.
Women’s figure skating has been part of the Winter Games since the early 20th century, and it remains one of the most iconic events. Known for its combination of athletic skill and artistic expression, the sport has continually evolved.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics, the women’s singles competitors will include familiar faces like Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, a multiple world champion applauded for her technical precision and artistry on the ice.
For American favorites, fans will see Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito, each bringing their own strengths and Olympic medal potential to the competition.
In 2022, Liu announced her retirement from figure skating when she was just 16 years old. She wanted to experience a more “normal life” and spend time with her friends, but in March 2024, she announced she was coming back — on her own terms.
She wanted more control over her routines and training schedule, and once she was promised those conditions, she began her comeback, ultimately earning a victory at the 2025 World Championships and securing her place in the 2026 Olympic Games.
Amber Glenn, however, stands out the most. She has secured her spot as a 26‑year‑old competing in a sport where most athletes peak anywhere from 15 to 18 years old.
She is the perfect illustration that with hard work, age does not matter.
“I hope I can make myself and my country proud,” Glenn said.
Modern women’s figure skating demands extraordinary versatility. Athletes must execute complex jump combinations such as triple‑triples and quadruple jumps while seamlessly adding spins, footwork and choreography.
The sport also includes experienced and rising talents from a wide range of countries, guaranteeing that the women’s event will be fiercely competitive and captivating.
The judging system rewards not only technical difficulty and execution but also skating skills, composition and performance quality, encouraging a well‑rounded approach to competition.
In recent Olympic Games, the sport has seen rapid technical progression, often driven by younger competitors. However, the 2026 Games are expected to emphasize balance, highlighting skaters who combine athletic power with maturity, consistency and artistic identity.
Beyond competition, women’s figure skating remains a platform for self‑expression, with costumes, music and choreography reflecting a wide range of cultures and personal stories.
In contrast, men’s snowboarding is defined by constant progression.
Snowboarders perform enormous aerial tricks involving multiple spins and flips to combine technical difficulty with creativity and style.
Among the athletes expected to compete this year are Red Gerard, the American Olympic gold medalist in slopestyle from 2018 and a perennial contender in big air and slopestyle, along with other top snowboarders who have secured their Olympic spots through World Snowboard Points rankings.
What sets snowboarding apart is its emphasis on individuality; athletes are encouraged to innovate, bringing personal flair to each run.
Judges reward originality, execution, flow and amplitude, making every performance unique.
The culture surrounding men’s snowboarding reflects a shift in Olympic values. While competition is intense, there is a strong sense of camaraderie among athletes, who often celebrate each other’s success.
This spirit, along with the sport’s high energy, resonates strongly with younger fans and highlights the Olympics’ ability to adapt to changing audiences.
Together, women’s figure skating and men’s snowboarding capture the essence of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Figure skating unfolds in a quiet arena where every moment is scrutinized, while snowboarding takes place on open slopes filled with noise, motion and spectacle — yet both require immense dedication, resilience and courage.
As the world gathers to celebrate the 2026 Winter Games, these sports will remind audiences why the Olympics continue: They showcase not only athletic excellence but also the power of tradition.