In an era where even the most commonplace events can be disrupted by controversy, it can be hard to find things to remind us of the hope, respect and pride that should always bind Americans together.
But as Central Floridians watch the events unfolding nearly 5,000 away in Italy, they should find it easier to lay that animosity aside, if only for the few fleeting minutes of a daring, technically perfect downhill run; the artistry and athleticism of figure skaters at the top of their sport; the brawling bravado of the men’s and women’s hockey teams — the first, considered a long shot, and the second, as of Monday, favored to at least medal. The Olympics are back, and more than ever, this nation needs them.
From left, Amber Glenn and ice dance team Madison Chock and Evan Bates celebrate winning the gold medal after the figure skating team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
More than 200 young athletes — the largest U.S. team ever — have traveled to the cities of Milan and Cortina to stake a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice on the chance of a gleaming medal around their neck and the sound of the Star-Spangled Banner ringing out. They will pour everything they have into these contests, with the hopes and prayers of their country behind them. After Tuesday’s action, the U.S. had already secured seven medals including two gold, one for the U.S. figure skating team in the team event, the other for Breezy Johnson in the Alpine skiing women’s downhill. Johnson was also a member of the team that collected the bronze for combined alpine skiing, and silver medals went to Ben Ogden (cross-country skiing), Alex Hall (freestyle skiing) and the mixed doubles curling team.
United States’ Breezy Johnson shows her gold medal in the alpine ski women’s downhill race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
And while Floridians aren’t nearly as well-represented as they usually are for summer games, there are five Sunshine State hopefuls, including bobsledder Josh Williamson of Sanford, figure skater Andrew Torgashev of Coral Springs and speed skaters Mia Manganello of Crestview, plus Brittany Bowe and Erin Jackson of Ocala.
Bowe and Jackson have already made Floridians proud: Bowe has two bronze medals and Jackson won Beijing gold in 2022. Sadly, they both fell short of the medal stand this weekend in the 1,000-meter race, but Jackson is expected to compete in the 500-meter next week. Torgashev, who was not part of the gold-medal team event, is skating the individual events.
Over the next few weeks, there will be stories of heartbreak and triumph, the shock of unexpected losses and the thrill of come-from-behind victories. There will be debates over whether the games have drifted too far from the original Olympian model and whether some, less-popular sports should be discarded in favor of more crowd-pleasing competitions. There will be competitions that go exactly as projected, but dedicated Olympics fans are also hoping for an upset or two.
Most of all, there will be a chance to come together. These young hopefuls don’t need the burden of a nation’s anger and anxiety. Instead, they deserve respect and support for the journey that carried them to that group of elite athletes, marching behind the U.S. flag into Milan’s Olympic stadium —- inspiring a whole new generation to dream of glory in years to come. And when they return home, they deserve (as do we all) a renewed commitment to improve and heal this fractured nation so that all Americans can, once again, be proud of Team U.S.A.
The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Executive Editor Roger Simmons and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Use insight@orlandosentinel.com to contact us.