The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, brought together some of the best athletes in the world. As the Games continued through February 22, viewers watched incredible performances, emotional victories, and the dedication it takes to compete on the world stage. But beyond the medals, the Olympics still matter because of the way they inspire athletes everywhere, including student-athletes.
For many young athletes, the Olympics show what years of hard work can lead to. Watching competitors perform at such a high level reminds viewers that success in sports comes from dedication and perseverance. This year, the United States finished second in the overall medal count with 12 gold medals. The U.S. figure skating team won gold in the team event, and Alysa Liu won the individual women’s event after making a comeback to the sport.
Stories like Liu’s show how resilience and determination can lead to success. The Olympics also give countries the chance to show national pride while representing their cultures on a global stage.
For Ms. Bernards, the Olympics are especially meaningful because of her connection to a former host city. She lived in Salt Lake City, which hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics, and the influence of the Games is still present there today. “They actually still maintain all their venues, so they have Olympic-level competitions for speed skating pretty much every year,” Bernards said.
Her connection to Olympic sports continued through her family. “My husband was actually able to go to the 2022 Olympics in Beijing—not as an athlete, but he went with U.S. speed skating,” she said.
While she enjoys watching many Olympic events, speed skating is her favorite. “I also really like Erin Jackson, who is from Florida,” Bernards said. “I think she’s a nice person, and I love to root for athletes who are good people.”
She believes students should pay attention to the Olympics because it shows just how talented these athletes are. “It’s so fun to watch people who are at an athletic peak do incredible things,” Bernards said. “Sometimes I sit on my couch and go, ‘Oh no, they missed that jump by just a little bit,’ and then I think, ‘I can’t do that.’ Watching anything in the Olympics is a level of athleticism that I cannot achieve, and it’s so fun to watch people be so good.”
She said Olympians inspire her to work hard in her own life as well. “All of them inspire me to try and be the best at whatever I’m working on, because they’re trying to be the best at whatever their sport is,” she said.
Bernards even had the chance to meet an Olympian herself. “I actually got to meet Derek Parra, who is an Olympic athlete from the 2002 Salt Lake City games,” she said. “He was so kind and so generous. It’s nice to know that these Olympians are doing these incredible physical things, but they’re also good people.”
Students at school also feel inspired when they watch Olympic athletes compete. “My favorite athlete is the Czech speed skater Metoděj Jílek because he’s so young and the fact that he can do this and make the Olympics at a young age is so empowering,” junior Eva Kemmerer said.
Other students admire athletes with powerful personal stories. “I really like Alysa Liu, but also Elana Meyers Taylor, the American bobsledder,” said senior Vicky Infante. “One of her sons is deaf and the other has Down syndrome. Her story is very cute, and the fact that she was able to win gold while being a mom is very inspiring.”
Junior Lauren Shortal said snowboarder Chloe Kim is one of her favorite Olympic athletes. “She won two gold medals, and she was trying to get her third in a row,” Shortal said. “She was super young, she was 17 when she won gold at her first Olympics.”
Whether it is the speed of a skater, the skill of a snowboarder, or the artistry of a figure skater, the Olympics continue to capture the attention of viewers around the world. For student-athletes, these moments are not just entertainment, but reminders of what hard work and dedication can achieve.
