Five Takeaways From the 2026 Winter Olympics: Historic Golds, Patriotism Debates, and Vonn's Final Act

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina captured the nation's attention with several improbable comeback stories, a record-shattering American gold medal haul, and partisan debate over athletes who expressed discomfort representing the United States under President Trump. From the men's hockey team ending a 46-year gold drought to Lindsey Vonn's dramatic crash and six-hour surgery at 41, the Games delivered moments that transcended sport and revealed deep cultural fault lines about patriotism, identity, and what it means to wear the red, white, and blue.