Why the 2026 Olympics Feel Especially Political

Playing rules-based games at the end of the rules-based order. 

With the heated rivalry between the US and Canada, athletes speaking out against ICE, and the rupture of old world order in the background, the Olympics are especially political this time around.

Where do politics fit into the winter games and how did hockey become a symbol of geopolitical conflict? 

Rahim Mohamed of the National Post gets “Canada Down” with Noor Azrieh.  

Host: Noor Azrieh

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Masteringr), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Rahim Mohamed

Further reading: 

• Trump’s geopolitical tensions spill into the Winter Olympics - Politico
• ‘Boots on the Ice’: Hockey and politics are about to collide at the Milan Olympics - The Globe and Mail
• U.S. Olympians speaking up about politics at home face online backlash — including from Trump | CBC Sports
• Welcome to new cold war as world descends on Italy amid global political chaos | Winter Olympics 2026 | The Guardian
• Amid rising political tensions, will there be controversy at the Olympics? - National | Globalnews.ca
• Olympic fans are loving the petty commercial battle between Team Canada and Team USA: 'They are so focused on us' - Yahoo News Canada
• Tate McRae responds to backlash over U.S. Olympics ad: 'Y'all know I'm Canada down' | CBC News  
• Paul Brandt removed from Alberta teachers’ convention speaking list - CTV News 
• Public Servant Surprised by Voicemail from Doug Ford Suggesting They ‘Get Another Job’ - PressProgress 

Sponsors: 

Douglas: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today. The Free bundle now ALSO includes a down-alternative duvet and cover! Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer

BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.

Squarespace: Check out Squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch use code canadaland to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch at our store, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.