Up First from NPR U.S. Men's hockey overtime win and the Olympic sport that produces the best athletes
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Feb 19, 2026 
Juliana Kim, NPR reporter who examined why Winter Games medals were breaking and the Organizing Committee response. Becky Sullivan, NPR sports reporter who recaps Team USA’s sudden-death overtime win and tense hockey matchups. Jonathan Lambert, NPR reporter on sports science who explains VO2 max and why cross-country skiing produces elite aerobic athletes. Short, punchy takes on medals, hockey drama, and athletic physiology.
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Heiden Sees Himself In Jordan Stolz
- Eric Heiden compared Jordan Stolz to a younger version of himself, praising Stolz's technical turns, power, and closing speed.
- Heiden noted shared backgrounds and predicted Stolz could remain competitive for many Olympic cycles.
Schifrin's Emotional Gold Moment
- Michaela Schifrin reflected emotionally after winning gold and processing life without her late father during the victory.
- She described the moment as both a longtime dream and a painful step toward accepting reality after loss.
Overtime Thriller Sends U.S. On
- Becky Sullivan recounts the U.S. men's hockey overtime win against Sweden and the tense five-minute stretch around the tying goal and overtime winner.
- Quinn Hughes' overtime goal capped a dramatic three-on-three sudden-death period that sent the U.S. to the semifinals.