The Varsity Olympics Politics & LA28’s Epstein Problem
Feb 18, 2026
Christine Brennan, veteran sports columnist and Olympic reporter, brings decades of on-the-ground perspective. She dissects the charged political atmosphere in Milan and why athletes are speaking out. She covers the opening ceremony boos, social media’s role, and the controversy surrounding Casey Wasserman and LA28.
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Politics Reaches Olympic Hospitality
- Politics is seeping into the Olympics early, affecting branding and security decisions like renaming the U.S. hospitality space from "Ice House" to "Winter House."
- Christine Brennan says athlete safety and protest risks drove that change before the Games even began.
Athletes Speak More Politically
- Athletes are using their Olympic moments to speak on politics and social issues more than in past eras because social media gives them a platform.
- Brennan links the prominence of political expression to current U.S. volatility and the global spotlight on athletes.
Amber Glenn Uses Her Platform
- Amber Glenn used her figure skating press conference to speak openly about LGBTQ issues and received both praise and criticism.
- Brennan contrasts today's athletes with past champions who lacked social media and public platforms.