
The Daily Boos, Rivalries and Records: Inside the 2026 Olympics
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Feb 15, 2026 Juliet Macur, NYT sports reporter who profiles athletes. Shawna Richer, NYT hockey editor with deep Canada–U.S. rivalry knowledge. Motoko Rich, NYT Rome bureau chief and foreign correspondent on geopolitics. They discuss crowd boos and diplomatic backdrops, when politics shows up in competition, the heated Canada–U.S. hockey rivalry, and standout athlete stories and comebacks.
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Politics Looms Over The Games
- Geopolitics hovered over these Olympics and shaped public reactions to delegations and officials.
- Motoko Rich explains crowds booed U.S. leadership images but cheered American athletes separately.
Athletes Speak Carefully On Values
- American athletes publicly voiced values rather than partisan attacks to navigate IOC rules and local sentiments.
- Rachel Abrams and Motoko Rich cite examples like Chloe Kim and Amber Glenn using platforms to discuss inclusion.
Ice Rink As Political Proxy
- Hockey is the clearest venue where geopolitical tensions can surface during competition.
- Motoko Rich and Shauna Richer predict the rink will reflect broader U.S.-Canada political frictions.



