CANADALAND The Most Political Olympics Ever?
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Feb 11, 2026 Rahim Mohamed, National Post columnist and politics/media commentator, joins to unpack why these Winter Games feel so charged. They trace how geopolitics and media shape national narratives. Hockey is explored as a lightning rod for Canada–U.S. tensions. The conversation also examines host-country politics, ad wars and backlash against outspoken athletes.
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Olympics Mirror Global Political Shifts
- The Olympics mix sport with geopolitics and reflect broader global tensions, not just athletic rivalry.
- Rahim Mohamed argues rules-based competition sits oddly amid the erosion of the rules-based international order.
Host Politics Often Overlooked
- Host country's domestic politics (e.g., Italy's rightward shift) often go under-discussed amid major rivalries.
- Rahim Mohamed argues focus on U.S.-Canada tensions lets Italy's LGBT and immigration record skate by.
Athletes As Political Voices
- Athletes are publicly protesting domestic policies while competing, challenging the Olympic ideal of political neutrality.
- Noor Azrieh highlights American athletes speaking about ICE and facing backlash, including from Donald Trump.