Breezy Johnson secured America's first medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics, claiming gold in the women's downhill race in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on February 8, 2026, four years after a training crash dashed her hopes for the 2022 Games. The victory was a career first for the 30-year-old Idaho native, according to NPR News.
The competition also saw the return of veteran skier Lindsey Vonn, 41, who came out of retirement to chase a second Olympic gold, as reported by Sky News. Despite rupturing her ACL just nine days before the event, Vonn was determined to compete, stating, "As long as there's a chance, I will try." Sky News noted that Vonn's participation was highly anticipated.
Meanwhile, the sport of curling is drawing in new converts at the 2026 Winter Olympics, according to Wired. The publication highlighted the attention on the host country Italy's team, featuring reigning Olympic and world curling champions Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner. Wired also noted the advancements in curling gear, which includes "cool gadgets" used by curlers.
Outside of the sporting events, concerns are growing about Russia's financial stability. According to a report in Fortune, Russian officials are warning President Vladimir Putin that a financial crisis could arrive by the summer. The report cited shrinking oil revenue, which crashed by 50% in January, and a widening budget deficit. A Moscow business executive told the Washington Post that the crisis could arrive in three or four months amid spiraling inflation, leading to restaurant closures and layoffs.
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