US Skier Breaks 50-Year Drought; Tragedy in Mediterranean

American skier Ben Ogden secured a silver medal in the men's cross-country skiing sprint classic at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Tesero, Italy, breaking a 50-year medal drought for U.S. men in the sport, according to NPR News. The event, held on February 10, 2026, saw Ogden, 25, finish behind Johannes Klaebo of Norway.

The victory marked a significant achievement for the United States, as no American male skier had reached the Olympic podium since 1976, as reported by NPR News. The Games, held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, have already seen Team USA secure two gold medals, including one in women's downhill by Breezy Johnson, according to CBS News. The medal count is being closely watched as other nations, such as Switzerland and Sweden, also compete for the top spot.

The Olympics have also been marked by other events, including a surprising interaction between a Dutch speedskating champion and a U.S. influencer at a bar, which has garnered international attention, according to NPR News. This follows the recent legalization of backflips in Olympic figure skating, adding to the excitement surrounding the games and the athletes' public lives.

Meanwhile, the slalom portion of the Olympic alpine team combined event on February 10 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, was anticipated to be a strong showing for Mikaela Shiffrin, according to Time. Despite her impressive track record, Shiffrin did not win a medal at the previous Olympics in Beijing, despite competing in six races.