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Olympic Drama, Airport Uncertainty, and Weekly Rituals Dominate Headlines
MILAN, ITALY - February 12, 2026 - The world of sports and travel faced a flurry of activity this week, with Olympic records being challenged, airport closures causing confusion, and weekly cultural events continuing as scheduled. U.S. speedskater Jordan Stolz, a seven-time world champion, set a new Olympic record in the 1000-meter competition in Milan, according to Time. Meanwhile, the El Paso International Airport experienced a mysterious closure and reopening, and Mexico City residents enjoyed their weekly ritual of car-free streets.
Stolz, at the age of 21, was competing against Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands. The crowd, heavily favoring the Dutch skater, created a tense atmosphere. Stolz admitted he was nervous at the 600-meter mark, according to Time. The outcome of the race and Stolz's attempt to sweep all four events was uncertain.
Adding to the week's complexities, the El Paso International Airport in Texas experienced a period of closure, causing overnight panic, according to Vox. The exact reasons for the closure and subsequent reopening remained unclear.
In Mexico City, the weekly tradition of shutting down the Paseo de la Reforma continued. Each Sunday, the most important street in the country transforms into a car-free zone, allowing over 100,000 people to enjoy the space on bikes, skates, and rollerblades, according to NPR. The event showcases the city's diversity, with clowns, lowrider bikes, families, and runners participating.
The 2026 Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina also faced some unexpected drama. According to Vox, the games were marked by "credit card theft, penis injections, and other weird scandals." One athlete, Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate of Spain, briefly united spectators when he was initially prohibited from skating to Minions music.
The potential for a government shutdown also loomed, with lawmakers warning of potential consequences for air travel. A funding deadline could shutter the Department of Homeland Security, potentially impacting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Acting TSA administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill stated that a lack of funding would "pose significant challenges to our ability to deliver transportation security with the level of excellence we expect and Americans deserve," according to Time.
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