It’s Time for the Olympics

The Winter Olympics are officially underway in Italy. It’s a moment that brings people across the globe together and a much-needed reprieve from the many forces currently pulling the world apart … or is it?

There is no escaping politics, even at the Olympics. Russia remains officially banned from the Games (though possibly not from the next ones). The U.S. Olympic team renamed a pop-up hospitality station that was originally called Ice House. Maybe you can guess why.

But there are also the many amazing stories of human excellence and endurance to look forward to. I spoke to my colleague Tariq Panja, who is at the Games and told us what to keep an eye out for.

ICE agents and Brazilian skiers: Welcome to the Winter Olympics!

So, Tariq, today is the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. Security is always intense at the Games. But this time there is also ICE, one of the American immigration enforcement agencies that has shot and killed two people in Minneapolis. How do people feel about that?

Let me just clarify one thing: ICE is not here to enforce U.S. immigration laws! It’s also not empowered to do any patrolling or enforcement. It’s here to help with security for the U.S. delegation, but more in an advisory capacity.

But the fact that ICE agents are at the Olympics at all has stoked a lot of anger here in Italy. Politicians have weighed in. There have been protests. The term ICE has become so controversial that a U.S. hospitality house for ice sports was renamed. It was going to be called Ice House. It’s now going to be called Winter House.

These Olympics are happening against the backdrop of a lot of conflict in the world. How does that play out on the ground?

One of the questions here is about how U.S. athletes will be received, given the current tensions between the United States and Europe. Could they be jeered at today’s ceremony? That’s something we’re looking out for.

Another thing is cybersecurity. On Wednesday, the Italians said they had thwarted a major cyberattack targeting the ticketing system, the website and some hotels in one of the mountain regions hosting the Games.

We’ve seen this before. There was a major cyberattack on the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, which British and American authorities traced back to the Kremlin. Russia was banned from participating then because of a doping scandal, and it’s still banned now because of its invasion of Ukraine. So Russia is seen as a threat when it comes to targeting the Olympics, because if you’re not invited to the party, you might want to spoil it.

The new president of the International Olympic Committee said in a speech recently that “we understand politics, and we know we don’t operate in a vacuum. But our game is sport.” How do you read that?

Look, this is the first Olympics under the new president, Kirsty Coventry, a former Olympic swimmer from Zimbabwe. Her predecessor had a very tough time. He had to deal with Russia’s behavior, the Covid pandemic and the reactions to the war in Gaza.

She didn’t directly name any countries in her speech, but it was clear that the I.O.C. doesn’t want to wade into politics at all right now. There are a lot of conflicts in the world and Russia is the only country banned on those grounds. So there is a growing sense among senior sports officials here that Russia’s ban might not be in place the next time we gather for the Olympics, whatever the situation is in Ukraine.

I say this now; a lot can happen in two years. But it seems to me, talking to these officials and listening to Coventry speak, that the I.O.C. wants to be seen as a neutral arbiter in the world and wants to focus on sport.

Let’s talk about the sports. Are there any athletes from the global south we should be paying special attention to in these often very northern Winter Games?

I’m very much looking forward to seeing Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who is skiing for Brazil. Skiing and Brazil are not two words you hear together often.

The thing to know is that he is half Norwegian. He was born in Norway and actually used to race for Norway, but in 2024, he chose to represent Brazil instead. His vibe is more Brazilian, I’m told, and he also has a genuine chance of making history for Brazil. If he does well enough, it would be South America’s first Winter Olympics medal.

He’s already a superstar in Brazil, and the number of people watching the Winter Olympics in Brazil will probably grow exponentially as a result of this guy. (Here are some of the other international stars to watch.)

What else should we be looking out for?

Personally, for me, as a man in his 40s with arthritic knees, the idea of Lindsey Vonn in her 40s with at least a partial knee replacement trying to compete in the Olympics is an inspiration.

There are doubts over whether she can stay in the competition because she suffered a major injury in her other knee last week. But just the idea that she still wants to take her place at the top of the hill is remarkable in itself — and tells you what these athletes are made of.

More on the Olympics:

Here’s a guide on what to watch and how to watch.
Today’s events include figure skating, ice hockey and curling. Follow our live updates.

MORE TOP NEWS

An apology after the release of the Epstein files

Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain faced a wave of anger yesterday after revelations about the friendship between his former ambassador to the U.S., Peter Mandelson, and the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The prime minister accused Mandelson of “deceit” and apologized to Epstein’s victims, saying he was “sorry for having believed this man’s lies and appointed him.”

The newly released files offer fresh evidence of how royal family members and their advisers stayed close to Epstein, even after his conviction.
A cashmere sweater for Noam Chomsky. Luxury underwear for Woody Allen. Here’s how Epstein used gifts to ingratiate himself.

OTHER NEWS

Peace talks among Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. officials wrapped up after just three hours, hinting at an impasse.

President Xi Jinping of China pressed Trump on Taiwan in a lengthy phone call.
Iran and the U.S. will meet for a new round of negotiations today in Oman. The Iranian authorities are making mass arrests as part of a campaign of retribution for anti-government protests.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a plan of incentives and tax breaks aimed at making Canada a global leader in electric vehicles.
A royal crown dropped by thieves during the Louvre heist was badly damaged. These photos show how it looks now.

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING

Versace named its first chief creative officer born outside of Italy in its 48-year history.
Silver is so pricey that the world’s largest jeweler is switching to platinum.
Top of The World: The most clicked link in your newsletter yesterday was on China’s clean energy boom.

DEEP-SEA CREATURE OF THE DAY

The giant phantom jelly

— This elusive creature has been documented only about 100 times in the last century. Researchers recently spotted one some 250 meters deep in the Atlantic Ocean off Argentina.

MORNING READ

There may be no sign of early childhood development more joyful than a baby’s first laugh. That moment is just as important as the first steps or words, the developmental psychologist Gina Mireault explained in a guest essay in Opinion.

Research has found that laughter is fundamental to how babies learn about the world and that they actually start creating humor — making jokes, basically — when they are around 6 months old. Watch and learn as Mireault shows the brilliance of the baby giggle.

AROUND THE WORLD

Living like Thoreau in the U.S.

In Henry David Thoreau’s masterpiece, “Walden,” he writes about stepping away from society and living alone in the woods, where he built a simple cabin. His 19th-century experiment still resonates with some in the U.S.

Around the country, admirers have paid homage to Thoreau by building full-scale replicas of his cabin. But few appear to have matched his commitment: Thoreau lived in his cabin for two years, two months and two days. The modern replicas are more likely to serve as writers’ retreats, cigar rooms or Airbnb rentals. Read more.

RECIPE

This watermelon-rose trifle is inspired by one of Sydney’s most exquisite cakes — layers of almond dacquoise, ripe watermelon and rose-flavored cream, covered in strawberries. Treating it like a trifle means you can be a little messy, and that’s OK: The cake still comes together beautifully.

WHERE IS THIS?

Where is this beach?

BEFORE YOU GO …

January and February are the worst months, at least where I live. Gray skies. Short days. And rain, so much rain. (I love Wales. I really don’t love the rain.)

But I have the perfect antidote to very wet weather: swimming in very cold water.

It started one dreary November morning 12 years ago in London. Everyone looked miserable. Then I spotted this group of ridiculously happy people outside the local open-air swimming pool. Why are you so happy? I asked. They told me they swim every day of the year. No wet suits.

I wrote about them. Later, I joined them. In Berlin I swam in the lake. In Cardiff it’s the ocean.

So what’s the secret? Here’s my explanation: When you go into the water, your body thinks it’s going to die. When you come out again, your body is SO HAPPY that it hasn’t died. The endorphins are off the charts.

If you crave something more scientific, check out this blog, the bible of cold-water swimming. It has a great reading list that will address most questions.

One thing I always get asked is: How do you get warm again? I recommend a hot water bottle and a thermos of hot tea. And dancing! I was chuffed that Olivia Dean (from South London, my old stomping ground!) won best new artist at the Grammys last Sunday. Turns out she is also an ace D.J. Check out this set of hers on NTS. Soul, R&B, lovers rock. You’ll warm up in no time.

Have a great weekend. — Katrin