2026 Winter Olympics, Team Rainbow—What To Watch, Feb 6-Feb 9: At The Starting Line
The Olympics are about to begin! Recover from a wild (or not wild) Super Bowl
This is another story in our continued coverage of the upcoming Olympics. You can read the introduction to this series here; the first part of the preview is here, and the second part is here. The first part of the preview and the intro are provided without charge, but the rest of the pieces, including this one, will be behind the Wide Left paywall, with proceeds going to Minnesota Direct Relief.
As a note, some of these events have already transpired—that’s not Ethan’s fault, it is mine. We’ll be working to make sure these come out in a more timely manner
The Opening Ceremonies are finally upon us, and the 25th Winter Olympics are set to begin this weekend! On a twice-weekly basis, we’ll be recapping the weekend’s action while also telling you what to watch in order to keep up to date on the latest with our Team Rainbow cohort. As always, check out my Bluesky account if you want to talk about the Olympics more informally.
If you want to watch any Olympic action, I will try to note which channel each event will be on when I can, but you cannot go wrong with the NBCUniversal family of networks and Peacock. Now is the time to get a Peacock free trial if you’ve been reticent in the past. Gold Zone (the Olympics’ version of Red Zone) is a game-changer, and you can cancel after the games are over.
Additionally, throughout the Olympics, I will be keeping my own updated medal count and list of Team Rainbow athletes, which you can find here. My medal count will be updated daily, generally during the morning Pacific Standard Time. Feel free to take a look at this list to refresh yourself on Team Rainbow’s athletes and see how it’s performing against its peers. My hope for every Olympics is that Team Rainbow can out-medal any counterparts that have objectively anti-LGBT public policy; we’ll see if 2026 adds to this tradition.
I’d also like to thank Sports Illustrated writer and NFL editor Mitch Goldich for including me in his Olympics Starter Pack! I recommend following it to engage with other Olympics reporters and content creators who will be analyzing the games.
February 6
3:55 AM EST/12:55 AM PST - Paul Poirier CAN, Lewis Gibson GBR - Ice Dancing Short Program Team Event
4:05 AM EST/1:05 AM PST and 8:35 AM EST/5:35 AM PST - Bruce Mouat GBR - Mixed Doubles Curling vs. Sweden and South Korea
5:35 AM EST/2:35 AM PST - Fillipo Ambrosini ITA, Filip Taschler CZE - Pairs Short Program Team Event
6:10 AM EST/3:10 AM PST - France vs. Japan - Women’s Hockey Pool Play
8:40 AM EST/5:40 AM PST - Czechia vs. Switzerland - Women’s Hockey Pool Play
2:00 PM EST/11:00 AM PST - Opening Ceremony
Prior to the Opening Ceremony, there will be some preliminary figure skating for the Team Event, wherein multiple Team Rainbow competitors will take part. Amber Glenn has the best chance to medal here. I’ve also added Filip Taschler, a pairs skater for Czechia, to Team Rainbow’s roster. Hockey matches will also serve as an amuse-bouche prior to the main event that will officially start the Olympics.
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