Controversy Hits the Winter Games

Day 17: This year’s drama goes beyond competition

Feb 17, 2026

Would you have bet two weeks ago that the biggest scandal at the Winter Olympics would be in Curling? A sport famous for its fairness and call-your-own-foul mentality is struggling with officiating and yet somehow more popular than ever. But the definition of a double-touch is not the only controversy in Milan.

American Women’s Ski Jumper Annika Belshaw was disqualified for an equipment violation not involving a penis. *(Photo: Getty/Tom Weller)*

Certainly the most scandalously named controversy - Penisgate - has been in Men’s Ski Jumping, where athletes have been accused of injecting their ‘equipment’ with acid in order to fly further. This is apparently a real enough thing that no less than Scientific American broke down the physics of the scandal. Other athletes have been involved in cheating outside the field of play - from a conviction for robbing a teammate to publicly airing their infidelity.

And of course it wouldn’t truly be the Winter Olympics without a Figure Skating scandal. Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates won the Silver medal in Ice Dancing after a shock low score from the (surprise!) French judge. Officials defended the score, and Team USA chose not to appeal. This has once again ignited calls for reform, with US Figure Skating has said it will ask for the scoring system to be reviewed and even moving toward AI judging. I can’t wait for the robot judge scandal in 2030!

What To Watch Today

(All times Eastern. Full event replays available on-demand on Peacock)

Men’s Ice Hockey playoffs begin with the qualification round; winners advance to quarterfinals. Team USA sits in 4th heading into the 2-Man Bobsled finals.

4:45 am - Freestyle Skiing: Women’s Aerials Qualifications 🇺🇸
7:00 am - Snowboarding: Women’s Slopestyle Finals 🥇 🇺🇸
7:30 am - Freestyle Skiing: Men’s Aerials Qualifications 🇺🇸
7:45 am - Nordic Combined: Men’s Individual Large Hill Cross Country 🥇
8:05 am - Curling: Women’s Round Robin (4 matches) 🇺🇸
8:30 am - Biathlon: Men’s 4x7.5km Relay 🥇
10:22 am - Speed Skating: Men’s Team Pursuit Finals 🥇
10:41 am - Speed Skating: Women’s Team Pursuit Finals 🥇
1:00 pm - Bobsled: 2-man Heats 3&4 🥇 🇺🇸
1:05 pm - Curling: Men’s Round Robin (4 matches) 🇺🇸
1:30 pm - Freestyle Skiing: Men’s Freeski Big Air Finals 🥇 🇺🇸
12:45 pm - Figure Skating: Women’s Single - Short Program 🇺🇸