Olympics Edition: It’s not a goodbye, it’s arrivederci
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
And that’s a wrap!
Today’s newsletter (the last of our daily coverage) will put a bow on the Milano Cortina Olympics, but thankfully we still have the Paralympic Games to look forward to beginning on March 6th. It’s not a goodbye, it’s arrivederci.
Country | 🥇 | 🥈 | 🥉 | Total |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | 18 | 12 | 11 | 41 |
| 🇺🇸 USA | 12 | 12 | 9 | 33 |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 10 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada (11th) | 5 | 7 | 9 | 21 |
Ice hockey
🥈🏒 What is pain?
The GIST: Hockey heartbreak likes company, apparently, after the worst kind of déjà vu saw Team Canada men’s hockey fall 2–1 in overtime to Team USA in yesterday’s gold medal game. Whichever stage of grief you’re experiencing, another red-and-white–clad fan is right there with you.
💔 A tale of missed opportunities: Led by tournament MVP Connor McDavid, the Canadians outplayed, outshot, and outchanced their arch nemesis for much of the gold medal tilt, notably tallying a whopping 42 shots compared to the Americans’ 28. As sidelined captain Sidney Crosby aptly put it, Canada “did everything but score.” Yep, this one stings.
- American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck put on an absolute clinic, stymying the high-powered Canadian attack with Etsy witch–level sorcery. He’s the reigning Hart Memorial Trophy winner for a reason, after all.
🫶 An ode to Sid the Kid: The 38-year-old Crosby’s absence was sorely felt by the Canadian contingent, who could’ve used his big-game experience, intangible on-ice leadership, and undeniable skillset. Sitting out was the injured Crosby’s decision, with the superstar opting to ensure all of Canada’s stacked forward lines were completely healthy. A captain through and through.
- Was this Crosby’s last Games? Only time will tell. When asked about 2030, the three-time Olympic medalist didn’t have an answer. Whatever he decides, Canada’s beloved superstar has certainly earned a spot on hockey’s Mount Rushmore.
TOGETHER WITH Air Canada
✈️ Travel is a team sport
🏅 Nobody wins medals alone — it takes a village to top the podium. Air Canada is proud to be part of that support system for all Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes as the Official Airline of Team Canada.
- Plus, Air Canada is the ultimate team player, even long after the Games are over. They remain committed to taking care of all the details so athletes can stay focused on the game, and they’ve already extended this initiative to the 2028 and 2030 Games with more athlete endorsements.
🏒 Fly like Team Canada hockey legends when you travel with Air Canada — the definition of arriving in style.
🏅🇨🇦 Canada’s final Milano Cortina medal count came in at 21 — five gold, seven silver, and nine bronze — marking the sixth straight Winter Games where Canadian athletes have surpassed the 20-medal mark. Lots to be proud of.
- But there’s also an elephant in the room. Canada’s 21 medals are the nation’s lowest total over the last six Games, and a lack of funding might be one of the main culprits: The last increase in federal backing came two decades ago.
🏅🇮🇹 Let’s hear it for the gracious hosts. Italy delivered their best Winter Games performance ever, earning 30 medals (10 of them gold) — the second-most successful performance by a host country in Winter Olympics history, trailing Canada’s 14 gold medals at the 2010 Vancouver Games.
- How’d they do it? For starters, the Italian government is investing $400M annually to support its Winter and Summer athletes.
🥇🥌 Two-time curling gold medalist Brad Jacobs has done it again. With Saturday’s thrilling 9–6 win over Great Britain, the 40-year-old skipped Team Canada to its first curling gold since 2014, aka the last time Jacobs topped the podium.
- 🥉 But that’s not all: One day earlier, Rachel Homan’s rink took home bronze, beating Team USA 10–7 for her first medal in three Olympic appearances. This is the first Games in 12 years where both Canadian curling teams rocked to a podium finish.
🥈💨⛸️ Team Canada speed skater Ivanie Blondin earned silver in the women’s mass start on Saturday, matching her Beijing performance in the event. The 35-year-old is the first Canadian to win multiple medals in the discipline.
- As for the other Canuck vying for the podium, Valérie Maltais had a devastating fall in the early part of the 16-lap race, but showed resilience and crossed the line fifth.
🥉⛷️ Canadian freestyle skier Brendan Mackay is a bronze medalist, flipping his way to third place in the men’s halfpipe competition on Saturday. We love a couples matching set.
🥇⛷️ Team China skier Eileen Gu defended her halfpipe gold medal yesterday, adding to the two silvers she snagged at the Milano Cortina Games. The 22-year-old is now the most decorated freeskier of all time — male or female. Bravely making her grandmother proud.
- 🇨🇦 As expected, Canadian Cassie Sharpe didn’t compete after suffering a concussion during qualifying last Thursday. Fellow Canuck Amy Fraser overcame a pesky shoulder injury to finish fourth.
👏 Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo is the first athlete to win six gold medals at a single Winter Olympics after winning the men’s 50km event on Saturday. The win marks Klæbo’s 11th career gold across three Games. Only GOATs take selfies like this.
🇨🇦 Olympic champion speed skaters Steven Dubois and the aforementioned Valérie Maltais were Team Canada’s Closing Ceremony flag bearers yesterday, a well-deserved honor for a duo who accounted for two golds, one silver, and two bronze between them.
TOGETHER WITH Snyder's of Hanover
👏 We’ve celebrated plenty of big wins over the last two weeks, but what about the small ones? Did you wake up on time today? Finish a book? Tidy up your desk? Then treat yourself to a fresh bag of Snyder’s of Hanover® Pretzel Pieces.
- With varieties that test the limits of flavour like Cheddar Cheese, Honey Mustard & Onion, and Hot Buffalo Wing, you can’t go wrong with bold Snyder’s of Hanover® Pretzels. Here’s to you.
💚 Leaving a legacy
The Milano Cortina Olympics ended just as fashionably — and as sustainably — as they began, with some of the Closing Ceremony costumes made entirely from recycled materials. This video shows how the costume of Rigoletto, a character in the mini-opera within the ceremony, was hand-crafted using 40 pairs of thrifted jeans. Winning gold and being green.
❣️ Your favorite moments
How beautiful Milan Italy 🇮🇹 was — Roxanne
My favourite…moment was when Eileen Gu clapped back at a male reporter for basically saying silver/her efforts weren’t good enough. — Danielle
Canada going back to back in women’s speed skating team pursuit! The joy on their faces was unmatched. Go gals!!! — Bea
Nazgul joining the xc race — Amy
Today’s email was brought to you by Alessandra Puccio, Lisa Minutillo, Lauren Tuiskula, and Katie Kehoe Foster. Editing by Katie Kehoe Foster. Fact-checking and ops by Elisha Gunaratnam. Ads by Alessandra Puccio and Lisa Minutillo. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.