Olympians Dream of Super Bowl Glory from Afar

As the Super Bowl captives millions of viewers across America, athletes at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics face a dilemma: watch the game or catch up on sleep. The matchup between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks unfolds in California, presenting a time-zone challenge for European-based athletes.

Olympians like Ryan Cochran-Siegle, a silver medallist, express commitment to their sporting schedules over fandom, choosing to sleep rather than catch the game, with his Patriots jersey packed for comfort. Similarly, mixed doubles curler Korey Dropkin opts for a social media blackout to maintain a surprise about the game results.

Meanwhile, friendly rivalries simmer among American athletes such as short-track speed skaters Corinne Stoddard and Julie Letai, who indulge in sportive banter as their teams vie for NFL supremacy. With some Olympians able to watch due to relaxed schedules, the clash of priorities highlights the cultural significance of this major sporting event.