By Jotham Bailey
As of yesterday, the United States closed out an eventful Winter Olympics season — U.S. teams have won Gold medals in hockey, speed skating and figure skating. The team has also suffered major losses, such as star Olympian Ilia Malinin, the “Quad God,” delivering a disappointing result after high expectations in men’s figure skating, and Olympic veteran Lindsey Vonn’s career-ending crash in Women’s downhill skiing.
However, there were also plenty of noteworthy moments for other competing countries that have captivated international audiences. Norway broke the record for the most gold medals won by a country in a single winter Olympics. The Netherlands broke four Olympic records and one world record in speed skating. Not all countries have had the results they expected, however, including the Canadian curling team, which was exposed for “double-touching,” a major infraction in the traditionally sportsmanlike event.
To celebrate the 2026 Winter Olympics, the International Student Programs (ISP) hosted regular watch parties in its Lower Beamer office over the past two weeks. The ISP staff posted the particular dates and times of the events on their Instagram, and each day, students wandered in to lounge on the couches and watch whatever event was being broadcast.
These watch parties have created opportunities for students to engage with Wheaton’s international community in a special and often personal way.
“My family keeps up with the Olympics, and I really miss doing that with them,” said Sophia Ndjerareou, a sophomore studying engineering. “So I’ve been coming into the ISP around noon after my classes to spend about 30 minutes watching whatever’s on.”
The ISP has become a familial environment for international students through the watch parties, and students feel comfortable spending time in a place where they can relate to people from different backgrounds and cultures.
“I think it’s really sweet to be able to connect with a lot of different people and to be able to have shared enjoyment over something that is so global and that connects people across cultures,” said Hailey Bennet, a first-year student studying public health. “I think it is a really beautiful thing and a demonstration of a kingdom experience on this side of heaven.”
Look below to see some photos from a few of the event days:
