During a break between the groups performing their high-stakes routines, I heard the American woman sitting beside me prolifically cursing. This was the same woman who’d earlier spilled her drink on me. So that’s what we did: wore masks on planes, public transportation, crowded shuttle buses and in packed Olympic locales like the ice skating arena. Over her empty seat, I chatted with the Swiss woman who’d been on her other side. Advertisement AdvertisementThis is why being surrounded by people from all over the globe at Olympic events was such a relief.

Source: Huffington Post March 16, 2026 12:42 UTC