For Laila Edwards, this year’s Winter Olympics is about far more than sport, and that’s something she’s getting comfortable with.

The Canadian women have won gold at five of the last six Winter Olympics, but USA has all the momentum heading into the 2026 Milano Cortina Games.

The Winter Olympics in Milan are halfway across the globe, but Central Ohio enthusiasts expect an uptick in interest in their sports this month as people watch the Games. Why it matters: The Olympics don't just boost the economy of host cities — they can be a crucial window during which niche and seasonal sports find new lifelong participants.