menu_open Columnists
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Let’s hear it for the girls: These Olympians didn’t just win gold, they saved America’s sanity for a week

15 361
21.02.2026

US News Metro Long Island Politics

Sports NFL MLB Olympics NBA NHL College Football College Basketball WNBA

Business Personal Finance

Entertainment TV Movies Music Celebrities Awards Theater

Lifestyle Weird But True Sex & Relationships Viral Trends Human Interest Parenting Fashion & Beauty Food & Drink Travel

Health Wellness Fitness Health Care Medicine Men’s Health Women’s Health Mental Health Nutrition

Science Space Environment Wildlife Archaeology

Today’s Paper Covers Columnists Horoscopes Crosswords & Games Sports Odds Podcasts Careers

Email Newsletters Official Store Home Delivery Tips

Let’s hear it for the girls: These Olympians didn’t just win gold, they saved America’s sanity for a week

Let’s hear it for the girls!

Them ladies in the red, white and blue — and their Olympic derring-do.

This week, our American women shone brightly on the global stage, showcasing our nation’s exceptional spirit, grit and perseverance at the Milano Cortina Winter Games.

In the process, they collected some gold discs in dramatic fashion.

Oh, how you made us proud! And, as a bonus, gave us a much-needed distraction from the stresses of the world.

More From Kirsten Fleming

Bruce Springsteen claims fans are welcome at his new tour, no matter what they believe in — but only if they want a lecture

Colbert wasn’t censored by Trump: he’s nothing but a desperate parasite living on Trump’s thin skin

Mamdani DSA aide’s petulant airline tweets show us what Champagne socialists are made of

There was figure skater Alysa Liu, who snagged gold and ended our country’s 20-year medal drought in the sport. Even sweeter, she did so after having retired in 2022 at age 16, only to lace up again with a relaxed smile and a renewed spirit.

She made it all look so easy.

Slalom skier Mikaela Shriffin become the most decorated American female skier in Olympic history, winning her first gold since her father tragically passed away in 2020. As she crossed the finish line in a decisively victory, she took a poignant pause to quietly remember him.

And — at 41 and in her fifth Olympic games — bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor finally nabbed her elusive gold. The mother of two adorable young sons, both of whom are deaf, juggled raising kids with her intense training; along with her hard-won medal, she was also a heavy favorite for a “World’s Greatest Mom” trophy.

And then there were our hockey gals from Team USA, who gave us a heart-thumping overtime victory over Canada with a beautiful goal from Megan Keller.

After the game, Captain Hilary Knight, whose goal took them to overtime, recalled telling her squad: “I said going into this tournament, ‘We’re America’s team.’ I said that to the girls. And I believe that.”

America’s sweethearts capped off their thrilling win standing side by side and belting out the Star Spangled Banner. It was an emotional moment of national pride.

For those seconds, we forgot our deep political divisions and remembered why we love this damn country so damn much.

It was the culmination of a great week — and acted as a cultural power wash, clearing away all that baked-in crud that has kept Americans stuck on our respective sides.

These elite athletes helped shut us up for a second. We had a real reason to stop bitching about one politician or another and simply cheer.

They also probably sold a few extra boxes of Kleenex.

And, as they say, behind every great woman are a few good dudes — like Ryan, Casey and Tommy Winn, siblings to hockey star Haley Winn. The Brothers Winn turned our social media feeds red, white and blue with their loud-and-proud coordinating get-ups, including bald-eagle masks.

Former college hockey players themselves, the trio of darling knuckleheads put on a social-media hype clinic as they posted patriotic rally videos for their sister and her teammates, notching millions of views and tons of new fans.

They werent the only fellas in the supporting cast.

In a tender moment at the the monobob medal ceremony, Meyers Taylor’s husband, fellow Olympic Bobsledder Nic Taylor, held one of their young sons and signed to him “Yes, that’s Mommy.”

And kudos to broadcaster Kenny Albert for delivering a gold-medal call that matched the drama of the moment when Keller knocked the puck around a Canadian defenseman and backhanded it past the goalie.

Albert screamed, “Score! Megan Keller,the overtime hero! The United States wins gold in Milan!”

He then stayed quiet, allowing viewers to soak in the elation of the moment.

Chronicling it all was photographer Bruce Bennett, who snapped an all-time-great photo: a jubilant Keller raising her arms in the air as Canada’s Claire Thompson lay on the ice, dejected with the agony of defeat. An American flag hung behind Keller, perfectly framed.

In fact, it was all perfect.

Maybe next week, we’ll be back to strangling each other over some micro-aggression or political disagreement. But for now, American ladies gave us something to crow about — Collectively.

If only we could bottle it. Cheers.

Let's hear it for the girls: These Olympians didn't just win gold, they saved America’s sanity for a week

Let's hear it for the girls: These Olympians didn't just win gold, they saved America’s sanity for a week

USA crushes Slovakia to set up Olympic gold medal showdown with Canada

USA crushes Slovakia to set up Olympic gold medal showdown with Canada

Star forward exits Olympic semifinal in US hockey injury scare

Star forward exits Olympic semifinal in US hockey injury scare

Up in the Blue Seats - Rangers Listen on Apple Podcasts Spotify

Up in the Blue Seats - Rangers

The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman  Listen on Apple Podcasts Spotify

The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman 

The Dodgers Post Listen on Apple Podcasts Spotify

Blue Rush: NY Giants Football Podcast Listen on Apple Podcasts Spotify

Blue Rush: NY Giants Football Podcast

Gang’s All Here: A NY Jets Football Podcast Listen on Apple Podcasts Spotify

Gang’s All Here: A NY Jets Football Podcast

NY Got Game: Basketball Listen on Apple Podcasts Spotify

NY Got Game: Basketball

Pinstripe Post - Yankees Listen on Apple Podcasts Spotify

Pinstripe Post - Yankees

Against the Cage - Combat Sports Listen on Apple Podcasts Spotify

Against the Cage - Combat Sports

Straight Outta Flushing - Mets Listen on Apple Podcasts Spotify

Straight Outta Flushing - Mets

Unlock full access to Post sports columnists and newsletters

Joel Sherman Joel Sherman's 3 Things I Think: Making sense of Yankees' Trent Grisham, Jasson Dominguez situation

Joel Sherman's 3 Things I Think: Making sense of Yankees' Trent Grisham, Jasson Dominguez situation

Mike Vaccaro There isn't much ambiguity after Knicks get punched in the mouth by Pistons — again

There isn't much ambiguity after Knicks get punched in the mouth by Pistons — again

Mike Puma Mets have potential to replicate stolen base success — but there's still a question to answer

Mets have potential to replicate stolen base success — but there's still a question to answer

Savannah Guthrie never 'coming back' to 'Today' show after her mom's disappearance: report

A powerful nor'easter could be headed for NYC: Here's how much snow we'll get and when it'll start

Sections & Features US News Metro World News Sports Sports Betting Business Opinion Entertainment Fashion & Beauty Shopping Lifestyle Real Estate Media Tech Science Health Travel Astrology Video Photos Alexa Covers Horoscopes Sports Odds Podcasts Crosswords & Games Columnists Classifieds

Post Sports+ Subscribe Articles Manage

Newsletters & Feeds Email Newsletters RSS Feeds NY Post Official Store Home Delivery Subscribe Manage Subscription Delivery Help

NY Post Official Store

Home Delivery Subscribe Manage Subscription

Help/Support About New York Post Editorial Standards New York Post Awards & Recognition Customer Service Apps Help Community Guidelines Contact Us Tips Newsroom Letters to the Editor Licensing & Reprints Careers Vulnerability Disclosure Program

New York Post Awards & Recognition

Contact Us Tips Newsroom Letters to the Editor Licensing & Reprints Careers Vulnerability Disclosure Program

Letters to the Editor

Vulnerability Disclosure Program

Apps iPhone App iPad App Android Phone Android Tablet

Advertise Media Kit Contact


© New York Post