There is nothing like a mass spectator event to get people’s funny bone activated. Take any major thing going on, and you won’t have to look far to find folks cracking jokes, dropping hot takes and producing memes.
The Olympic games tend to always capture people’s imagination, every four years. So we’ve gathered the best tweets about the 2026 Winter Olympics (so far) for your viewing enjoyment. Make like a bobsled team, sit down and get comfortable as you ride along this list, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section down below.
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The world of winter sports has always been a whirlwind of high stakes and frosty drama but the last two cycles of the Winter Games have taken that excitement to a whole new level of digital fame. Looking back at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics it is impossible to forget the absolute chokehold that a certain space faring panda had on the internet.
Bing Dwen Dwen, the official mascot became an overnight sensation with fans lining up for hours just to get a plush version of the chubby bear in its icy shell. Even a Japanese announcer earned the nickname Gido Dwen Dwen because he was so obsessed with the mascot that he forgot to report on the actual sports.
Beyond the cute characters the competition itself produced moments of pure cinematic magic like the redemption of Nathan Chen. After a heartbreak in a previous game he returned to perform a stunning routine to the song Rocketman that earned him a gold medal and a place in history as one of the greatest skaters to ever touch the ice.
The visual landscape of the 2022 games was equally viral, especially the Big Air Shougang venue. Athletes were seen launching themselves into the sky against a backdrop of massive industrial cooling towers which looked like something straight out of a science fiction movie. This was the stage where Eileen Gu truly arrived as a global superstar by winning multiple medals and capturing the hearts of millions with her poise and skill.
There was also the incredibly moving story of Lindsey Jacobellis who finally secured her gold medal in snowboard cross sixteen years after a famous mistake cost her the top spot. Her victory proved that the Olympics are not just about being the fastest on a single day but about the resilience to keep trying for nearly two decades.
Fast forward to the current excitement of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and the vibe has shifted from industrial cool to high fashion and Italian flair. The opening ceremony at the legendary San Siro stadium was basically a runway show where flag bearers wore custom Armani gowns and Mariah Carey belted out hits in a shimmering Roberto Cavalli dress.
This blend of sport and glamour set the tone for a tournament that felt like a giant celebration. One of the most shared clips from the entire two weeks happened during the cross country skiing heats when an unexpected guest named Nazgul the Wolfdog decided to join the race. The sight of a furry friend trotting alongside the world elite athletes provided exactly the kind of levity that fans love to share on social media.
I think the issue is that it was a branding thing and NOT an "omg female undies" thing - she displayed the brand logo of one of her sponsors in a manner that's not allowed in the Olympics (I think - I know the Olympics has VERY strict rules about logos and branding and advertisements.) If Karl had the Nike logo drawn on his chest, he'd have gotten in trouble, for example.
Load More Replies...The 2026 games also delivered a massive dose of nostalgia and national pride for fans of team sports. The United States Men Hockey Team ended a decades long gold medal drought by defeating their rivals Canada in a heart stopping overtime thriller. Watching the young squad celebrate their victory was a reminder of the iconic Miracle on Ice from years past.
No that's for practice on multi-storey car-parking station ramps when there is no ice.
Meanwhile the figure skating world saw another historic milestone when Alysa Liu became the first American woman in twenty four years to claim the individual gold. Her reaction of pure joy upon seeing her scores became an instant meme of happiness and relief. Even the legendary Eileen Gu returned to the podium to further cement her status as the most decorated freestyle skier in the history of the movement with an incredible three medal run in the Italian mountains.
Like when I watch the Van Cliburn piano competition where everyone competing are the best pianists in the world and blows my mind but some judge can hear a missed note.
As an old guy, curling has its attractions: it's the only sport I can get up and go take a pee and still not miss any of the action.
Beyond the medals and the records the 2026 games were defined by deeply personal stories that resonated across the globe. Alpine skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin brought many to tears when she won gold in the slalom and spoke about the grief of losing her father while trying to find her joy in the sport again. There was also a viral proposal that stopped the show when Breezy Johnson got engaged right after her downhill victory.
These human moments are what truly keep the spirit of the Winter Olympics alive because they remind us that behind every world record and gravity defying trick there is a person with a story worth telling. Whether it is a panda mascot or a wolfdog on a ski track the viral history of these games proves that the world is always ready to be inspired by a mix of talent and heart.
Lots of those athletes live at or below the poverty line while chasing their Olympic dream.
That is how I played it the 1st time. I got sucked into the crowd at the bar on their way to play. I went along just to watch. Well, they were a few people short and the rest is history. I have a scar to prove it. 😉
I had classmates who did that. They were so cool. They had an attendance exemption because they participated in international competitions. So they hardly showed up in class during the winter months. Either they were travelling to some ski slope, in training sessions or they were partying hard with their mates. All for the sake of winning some medals. One of these guys had a street in our small town named after him after he won the ski championship (I don't know which one). Of course all the girls in school were in love with them, but they were too aloof.
You get started in this sport by sledding with your younger sibling on your lap. 😁
Then ski-jumping is for you - any steeply sloped roof facing a swimming pool will do to practice on.
Always felt "all that" when we had ski outings in school...until you see someone who has a different one every week. Zippers' like an inch thick.
This person’s profile picture is Mikhail Shaidorov (aka the mens figure skating gold medalist!)
High-wire walking over a frozen lake wearing full arctic gear in a blizzard
That part of the opening ceremony was SO bad. It was a skit where her microphone wasn't working so she had to communicate by hand gestures. We get the stereotype, but it really wasn't funny.
Ive got a countdown set to Worlds in March im so ready for Ilia’s comeback. (And perhaps Misha’s panda Gala again)
I have a similar pic - 2 eagles k****d and ate a goose right on my frozen lake. Apparently they only do it in winter when food is scarce. Pic below since it will get hidden.
One of the guys needed stitches in his face after he slipped and fell on the ice. Can't remember which country.
For those who have never seen them, they are the best part of many Nationals' games.
Nothing about the dog coming in third in the women's cross country skiing qualifier. He deserves the Bronze!
Well done Justin. Non-toxic, celebs but positive, current affairs. Wholesome content.
I wonder how some of these events came into being, e.g. the biathlon. Imagine the conversation: Planner 1: "Now we've got cross country skiing. Its not nearly the draw that downhill skiing is. What can we do to spruce it up?" Planner 2: "I dunno. Give the skiers a gun?" Planner 1. "That's it!"
For anyone who needs another dose of Olympics, head to YouTube and watch the 1980 animated film, 'Animalympics'. It's a lot of fun - humorous , but still holding up the ideals of the Olympics. Directed by Steve Lisberger; Brad Bird ('The Incredibles', 'The Iron Giant') was an animator; voices by Billy Crystal, Gilda Radner, Harry Shearer, and more; and original music by 10cc. Definitely worth a watch.
So many death-defying events in the Winter games always makes the summer events look really tame by comparison.
I can't watch the Luge or the Bobsledding. I can watch the beginning but then I just can't bear to watch. I'm convinced that none of them will survive.
Load More Replies...In the opening ceremony, the athletes' representative should include the promise "... to know no fear".
I like watching curling. First you have the ones who throw the stones and they slide so smoothly, then you have the ones who have to sweep like janitors on double doses of Adderall and you wonder if one will fall or hit the stone or just fail to sweep excellently.
Nothing about the dog coming in third in the women's cross country skiing qualifier. He deserves the Bronze!
Well done Justin. Non-toxic, celebs but positive, current affairs. Wholesome content.
I wonder how some of these events came into being, e.g. the biathlon. Imagine the conversation: Planner 1: "Now we've got cross country skiing. Its not nearly the draw that downhill skiing is. What can we do to spruce it up?" Planner 2: "I dunno. Give the skiers a gun?" Planner 1. "That's it!"
For anyone who needs another dose of Olympics, head to YouTube and watch the 1980 animated film, 'Animalympics'. It's a lot of fun - humorous , but still holding up the ideals of the Olympics. Directed by Steve Lisberger; Brad Bird ('The Incredibles', 'The Iron Giant') was an animator; voices by Billy Crystal, Gilda Radner, Harry Shearer, and more; and original music by 10cc. Definitely worth a watch.
So many death-defying events in the Winter games always makes the summer events look really tame by comparison.
I can't watch the Luge or the Bobsledding. I can watch the beginning but then I just can't bear to watch. I'm convinced that none of them will survive.
Load More Replies...In the opening ceremony, the athletes' representative should include the promise "... to know no fear".
I like watching curling. First you have the ones who throw the stones and they slide so smoothly, then you have the ones who have to sweep like janitors on double doses of Adderall and you wonder if one will fall or hit the stone or just fail to sweep excellently.
