If you enjoy watching the Winter Olympics, you might be drawn to the beautiful snowy landscapes. The radicality and plasticity of sports like snowboarding. The lightness and grace of figure skating. Curling “brooms” are also popular.
This time I recommend watching the Olympics even more carefully. For the first time, Brazil has real medal possibilities. For the moment, the chances of this unprecedented podium are with Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, in alpine skiing, and Nicole Silveira, in skeleton.
The Winter Olympics and Paralympics, which begin on February 6, will be the first major sporting event of 2026. There will be no shortage of opportunities to follow other Brazilian athletes.
What a year tennis player João Fonseca has had. He started 2025 145th in the world rankings and finished 24th. The ATP 500 title in Basel in October was the icing on the cake for the 19-year-old. In the women’s category, I encourage Bia Haddad Maia to find her best form.
In table tennis, Hugo Calderano became the first non-Asian or European athlete to compete in a World Cup final. The silver in this tournament, which is the second in importance after the Olympic Games, and the current 3rd place in the world ranking consolidate it in this sport.
In surfing, our country continues to fly. Yago Dora is the last world champion of the WSL (World Surfing League). For the eighth time in 11 years, the title went to a Brazilian.
And what Japanese and Australians, how nothing. Rayssa Leal holds the title of this year’s premier street skate world circuit. Olympic medalist in Tokyo-2021 and Paris-2024, the 17-year-old Brazilian is one of the most admired skateboarders around the world. I consider the inclusion of surfing and skateboarding in the Olympic program to be a great achievement of the IOC (International Olympic Committee).
Of course, in June the Superlatives World Cup will take place, in three countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico, and with 48 teams. If Donald Trump leaves, sports headlines will dominate political headlines.
The Brazilian team couldn’t be in better hands. Brazil has changed its face since the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti. He is more secure defensively and confident offensively. Have you noticed that it’s been a long time since the yellow shirt was associated with anything political? The Italian’s last call-up will take place in March. In May, the final list will be published. Brazil are not as favorites as Spain, France and Argentina, but they are closer to challenging for the title they have not won in 24 years.
In a polarized and immediate world, with social media becoming a sewer of hollow and ignorant opinions, I hope that in 2026 we can show patience and respect towards others. When talking about sports and how we treat our athletes, let’s make it clear that it is precisely the imponderable that makes everything more exciting and that there is an opponent on the other side who may be better prepared than the competitor we support.
I also hope that next year, women journalists can simply do their jobs without the threat of verbal or physical attacks. That sports directors and coaches honor the position they occupy and think before saying stupid things. Nothing like the start of a new year to renew my optimism in humanity.
Happy New Year 2026.
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