Sweeping romance: the married couples of Cortina’s Winter Olympic curling rink
Guardian Sport
by Andy Bull in CortinaFebruary 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Winter Olympics have always been a stage for unexpected love stories, but few are as unique as those involving married couples competing together on the ice. At Cortina’s curling rink, three pairs of spouses faced off in mixed doubles curling, turning the sport into a real-life stress test of their relationships. This event, held under the spotlight with live audiences, showcased the emotional highs and lows of balancing romance with high-stakes competition.
While other sports like ice dancing also featured partner duos—such as Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the U.S., who won silver, and Italy’s Marco Fabbri and Charlène Guignard, who finished fourth—the curling event stood out for its relatable dynamic. Curling, often likened to navigating life’s challenges together without modern conveniences like GPS, mirrors the everyday struggles of teamwork and communication in a relationship. The sport’s format, which requires partners to strategize and execute moves in unison, made it a fascinating window into how these couples managed tension and celebrated small victories side by side.
For sports enthusiasts, this story adds a human touch to the Olympics, highlighting not just athletic skill but also the resilience of love and partnership. It offers a fresh perspective on what it means to compete at the highest level while maintaining a personal connection. These athletes’ experiences remind viewers that success in sport often extends beyond medals—it can also be about how well you handle life’s challenges alongside those you cherish most.
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Originally published on Guardian Sport on 2/14/2026