Cheating in the most-polite sport, curling and what is "sledhead?"

February 16, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

🎙️ The Voices & The Context

The Format: Fast-paced news roundup podcast preview from NPR's Up First Winter Games, blending live Olympic updates, reporter interviews, and segment teases during the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
The Key Players:
- Host: Ian Martinez, energetic anchor guiding the show with humor and Olympic fandom.
- Reporters: Ping Huang (curling scandal, speed skating), Brian Mann (Mikaela Shiffrin), Ruth Sherlock (environmental sustainability), Emily Kuang (sledhead risks)—on-the-ground experts delivering vivid dispatches.
The Vibe: Exciting and educational, mixing high-stakes drama, scandal shock, and fun banter amid the thrill of winter sports.

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What you'll learn

1 (02:35) **Olympic Medal Highlights**
2 (04:05) **Curling Cheating Scandal**
3 (09:04) **Jordan Stoltes Speed Skating Dominance**
4 (10:48) **Olympic Sustainability Concerns**
5 (16:01) **Sledhead: Brain Risks in Sliding Sports**

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

If enjoyed this, check out the Up First Winter Games Video Podcast. You'll find it at youtube.com/npr.

This bonus episode of Up First was edited by Eric Whitney. Our visual editors include Nicole Werbeck, Elizabeth Gillis, Grace Raver and Pablo Valdivia.

It was produced by Lauren Migaki, Brianna Scott, Ana Perez, Barry Gordemer and Elizabeth Baker.

We get engineering support from Jay Czys, Andie Huether, Becky Brown and Josephine Nyounai.

Our Executive Producers are Adam Verdugo, Jay Shaylor and Samantha Melbourneweaver.

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