- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Oak Park Today
By the People, for the People
Donna Vickroy Celebrates the Wonders of the Olympic Games
The columnist shares her love for the global event and the inspiring stories it brings
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Donna Vickroy, a columnist for the Chicago Tribune, expresses her deep appreciation for the Olympic Games and how they bring the world together to showcase incredible athletic talent and the human spirit. She marvels at the skills of winter sports athletes, the weird and wonderful events, and the personal stories of triumph and sportsmanship that emerge from the competition.
Why it matters
Vickroy's column highlights how the Olympics transcend sports, providing a global platform to celebrate human achievement, diversity, and the values of community and perseverance. Her perspective resonates with readers who may not be elite athletes themselves but can still find inspiration in the Olympic spirit.
The details
Vickroy shares her awe for winter sports athletes and their ability to excel in extreme conditions, from figure skaters to ski jumpers. She also notes the bizarre and entertaining events, like "ballet skiing" and the appearance of a Czechoslovakian wolfdog in the cross-country sprint. The column also touches on the scandals and controversies that inevitably arise, as well as the uplifting personal stories, such as American figure skater Alysa Liu's journey back to the ice after taking a break for her mental health.
- The 2026 Winter Olympic Games took place in Milan, Italy.
- The opening ceremonies contained a message about the importance of community over individualism.
- The column was published on February 20, 2026, shortly after the conclusion of the Games.
The players
Donna Vickroy
A columnist for the Chicago Tribune who has a deep appreciation for the Olympic Games and the stories they produce.
Alysa Liu
An American figure skater who took a break from the sport to prioritize her mental health, then returned to win gold at the Milan Games.
Malcolm Naumov
An American figure skater whose parents were tragically killed in a plane crash, inspiring viewers with his perseverance.
Ilia Malinin
A U.S. figure skater who was favored to win gold but stumbled under pressure, before graciously congratulating the winner.
Mikhail Shaidorov
A figure skater from Kazakhstan who won the gold medal after Malinin's stumble.
What they’re saying
“I love how the world comes together to showcase incredible athletes and to remind us while very few of us are athletically talented, all of us understand the human need to realize our destiny.”
— Donna Vickroy, Columnist (Chicago Tribune)
“Alysa Liu reminded us all about the importance of safeguarding one's mental health. After the Beijing Games in 2016, Lui walked away from the expectations and pressure that comes with high achievement. She did what she wanted for two years and then returned to the ice on her own terms, just in time to take the gold in Milan.”
— Donna Vickroy, Columnist (Chicago Tribune)
The takeaway
Vickroy's column celebrates the Olympic Games as a unifying global event that showcases the incredible talents and inspiring stories of athletes from around the world, reminding readers that the human spirit of determination, resilience, and sportsmanship exists in all of us, even if we are not elite competitors.
