Via: International Olympic Committee

Marissa Hodgson

Sports Editor 

When the Winter Olympics roll around, certain sports dominate television screens, social media feeds, and everyday conversation. Hockey, in particular, remains the undisputed favourite for many young viewers. “I watch the Olympics, but only hockey,” said Joseph Chisholm, an 18-year-old second year psychology student at Dawson College. His response reflects a common pattern among students who primarily associate the Olympics with the sports they already follow outside of the Olympic Games.

For some viewers, a second familiar sport occasionally draws attention. Serena Ricci, 18, said she sometimes watches figure skating. “It’s exciting to watch them perform difficult routines,” she said, adding that her interest is influenced by her own experience in the sport as a child. The artistry, dramatic music, and visible scoring make figure skating easier to follow than many other events. Still, beyond hockey and a handful of recognizable competitions, many Olympic sports struggle to attract consistent attention from younger audiences.

Popular winter sports tend to be easy to understand and widely advertised. Hockey benefits from professional leagues that run throughout the year, well-known athletes, and long-standing rivalries that keep fans engaged even outside the Olympic cycle. Players already have established fan bases before they even step onto Olympic ice. “They’re advertised way more in other pro leagues,” Chisholm said. As a result, Olympic coverage often mirrors what audiences already know, reinforcing attention on the same events every four years while leaving little space for unfamiliar competitions.

Social media also plays a role in shaping what younger viewers watch. Highlight clips, athlete interviews, and viral moments tend to circulate from sports that already command large audiences. Hockey goals and dramatic figure skating falls are easy to clip and share. In contrast, sports with more complex formats or scoring systems may not translate as easily into short videos. Without consistent exposure online, many events remain out of sight and out of mind.

Meanwhile, lesser known winter sports such as curling, biathlon, ski jumping, and skeleton remain on the margins. Although most students interviewed recognized these sports by name, few could explain how they worked. “I’ve heard of them before, but I don’t know the rules,” Ricci said. Olivia Zito, a 19-year-old second year Computer Science student, said she is only familiar with curling and ski jumping and does not actively seek out the others during the Olympic Games.

This lack of familiarity is one of the biggest barriers preventing these sports from gaining wider audiences. “More people watch popular sports and are familiar with them,” Zito said. Media coverage tends to prioritize events that guarantee high viewership, leaving less time to explain the rules, background, or athletes involved in niche sports. Without context, recognizable storylines, or a clear understanding of what is at stake, many viewers simply change the channel.

Yet, many of these overlooked sports offer just as much intensity and athletic ability as their more popular counterparts. Biathlon, for example, combines cross-country skiing at high speeds with precision rifle shooting. Athletes must lower their heart rates within seconds to shoot accurately after exhausting laps around the course. One missed target can add time penalties or force competitors to ski extra distance, dramatically shifting the standings. The sport demands endurance, control, and mental focus.

Skeleton may be even more visually dramatic. Athletes sprint alongside a small sled before launching themselves headfirst onto it, racing down an icy track at speeds that can exceed 120 kilometres per hour. With only subtle body movements used to steer, there is little room for error. A slight miscalculation can cost precious fractions of a second. Ski jumping, meanwhile, requires athletes to launch themselves off towering ramps, relying on precise timing, balance, and nerve to fly as far as possible before landing cleanly on a steep slope below.

Curling, often the subject of jokes, is far more strategic than it appears at first glance. Players must calculate angles, weight, and ice conditions while coordinating sweeping techniques that influence the stone’s speed and direction. Matches can shift dramatically in a single end, rewarding patience and long term planning.

When properly explained, these sports showcase a different kind of excitement, one rooted in precision, risk, and strategy rather than constant scoring. Several students acknowledged that better presentation could make a difference. Ricci said she would be more likely to watch lesser-known sports if broadcasters took more time to break down how they worked. “If the rules were explained more and there was more interaction on social media, I’d be more likely to watch,” she said.

Short explainer segments, athlete profiles, and behind-the-scenes content could make these events feel more accessible, especially to younger viewers who consume sports through digital platforms. Giving audiences someone to root for, whether through a compelling underdog story or a growing rivalry, can make even the most unfamiliar sport feel personal.

The Olympics are meant to celebrate the full range of athletic excellence, not just the most recognizable competitions. While hockey and other popular sports will likely continue to dominate viewership, broader coverage and stronger storytelling could encourage audiences to look beyond what they already know. With clearer explanations, engaging promotion, and greater visibility, the sports many viewers overlook might just become the ones worth watching next.