Category Archives: 2022 Olympic Curling

Narratives and favorite things from the Olympics



We recap a fun Olympic curling tournament. First, we discuss the narratives surrounding the performances of Canada, Sweden and Great Britain. What’s next for Curling Canada? Do we have a new greatest curler of all time? Is Team GB’s process justified? Then we list our favorite things from these Olympics, including the BBC’s dislike of Team USA and some daily affirmations. We try to end with some joy and hope.


How the Olympics expands Japan’s curling “pond”



Like the United States, interest in curling soars in Japan during the Olympics. This interest has reached even greater levels following Japan’s bronze medal performance at the 2018 games. Naoki Iwanaga, a former competitive curler from Japan now living in the US, joins us to talk all things Japanese curling. We discuss the differences in curling culture between Japan and the US. Then, we learn about the growth of the sport in Japan and the need for a dedicated curling facility in Tokyo. He also introduces us to the concept of “沼” (meaning pond or swamp) and how it relates to the increased attention on curling during Team Fujisawa’s games.

Japan Curling Association’s Curling Pond YouTube series
Follow Naoki on Twitter


Breaking down the Olympic playoff races



And down the stretch they come! Every team at the Olympics has three games left on their schedule at the time of this recording. First, we try to untangle the women’s standings. Then, we breakdown the game that will probably decide the men’s playoff field.

Olympic and Paralympic Curling Schedule
Our Welcome to Curling series for newcomers


Mixed doubles in Beijing was wild and wonderful



As everyone predicted (and by everyone, we mean no one), Italy will face Norway for the mixed doubles curling gold. In this episode we review the mixed doubles competition going into the gold- and bronze-medal games, especially the fantastic stories of Italy and Australia. We also discuss what trends could emerge in mixed doubles as a whole coming out of these games.

Our “Welcome to Curling” series for those new to the sport
Men’s Olympic curling preview
Women’s Olympic curling preview


Korea’s Team Kim makes triumphant Olympic return



We’ve documented the trials and tribulations that Korea’s Team Kim Eun-jung experienced during and after their Olympic silver medal. Well, now we get to hear about the happy part of their story. The part where Team Kim earned its way back to the Olympics. We are joined by coach Peter Gallant and curling consultant Melvin Lee to discuss Team Kim’s journey to qualify for Beijing and the new support system they have in place for this Olympics. This led to a discussion of governance in curling and how it’s changed since curling became an Olympic sport.

The remarkable return of Korea’s Team Kim
Our interview with Team Kim coach Lim Myung-sup
Listen to our Welcome to Curling series


Meet the mixed doubles curling teams at the 2022 Olympics



The Olympic mixed doubles field features some familiar faces from 2018, some of the game’s best shooters and two countries making their Olympic debut.

Listen to our Welcome to Curling series
See the 2022 Olympic curling schedule
Curling in Australia with Tahli Gill’s mom, Lyn
Mixed doubles curling with Anna Fowler