Olympic Athletes Skip the Super Bowl to Focus on Their Games

During a Sunday night that millions in America will watch, the winter athletes at the Milano Cortina Games are choosing a different path. The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks head to Santa Clara, California for the NFL title, but the Olympic competitors are all set to sleep through it. The game kicks off at half‑past midnight Monday Central European Time, a time that hardly matches the schedule of those training for the next day’s events. Beijing silver medallist Ryan Cochran‑Siegle says he will cheer for the Patriots only in his dreams. “I packed my Drake Maye jersey on January 10th for the Super Bowl, so I’ll probably wear it to bed, ” he told reporters. He plans to hide the jersey under his suit if the team wins. Boston curler Korey Dropkin also keeps his Patriots support secret. “I’m going to wear my Pats jersey to bed, ” he said, adding that he will log out of social media and stay disconnected. He hopes to wake up to the news of a Patriots victory.Short‑track skaters Corinne Stoddard and Julie Letai are less restrained. They joked about the game’s outcome before the championship match. Stoddard, from Seattle, expressed confidence that the Seahawks would win, while Letai, a New Englander, suggested a friendly bet with a teammate and assured that their focus would stay on the Olympic competition. Freestyle skier Chris Lillis, who loves the Buffalo Bills, is one of the few who can actually watch the Super Bowl. He says that since his competition starts on February 17th, the game won’t affect him. “I’m rooting for the Seahawks, ” he noted, hoping the Patriots don’t win again before the Bills return to the title game. Overall, these athletes prioritize rest and preparation over late‑night sports fandom. Their stories highlight how global events can clash with local priorities, and how athletes balance personal interests with professional commitments.