The Olympic spirit was in full force at the University of Oregon leading up to and during the Winter Olympics and setting the stage for Olympic Studies Week 2026.
Just before the opening ceremonies, students, faculty, staff—and even The Duck—came together in a playful tribute that captured the energy, creativity, and camaraderie of the UO community and the Lundquist College of Business. While lighthearted in tone, the video underscored the college as home to the UO Olympic Studies Hub, one of only three officially recognized Olympic Studies Research Centres in the United States.
That momentum carried directly into UO Olympic Studies Week 2026, which brought together students, faculty, researchers, alumni, and partners for a vibrant week of events celebrating the intersection of sport, scholarship, and global engagement. Held February 16–20, the second annual Olympic Studies Week highlighted UO's growing leadership in Olympic-focused research, teaching, and industry engagement, not just in the United States but also internationally.
With the 2026 Winter Olympics unfolding in Milan–Cortina, campus energy was high as students and community members explored both academic and experiential perspectives on the games. Among the week's public offerings were the UO Library's Winter Sports Archives Tour, a student-organized Team USA Watch Party hosted by the Warsaw Sports Business Club, and a special U.S. Bobsled guest speaker session that drew fans and enthusiasts alike.
Classroom and seminar experiences added depth to the week. From international panels connecting Olympic studies centers in Europe to online guest lectures with industry leaders, students engaged directly with global Olympic expertise. Faculty-led discussions covered legacy, marketing, and the business of the Olympic Games, giving participants a broad view of how the Games shape societies and industries.
"Olympic Studies Week brought so many different parts of the university together. Hearing directly from athletes, researchers, and those involved on the operational side gave me a completely new perspective on the meaning, logistics, and business pressures behind elite winter sports. It's one thing to watch the Games, but it's another to see the career paths available within that movement," said Olivia Bass, a junior, business administration major concentrating in sports business.
Events such as the Team USA Watch Party, hosted by the Warsaw Sports Business Center, also fostered community connection, bringing peers together to watch Olympic competitions on large screens in James Commons in Tykeson Hall. Whether pausing between classes or gathering with classmates and faculty, participants embraced the shared excitement of the games.
Beyond campus programming, the week also reflected the University of Oregon's role in shaping global Olympic research.
From February 18–20, the UO Olympic Studies Hub co-sponsored the International Symposium for Olympic and Paralympic Research in Naples, held during the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The symposium brought together scholars from around the world to examine the theme "The Games in a Digital World: Human Flourishing, Olympic Values and Sustainability in the Age of AI."
UO Olympic Studies Hub Academic Director and Professor T. Bettina Cornwell and Operational Director and Associate Teaching Professor Yoav Dubinsky served on the conference's organizing and leadership committee and participated as presenters and session chairs, collaborating and connecting with Olympic Studies and Research Centers from around the world.
"Our role with this network of centers further positions the University of Oregon as a national and an international leader in this space," said Cornwell.
"This week wouldn't be possible without the collaboration of students, faculty, and partners across campus and through the Olympic Studies and Research network," said Dubinsky. "Together, we continue to showcase the University of Oregon as a leading home for Olympic studies and research, connecting scholarship, education, and the real-world impact of the Olympic Movement. Thank you to all those who made the week successful and meaningful to our campus and community."
—Lundquist College Communications