We’re witnessing the most Gen Z Olympics yet. This year’s Games are defined not just by athletic excellence but by a cultural shift led by a new generation of athletes who are unapologetically themselves, unafraid to speak their minds, and deeply connected to the digital and social currents shaping their world. Take Norway’s Sturla Holm Lægreid, who won bronze in the men’s biathlon. Instead of focusing on his performance, he opened up during a post-race interview about cheating on his ex-girlfriend. “I told her a week ago. And it’s been the worst week of my life,” he said, adding he wished he could share the moment with her. While the comments sparked controversy, they also highlighted a Gen Z tendency toward raw honesty—blending vulnerability with a lack of filter. Lægreid later apologized through the Norwegian Olympic team, acknowledging the inappropriateness of the moment, but the incident underscored how personal and emotional these athletes are willing to be in public. The Gen Z influence is especially visible in Team USA. The median age of the team is around 28, but in sports like figure skating and snowboarding, it’s closer to 23. Athletes like 21-year-old Ilia Malinin, known as the “Quad God” for his incredible jump skills, embody the Gen Z aesthetic and attitude. His name even echoes a character from “Heated Rivalry,” a popular gay hockey romance show among younger audiences. Then there’s Alysa Liu, whose skunk stripe hair, tooth gems, and frenulum piercing make her a standout figure of the alt-girl revival. At 20, she’s not just a competitor—she’s a cultural icon for a generation that values individuality and self-expression. Amber Glenn, 26, represents another Gen Z trend: late blooming. She’s making her Olympic debut at an age when most female figure skaters have already retired. Glenn, who is openly pansexual, used her platform to speak out against discrimination under the Trump administration, saying, “I hope that I can use my platform and my voice throughout these Games to try to encourage people to stay strong.” Her teammates aren’t shy either. At a press conference, Glenn addressed the turmoil around ICE raids, saying, “I’m not the biggest fan of what’s going on, and I think a lot of people aren’t.” Meanwhile, U.S. ski team member Hunter Hess, 27, shared his conflicted feelings about representing the U.S. while such policies are in place: “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.” AI is also making its mark. A Czech ice dance pair, both in their early twenties, used a rhythm dance routine set to music that was half AI-generated. They’ve used AI music before, showing they’re comfortable with emerging tech—proof that Gen Z athletes are not only consumers of AI but creators and innovators. This isn’t just a Games of medals—it’s a cultural moment. Gen Z is reshaping the Olympics, bringing authenticity, activism, and digital fluency to the world stage. And if this is the Gen Z Olympics, just imagine what the Gen Alpha Games will bring.