Laid-Off Washington Post Writers Cover Final Olympics with Unwavering Spirit
A pair of Washington Post sports writers are reporting for the newspaper for the final time from the Winter Olympics, despite being laid off, stating it was crucial to be present. Andrew Dampf reported on Saturday, 14 February 2026, that these journalists are fulfilling their duties with dedication amidst job cuts.
Commitment Amidst Layoffs
Washington Post columnist Barry Svrluga was covering his first Winter Olympics when Lindsey Vonn left her hospital bed after a crash and returned to compete days later at the 2006 Turin Games. Two decades later, he is back in Italy at the Milan Cortina Games, writing about Vonn's subsequent hospitalisation following another crash, even as he faces job loss.
The Post announced two days before the Olympics opened last week that it was eliminating its sports section while laying off a third of its staff. Svrluga revealed that the newspaper originally planned to send 14 staff members to these Games. With air tickets and accommodation already paid for, Svrluga is one of four journalists who decided to attend: he is in Cortina, Rick Maese in Bormio, and Les Carpenter and national staffer Robert Samuels in Milan.
"They can take away our section," Svrluga said, "but in a way, they can't take away our spirit." Of the four, Svrluga and Carpenter are being laid off, yet they came to their final assignment regardless.
Personal Connections and Professional Dedication
"I wanted to be occupied," said Svrluga, who is at his 12th Games. "I love covering the Olympics. I had Lindsey injured in Sestriere and then had her gold in Vancouver 2010, and I've had every one of her Olympic races, whether successes or not. Same with Mikaela Shiffrin."
The first Olympics Svrluga worked at was the 2004 Athens Summer Games, where he was immediately struck by the collaborative spirit among colleagues. "It felt like a team sport for us, benefiting the section and the paper," he noted. "What we're trying to do here is remind people—readers and decision makers—that these are committed individuals acting for the right reasons."
Carpenter, the Post's Olympics writer at his eighth Games, has been covering figure skating, speedskating, and hockey. "The Post sports department always had a great connection with its readers. I felt I had to stay to tell this Olympics' story for them," he said. "It's what I'd want as a reader. If this is the end for Post sports, let's give our most loyal readers our best."
Trust and Personal Stories
Shiffrin trusted Svrluga with personal news before the Games. An extensive pre-Games interview with Shiffrin and her mother and coach, Eileen, revealed why Eileen was absent at the start of the World Cup season: she had been diagnosed with cancer and faced six weeks of treatments.
"This was a very personal situation," Svrluga said. "I'm thankful they trusted me with the information. It's their story to tell."
Industry Challenges and Reader Impact
Staff reductions across the industry have led to fewer American reporters at events like the Olympics. "That's tragic for readers," Svrluga remarked, noting the extra space in interview areas at finish lines is "great for logistics and sad for the business."
Some individuals Svrluga has reported on have reached out after hearing about the Post's cuts, both at the Olympics and back in Washington. "People who have won World Series, people who own teams. I've been there 22 years, building relationships over time," he said. "It's still a human element. I've heard from more people than I can count."
However, Svrluga added, "You don't want to be the story. You want to cover the story." The Post's executive editor, Matt Murray, called the layoffs painful but necessary.
Reflections on Journalism's Future
"You could argue maybe we're in this position because we didn't adapt or see what's coming next," Svrluga said. "It's obvious people get their news in different ways now. I'm 'old school' in one regard. I hope younger journalists figure out whatever's next, ideally including written storytelling, which I love to do."
A Final Farewell
Eliminating the Post sports section was a significant blow, as it has hosted renowned bylines like John Feinstein and Michael Wilbon. Svrluga's final column from these Games will mark his last story for the Post. In the meantime, he aims to enjoy the Olympics and Italy more than usual.
"The red wine," he said, "will flow."
