The Olympics exists as many different things to many different people. Some see it simply as a platform for the world’s premier athletes to compete for the title of “the greatest.” Others see it as a parade of nations and globalism, an inclusive event more than a competitive one.
While the myriad interpretations are all valid, it should come as little surprise that the athletes themselves see the Olympics as their platform to perform their very best in pursuit of victory. So when U.S.-born Elizabeth Swaney competed in the halfpipe under the Hungarian banner, it wasn’t hard to see why her performance, and inclusion in the Olympics altogether, provoked outrage from her fellow competitors.
The 33-year-old from Harvard is by no means a bad skier. In fact, tackling the halfpipe and getting air at all is a truly impressive feat ... just not Olympic-caliber. Go to Vail or Jackson Hole and you’d likely see tourists pulling off more complex tricks.
This footage of her run, which included zero tricks and led to an unsurprising last-place finish.
So how did a clearly-outclassed skier make it to the Olympics?
Well, just by showing up at qualifying events prior to the games, actually. According to a USA Today examination, the Olympics aggregate top-30 finishes for the purposes of consideration, and Swaney’s persistence in attending events saw her accumulate top-30 finishes, often by virtue of the fact that the events themselves didn’t have 30 participants. Though she was frequently outskied, her rank would climb even higher when competitors would regularly crash, allowing her to climb up the rankings.
Unable to claim a spot on the far more competitive United States team, she used her Hungarian ancestry to compete for that nation.
Swaney had trained intensely in freestyle skiing but struggled to show proficiency in her Olympic halfpipe event. She said to Reuters of her now-viral run:
I didn't qualify for the finals, so I'm really disappointed with that. But I worked really hard for several years to achieve this. I have been focusing on my Olympic experience but also on the halfpipe here and trying to go higher each time and getting more spins in.
The controversy that surrounds her performance divides fans, athletes, and the media as to whether her performance was a slap in the face to the spirit of the games, or the perfect testament to it.
In addition to the consideration that she bumped surely more deserving athletes in some capacity (though in a legal fashion), fans traveled far to see the best in the world compete, and it was clear that Swaney was not among them, but competed nonetheless.
Her competitors, speaking anonymously to the Denver Post, were similarly conflicted, with the paper reporting that some took no issue with the legal avenues she took to get to Pyeongchang, but thought her presence undermined the Olympics role as a world class showcase.
At the very least, it gave us all some perspective on how difficult the halfpipe is for a non-elite skier.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.