On February 6, 2026, the world once again turns its attention to snow-covered peaks, frozen rinks, and feats of athletic brilliance as the Winter Olympics begin. This year the games unfold across multiple regions of northern Italy, where historic alpine venues set the stage for modern competition. From high speed descents to the elegance of figure skating, the games have always been about more than medals, they’re about moments that lodge themselves in our collective memory.
That kind of cultural impact feels especially familiar to fans of The Ed Sullivan Show, a program that, for decades, served as America’s front-row seat to history in the making, whether that history came in the form of music, comedy, or world-class athletic performance.
The first Winter Olympic Games were held in 1924 in Chamonix, France, bringing together athletes from 16 nations to compete in cold-weather sports that had long thrived in northern climates. What began as a modest international gathering quickly evolved into one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.
Over the decades, the Winter Games have mirrored the world itself, growing in scale, expanding in global reach, and introducing new sports while preserving beloved traditions. Figure skating, in particular, has remained one of the Olympics’ crown jewels, blending athleticism with artistry in a way few other sports can.
Long before viral clips and instant replays, Olympic figure skaters became household names through television, and The Ed Sullivan Show was one of the most influential stages of the era. While Ed Sullivan was best known for introducing groundbreaking musical and cultural moments, he also welcomed Olympic champions into America’s living room, offering audiences a rare opportunity to see not just competition, but personality and showmanship. One memorable example came in 1957, when Sullivan introduced viewers to the Ski Captains of the American Ski Team, transforming his set into a ski slope as the athletes skied down onto the Sullivan stage; an ambitious and imaginative feat for television at the time. Figure skating, too, was featured over the years, and among the most memorable skaters to appear on the program were Dick Button and Ronnie Robertson.
In 1958, Sullivan featured Button skating at Rockefeller Center, introducing both the athlete and his extraordinary talents to a national television audience. Dick Button wasn’t just a champion, he was a pioneer. A two-time Olympic gold medalist (1948, 1952), Button revolutionized figure skating by introducing jumps and techniques never before seen in competition. His athleticism and innovation helped redefine what the sport could be, setting a new standard for generations of skaters to come.
When Button appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, audiences saw a skater who embodied the Olympic spirit and showmanship in its purest form. Dressed in a bright yellow outfit and skating with unmistakable flair, Button was disciplined and undeniably charismatic. His performances bridged the gap between sport and entertainment, proving that figure skating belonged as much on the television stage as it did on Olympic ice.
The Winter Olympics have always been about excellence, but The Ed Sullivan Show helped turn excellence into legacy. By welcoming Olympic athletes like Button and Robertson onto its stage, the show preserved moments that might otherwise have faded with time.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics begin, we’re reminded that while venues change and generations pass, the magic remains the same. It lives in daring jumps, graceful spins, and in the rare moments when sport and culture meet under the bright lights, creating memories that last far longer than the games themselves.
Just as Ed Sullivan did, we’ll be watching.