Daily Herald opinion: Going for gold: Olympic athletes who got their start here are bringing pride to the suburbs

If we are done dissecting Sunday’s Bad Bunny halftime show at the Super Bowl, perhaps we can ditch the debate and turn our attention to the incredible feats at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Yes, those too have been tinged occasionally with politics. But setting that aside, there’s something unifying about seeing proud athletes wrapped in the American flag as they represent Team USA. And among those in Milan are local athletes who are making the suburbs proud as the Games go into their second week.

Already winning gold is Gurnee native Danny O’Shea, a St. Viator High School alum who with his figure-skating pairs partner Ellie Kam helped the U.S. claim the top spot in team competition.

On Sunday, two suburban speed skaters will hit the ice.

Sarah Warren, a native of Willowbrook, endured 10 surgeries over the years to make her Olympic debut in the women’s long-track 500 meters.

Making a repeat Olympic run is Ethan Cepuran of Glen Ellyn. He won bronze four years ago in Beijing as part of a team that also included Oak Park’s Emery Lehman. They will compete again Sunday for the men’s team pursuit preliminaries — eight laps, 3,200 meters — hoping to secure a spot in the semifinals and finals.

Cepuran qualified in the 16-lap, 6,400-meter men’s mass start event as well.

Also making waves on the ice are suburban natives playing women’s hockey for Team USA.

Abbey Murphy of Evergreen Park is doing well in her second Olympics. She played an important role in dealing Canada its first shutout loss in Olympic history this week and scored a goal in her team’s 5-0 victory over Finland. She won silver four years ago.

Competing with her once again is hockey great Kendall Coyne Schofield of Palos Heights, now in her fourth Olympic run. She already has three Olympic medals, winning gold in 2018 and silver in 2014 and 2022. And she has a chance for another as the team advances and plays again today.

Earlier this week, Kevin Bickner, a Wauconda native competing in his third Winter Olympics in ski jumping, was unable to reach the final round of the normal hill competition. But he is scheduled to compete in the large hill ski jump on Saturday.

Different roads brought all of these suburban Olympians to Milan. Some already know the emotion of standing atop the podium; others will go home perhaps without the medal they so long dreamed of. Still, the talent, drive and hard work it takes to make an Olympic team — let alone soar through the air on a dangerous ski jump or glide across the ice with speed and beauty — have given them an opportunity so few in this world get to share.

They are among the best of the best, and we watch them from afar with a mix of awe and pride.

Thanks for the thrills. We’re cheering for all of you.