In a historic moment at the Winter Olympics, Rich Ruohonen, a 54-year-old American curler and personal injury attorney from Minnesota, has officially become the oldest athlete ever to represent the United States at the Winter Games. This remarkable achievement occurred on Thursday during the U.S. men's curling team's preliminary round match against Switzerland, where Ruohonen served as an alternate and was brought into the game late.
A Record-Breaking Debut
Ruohonen's participation shattered a long-standing record previously held by American figure skater Joseph Savage, who was 52 years old when he competed at the 1932 Lake Placid Games. The U.S. team ultimately conceded to Switzerland after trailing 8-3 through eight ends, but the focus remained on Ruohonen's personal milestone. The American men's squad is set to return to the ice early Friday morning Eastern Time for a highly anticipated rivalry showdown against Team Canada.
Decades of Persistence Pay Off
Reflecting on his journey, Ruohonen shared that he had tried to qualify for the 1988 Calgary Games when curling was merely a trial sport, experiencing "so much heartbreak" over the decades as he narrowly missed out on Olympic selection multiple times. "I would have rather done it when we were up 8-2 instead of down 8-2. I really appreciate the guys giving me a chance," he told reporters, adding, "It was an awesome moment for me even in a loss. I can't believe the dream came true. My family was there, and they were screaming and yelling."
Beyond the Ice: Attorney and Advocate
Outside of curling, Ruohonen is a distinguished lawyer in Minnesota, having earned several "Attorney of the Year" honors in the state. According to a profile in The Wall Street Journal, he has made a statement at the games by wearing a T-shirt that humorously reminds the Olympic community he is "not the dad" and "not the coach." His outspoken nature extends to political matters, as he recently addressed the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Minnesota, emphasizing constitutional rights. "We have a constitution, and it allows us freedom of speech," Ruohonen stated earlier this week, criticizing the enforcement actions as "wrong" with "no shades of grey."
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss to Switzerland, Ruohonen's historic debut marks a triumphant culmination of years of dedication to the sport. As Team USA prepares for future matches, his story serves as an inspiration, highlighting the perseverance required to achieve Olympic dreams later in life. The curling community and fans worldwide are now watching closely as this record-setting athlete continues his journey on the international stage.
