Minnesota curler and lawyer Rich Ruohonen criticizes state’s legal rights enforcement

Senior Reporter Spotlight: Rich Ruohonen Celebrates America’s Presence at the Winter Olympics

Two-time national curling champion and lawyer, Rich Ruohonen, expressed his pride to represent the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. Despite a backdrop of recent troubles within his home state of Minnesota, Ruohonen remains committed to the Games.

Ruohonen, who has spent over two decades as an attorney in Minnesota, noted that times have been tough: “We’ve experienced significant tragedy and adversity.” Yet, he emphasized their focus on the international stage. “I know it’s not fair what’s happening right now in our home state, but we’re here to represent America.”

The 54-year-old Ruohonen is also the oldest American ever to compete at a Winter Olympics, adding an extra layer of significance to his participation.

“Despite everything that has been going on back home, the Olympics serves as a testament to what it means to be both Minnesotan and American,” he said. “I’m proud to represent our country in such a special way.”

Ruohonen’s optimism is shared by other members of Team USA, including Luc Violette, a member of the National Curling Team. “USA is everywhere,” Violette noted. “Everyone here feels very welcome and included, and we hope this exposure will share the love for our sport with many others.”

On Tuesday during the mixed doubles event, Corey Thiesse clinched gold for the United States alongside Korey Dropkin, making her the first-ever American female curler to win an Olympic medal in the sport. For Ruohonen, who has spent decades honing his skills and understanding of this particular discipline, it’s a personal achievement: “Curling has come so far since I started playing. Thirty years ago, it wasn’t as physically demanding; now it requires such strength and agility.”

Ruohonen highlighted the multifaceted skill set needed to excel in curling: “You need to be strong, have good upper body muscles, a solid pair of legs, and you’re constantly sliding around on your tippy toes. The intensity of playing two games back-to-back is exhausting.” He further emphasized the importance of explaining curling’s nuances to spectators, saying, “I usually compare it to bocce ball.”

Violette added, “It’s hard, but once you get a hang of sweeping and understanding how stones move, there are so many beautiful aspects to this sport. I hope more people will be inspired to give it a try.”

For Ruohonen, the Olympics serve as an opportunity to highlight not only his personal journey but also underscore America’s diverse talents that can bring unity and compassion to global events.

In an ever-changing world where sports often mirror social issues back home, Team USA continues to embody resilience and dedication—demonstrating how a sport like curling can transcend borders while standing in solidarity with its country.