Stefania Constantini, known as 'Stefi' in her hometown of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, is a prominent figure at the 2026 Winter Olympics, defending her gold medal from the 2022 Beijing Games. She grew up in Cortina, where she played in her childhood home and trained at the local arena now hosting the Olympic curling championships. Constantini is celebrated as Italy’s top athlete, having won gold, silver, and bronze medals in international curling competitions, and she captains the national women’s team. Her local community regards her as a hero, with a pizza named after her and a personalized cake from her boyfriend. Despite some controversy over team substitutions before the Olympics, she remains a beloved figure. The 2026 Games are hosted in her hometown, adding to her significance as a hometown hero. Meanwhile, the sport of curling is gaining attention at the Olympics. It involves sliding granite stones down ice towards a target, with players using brushes to control the stone’s path. Olympic curling includes men's, women's, and mixed events, with strategies such as guarding, drawing, and taking out stones. Teams of four (men’s and women’s) and two (mixed) compete in matches that last about two hours, aiming to have stones closest to the center of the house. The game involves tactical decisions, including who has the 'hammer' to throw the last stone, and features specialized roles like the skip and sweepers. Scotland is renowned for its curling expertise, supported by extensive ice rink facilities and a high-performance training academy. The 2026 Olympics also showcase innovative equipment, such as electronic handles for curling stones, which have become popular at the Milano Cortina Games, enhancing precision and spectator engagement. Overall, the event highlights both the sport’s strategic depth and the inspiring stories of athletes like Constantini, who embody the local and national pride associated with Olympic competition.