Olympians had to pronounce their own names for the Olympics website and people can't get enough
Feb 14, 2026
With athletes from all around the world competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics, pronouncing their names can get a little tricky at times. Luckily, the official Olympics website has a handy way to help you make sure you’re not butchering anyone’s moniker.
Before the games began, athletes record
ed the proper pronunciation of their names. Now, visitors to the official Olympics website can visit each athlete’s biography and click on their name to hear it out loud.
The Olympics even shared a video rounding up some of the athletes teaching fans how to say their names.
Over the last few days, the recordings have gone viral on social media, with many people sharing their own video mashups featuring different athletes pronouncing their names.
For instance, TikTok user @melissaontherecord had a bit of fun and added commentary and emojis to some of the athletes’ recordings.
When cross-country skier Andrew Musgrave sped through his name, the TikTok user added a runner emoji to the video.
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The TikTok user added a frustrated gif and the word “How?” when Australian snowboarder Cameron Bolton shared an unconventional pronunciation of his name. Several commenters also got a kick out of it, with one commenting, “So glad Cameroni Baltoni translated his name into Italian.” Another wrote, “Cameroni has me in genuine tears.”
TikTok user @lovingwallows also shared a compilation of the athletes’ recordings and added the following caption to the first few: “pronouncing their names totally normal.”
In response to Macklin Celebrini’s pronounciation, the TikTok user wrote, “add some character to it.”
Canadian ice hockey player Emma Maltais’ pronunciation is also getting a round of applause from the internet, with comments zeroing in on how differently she says it each time.
Other recordings also catch technical difficulties, like American hockey player Grace Zumwinkle letting out a big laugh before saying her name.
This isn’t a new feature for the Olympics. The 2026 Games have inspired social media users to find their favorite athlete name pronunciations from past games.
There have been plenty of other standout moments from the Winter Olympics in the last week.
Team Canada figure skater Madeline Schizas made headlines for emailing her professor to ask for an extension on an assignment. While preparing to compete, the McMaster University senior mixed up the deadline and explained the situation to her professor. To her delight, he granted the extension.
Norway’s Sturla Holm Lægreid also made jaws drop when he made a shocking confession after taking home a bronze medal in the 20 km biathlon. The athlete revealed that he had cheated on his girlfriend three weeks ago and told her a week ago.
“My only path to the finish line is to tell her everything and put it all on the table, and hope that she’ll still love me. I’ve done that for her, and now for the entire world. I’ve nothing to lose,” he said.
This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:
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