The Olympic Flame Burns Again in Milan
While we tie the laces of our salsa shoes here in the dance studio, we keep a side eye on the Winter Games in Milan. The 2026 Olympic Winter Games officially began on Friday, February 6, and emotions are already bursting forth. Not just on the ice, but especially off it as well. As an experienced dance expert with over 30 years of experience, I know better than anyone: preparing for a major performance – whether it's a Salsa World Championship or the 5-kilometer speed skating – is about more than just physical strength. It's in your head, and the smallest details can make or break your focus.
Marcel Bosker's Helmet: More Than Just a Color
The talk of the town in the skating world is undoubtedly Marcel Bosker. The 29-year-old skater, who is skating the 5 kilometers on Sunday, February 8, in the Fiera Milano, expressed his frustration over a promised 'Olympic helmet'. Bosker is the only Dutchman who skates with a helmet by default, and the skating association KNSB had promised him that a special version with the Olympic rings would be provided. However, last week he was told that this was not happening. In a fit of rage, he gave the association a 'big middle finger' in the media.
In an article from the AD, Bosker says he feels overlooked. Although he later apologized for the fierce wording, I understand his frustration quite well. In the dance world, we call this a 'costume drama'. Imagine training for months for a show, counting on that one specific pair of shoes or that unique outfit that gives you confidence, and at the last moment, it's canceled. That does something to your mental preparation.
When Details Go Against You: From Soft Ice to Forbidden Music
Bosker is not the only one running into hurdles in Milan. Kjeld Nuis, our three-time Olympic champion, also spoke critically about the conditions. After his first training on the temporary track, he was anything but satisfied with the ice quality. "It's really very soft," said Nuis. He even called it 'crap ice', comparable to the difficult start in Beijing four years ago. For a skater who depends on gliding ability and precision, soft ice is a nightmare.
This reminds me of dance floors that are too grippy or so slippery that you can hardly turn. You adjust your technique, but it takes you out of your natural flow. According to reporting by NU.nl, the organization is still trying to improve the ice surface before the start of the official competitions, but the uncertainty has already set in for the athletes.
The Minion Controversy: Why Music Choice is Sacred
Another striking story comes from figure skating. Spanish figure skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabaté was told just before the Games that he was not allowed to perform his short program to music from the Minions films due to copyright. For an artist, music is the soul of the performance. If you have to change that, you change the entire choreography, the timing, and the experience.
Fortunately, there is good news: Universal Studios has reversed the decision after a wave of support on social media. Sabaté is allowed to show his Minion act on February 10 as planned. In the dance world, we often see this too; music licenses are a minefield, but without the right music, you simply cannot convey the passion of your dance to the jury.
What We as Dancers Can Learn From the Skating World
What can we as dancers take away from this Olympic hecticness? Specifically, it's about resilience. Marcel Bosker's reaction – first anger, then reflection and apologies – shows how high the tension rises when you go for the highest possible goal. In my 30 years of experience, I have seen that the best dancers are not necessarily those with the best technique, but those who remain the calmest when their heel breaks or the music falters.
- Focus on what you can control: Bosker is now skating with a neutral white helmet. It's not the helmet he wanted, but he is there.
- Accept the circumstances: Just as Nuis has to deal with soft ice, we sometimes have to deal with a cramped dance floor or a poor sound system.
- Stay professional: Emotions are part of passion, but offering your apologies and regrouping shows a true champion's mentality.
The Olympic Winter Games in Milan last until February 22. While the skaters compete for gold, they remind us that top-level sport – just like dancing – is 90% mental. Of you now wear a helmet with rings or a simple white one, in the end, it's about that one race, that one dance, and the fact that you are there when it matters most.