CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – USA luger Sophia Kirkby has one question for the people of Cortina: Who wants to date any Olympian?
The 24-year-old from Lake Placid, New York, isn’t picky. She’s open to sip cappuccinos with fans. She’s down to swig Aperol spritzes with fellow athletes. Though, her area of the Olympic Village isn’t exactly teeming with eligible bachelors.
“It’ll be luge – and I already know all those weirdos – bobsled, skeleton, and I think curling,” she told USA Today. “I could be wrong, but I’m just thinking that they’re a bunch of dads.”
Kirkby is making her Olympic debut in a brand new event: Women’s double luge. Once she and partner Chevonne Forgan finish competing Feb. 11, Kirkby will open up her heart and her dating app profiles. She hopes the following two weeks will provide “crazy stories” to document via journaling and social media posting.
“My married women, my girl friends and my fellow single ladies, I will be there for them to live vicariously through me. Because I, too, am curious. How does an Olympian date?”
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Before arriving in Cortina, Kirkby said, dating as an Olympian hasn’t been as glamorous as she imagined. Boys are still “silly” over chats. Still untoward. Still only after one thing.
“They’re just, like, right to it,” she said. “And I’m open to almost right to it, but like, maybe let’s get a coffee. I want to make sure that you’re not a total freak.
“I think I have this golden card. I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m going to the Olympics.’ Doesn’t matter. Doesn’t matter. They’re still acting the same way.’
Hopefully Valentine’s Day in Italy will bring more luck. Or, at least entertainment for her thousands of Instagram followers.
In addition to writing about her first Olympic experience in a sparkly gold notebook, Kirkby will keep social media abreast to everything she’s got going on. Profile pictures and ages will be redacted. Some names, too. But screenshots will make their way onto the internet.
Fellas, you have been warned.
“Alright, ladies,” she’ll say to followers, “this is what Kevin said.”
Or, ‘Oh my god, look what Dave said. Who would say this? Why does he think that this would be a good idea?”
Kirkby said her teammates shared some Tinder hacks before the Games. Open the app near the Olympic Village to see all the athletes pop up. Purchase the “Passport Mode” feature to set your location to any place you want.
When in Italy. At the Olympics. In February of all months. Perhaps Venus, the goddess of love, will help her find romance in the crisp, thin mountain air.
Reach USA TODAY Network sports reporter Payton Titus at ptitus@gannett.com, and follow her on X @petitus25.