Looking Back at the Olympics: If All the World Is a Stage, We Are All Acting Together
By Frank D’Agostino
Why would this columnist in Palm Beach, write this month’s article on the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics? Well for starters, having been a former figure skater and coach, most people don’t know that the Palm Beaches and surrounding areas have four international / Olympic training centers several of which I have coached skaters from all over the world within a 30 mile radius. Two rinks in the Palm beach area, a massive facility in Boca and a new facility with twin rinks in Fort Lauderdale. We virtually have coaches and skater training right before us from all over the world, in our “Pink Paradise” of Palm Beach.
So clearly the Palm Beaches are not only attractive to live in and conduct business in, but also to the world of figure skating. At first glance, Milan and Palm Beach couldn’t feel more different — one rooted in European history and fashion houses, the other defined by ocean breezes and tropical ease. But look closer, and the similarities emerge. Both are global stages of style. Both celebrate design, culture, and a refined way of life and sports. Like the Olympics, they remind us that while presentation may differ, the essence is shared.
With my background in figure skating I attended all of the figure skating events in Milan, I was there for the emotional moment when Team USA won the team gold medal in figure skating. The athletes who contributed to the team gold were: Ilia Malinin (men’s singles), Alysa Liu (women’s singles), Amber Glenn (women’s singles segment), Madison Chock and Evan Bates (ice dance), Ellie Kam and Daniel O’Shea (pairs).
I was also was there for one of the most Iconic woman’s free skates in recent Olympic history. The moment that pure joy and electricity filled the arena when American Alysa Liu, with delight and bliss, skated her iconic free skate to the first United States gold medal in figure skating in over 24 years. What a moment! In addition, I witnessed more history as one of my idols and good acquaintance: The iconic, revered, legendary Tenley Albright, the 1956 Cortina Olympic ladies figure skating champion, celebrated her 70th anniversary of Olympic gold and witnessed Alysa Liu win her gold medal for the United States 70 years later. What a moment in time. The passing of the torch!
In all things business, sports, friendships, life is about connections. I have been the creator of a Broadway musical Called Ice Champion, the musical (icechmapion.net). Coincidentally, I have done backers and concert version in Palm Beach. The musical on ice captures all the joy heartbreak and drama that all of our readers witnessed in February about figure skating which they saw on TV. I connected with my friends who are figure skaters, coaches and agents. My good friend who has done promotion for Ice Champion was there with me. Tara Modlin-Maurizi she is a prominent figure skating agent and the founder/president of Fireworks Sports Marketing. She sums up the feeling of figure skating and the Olympics statement below:
“Being an agent at the Olympics is honestly unlike anything else — it’s equal parts adrenaline, pride, and pure chaos in the best way. You’re not just watching history; you’re helping shape it behind the scenes for people you truly believe in. Milan felt electric, stylish, fast-paced, and deeply emotional. There’s something about seeing your athletes walk into a city like that, knowing everything they’ve sacrificed, that just hits differently. It’s exhausting, exhilarating, and completely addictive in every possible way!”
She also is the agent to the gold medalist team event, pair team, Ellie Kam and Daniel O’Shea.
Think about the Olympics: Over 200 nations, different cultures, different beliefs — yet for those two weeks, the world doesn’t feel divided. Just like the Palm Beaches a melting pot of the world where the universe feels connected. Because underneath the flags and anthems, the fashion the scenery the history every athlete ever person is driven by the same hope — to strive, to succeed, to be seen.
The Olympics remind us of something simple but powerful: We may wear different colors, have different backgrounds and beliefs but we all carry the same human spirit.
In a world that often focuses on differences, the Olympics quietly prove the opposite — that unity is possible, that competition doesn’t have to divide us, and that humanity is shared across every border.
Vetted Hamptons Resources
