54-Year-Old Curler Rich Ruohonen Becomes Oldest US Winter Olympian in Losing Game Against Switzerland

HuffPost Center-Left

This U.S. Winter Olympian Just Broke A Record That Stood For 90-Plus Years

7d ago

Bias Score

28%

Headline Bait

42%

Emphasizes both the record and the political controversy. Uses phrase "Trump administration's deadly immigration crackdown" and notes "Members of Team USA have continued to face fury from President Donald Trump and his pals." Characterizes enforcement as "deadly" and "aggressive" — accurate given the deaths, but word choices signal editorial stance.

Loaded LanguageNarrative FramingSelective Omission

“Ruohonen made waves earlier this week when he addressed the Trump administration's deadly immigration crackdown in Minnesota”

“Members of Team USA have continued to face fury from President Donald Trump and his pals for speaking out on politics at the games.”

CNN Center-Left

US curler Rich Ruohonen's long, winding road to the Olympic Games | CNN

By Dana O’Neil · 7d ago

Bias Score

25%

Headline Bait

35%

Only outlet to lead with Ruohonen's ICE criticism and provide full context including the deaths of two US citizens. Includes video segment titled "Team USA curler criticizes ICE operations in Minnesota." The political framing is prominent but factual. Sports achievement presented alongside advocacy, not instead of it.

Narrative FramingSource Selection Bias

“Stressing that he was proud to represent the United States and loved his country, he added that he wasn't happy with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minneapolis.”

“What's happening in Minnesota is wrong. There's no shades of grey. It's clear.”

USA Today Center-Left

Oldest American Olympian in Winter Games, 54, makes historic debut

7d ago

Bias Score

22%

Headline Bait

18%

Mentions ICE criticism but with less detail than CNN/HuffPost. Includes Ruohonen's full constitutional argument quote. Frames it as "made headlines" rather than leading with political angle. Balanced presentation of both sports achievement and advocacy.

Narrative Framing

“This isn't the first time the curler's name has been in the spotlight during the Winter Games. Ruohonen made headlines on Feb. 10 when he called out the ICE raids in Minnesota.”

“What's happening in Minnesota is wrong. There's no shades of grey. It's clear.”

The New York Times Center

Curler Rich Ruohonen, 54, becomes oldest American to compete at Winter Olympics

By Zack Pierce · 7d ago

Bias Score

18%

Headline Bait

10%

Includes political context with more care than most outlets. Mentions Ruohonen's comments and notes federal agents "fatally shot two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis" but doesn't use loaded terms like "deadly crackdown." Balances sports story with relevant political context using neutral language. Most complete factual account.

Narrative Framing

“Though he did not mention specifics, he appeared to be alluding to actions of the Department of Homeland Security, which has sent thousands of armed agents to Minnesota”

“Federal agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January.”

Los Angeles Times Center

Attorney Rich Ruohonen becomes oldest American Olympian amid a senior wave in Italy

7d ago

Bias Score

15%

Headline Bait

22%

Original reporting that contextualizes Ruohonen within broader trend of older Olympians. Mentions Lindsey Vonn's crash and other 40+ athletes. Neutral tone throughout with focus on athletic achievement and age defying odds. Omits political statements entirely, but provides richer sports context than wire services.

Selective OmissionNarrative Framing

“At 54, curler Rich Ruohonen thought his Olympic dream had passed him by. Which was a pretty good bet since no American his age had ever competed in the Winter Games.”

“When I come here to the Olympics at 44, no one expects me to win or do that well, so it takes the pressure away and I just go out there and I do everything I can.”

Chicago Tribune Center

A 54-year-old personal injury lawyer from Minnesota becomes the oldest US Winter Olympian

By Julia Frankel · 7d ago

Bias Score

12%

Headline Bait

18%

Straightforward AP wire coverage focusing on the human interest angle. Minimal framing beyond describing the scene and Ruohonen's journey. Entirely omits his political statements about Minnesota ICE operations. The omission appears editorial rather than spin — a choice to stay with the sports story.

Selective Omission

“The stakes were low -- and the time ripe -- for a 54-year-old personal injury lawyer and six-time winner of Minnesota Attorney of the Year to make Olympic history.”

“I came from the days when guys were smoking cigarettes out on the ice and all we did was throw rocks and think that we could be better.”

New York Post Center

How a 54-year-old lawyer just made US Olympic history

7d ago

Bias Score

12%

Headline Bait

25%

Straightforward sports reporting focused on the age record and path to the Olympics. Includes background on Guillain-Barré syndrome and team dynamics. No political content. Clean chronological narrative without editorial framing.

Selective Omission

“It's a success story that almost didn't happen, as Ruohonen initially stopped competing following his 2022 miss”

“Casper and his team were able to talk Ruohonen back into competition after Ruohonen had planned to join the senior tour.”

Daily Mail Center

A 54-year-old personal injury lawyer from Minnesota becomes the...

7d ago

Bias Score

10%

Headline Bait

20%

Reprints the same AP wire story as US News and Chicago Tribune with no original reporting or added framing. Standard wire service coverage focused on sports angle. No political content included.

Selective Omission

“Yeah baby! Good shot, Rich!”

“It's because of the younger teammates that Ruohonen has finally gotten his Olympic moment after falling just short on several occasions.”

Newsweek Center

54-year-old olympian makes history for United States

7d ago

Bias Score

10%

Headline Bait

15%

Sports-focused coverage emphasizing perseverance narrative. No mention of political statements. Clean reporting on the historic achievement with focus on journey and determination. Standard human interest angle without editorial framing.

Selective Omission

“Ruohonen's story is special and one defined by perseverance and determination.”

“He spent more than 20 years grinding through Olympic trials and was in contention for five consecutive trials from 2006 to 2022, yet he never managed to secure a spot.”

U.S. News & World Report Center

A 54-Year-Old Personal Injury Lawyer From Minnesota Becomes the Oldest US Winter Olympian

By Associated Press · 7d ago

Bias Score

10%

Headline Bait

15%

Wire service coverage virtually identical to Chicago Tribune, with same structure and quotes. Clean, fact-focused reporting with no political framing. Omits Ruohonen's ICE statements but this appears consistent with wire service focus on sports story rather than bias.

Selective Omission

“I would have rather done it when we were up 8-2 instead of down 8-2, but I really appreciate the guys giving me a chance.”

“Look at these guys. Every one of them's ripped and every one of the sweeps their butt off.”

The Independent Center

Lawyer makes history as team's oldest-ever Winter Olympian

7d ago

Bias Score

Headline Bait

12%

Extremely brief, factual summary with no political content or editorial framing. Bare-bones reporting of the historic achievement. No loaded language or narrative choices beyond stating facts. Shortest article by far.

“He debuted as an alternate in Thursday's curling match against Switzerland, which the USA lost 8-3.”

“His Olympic debut marks the culmination of a 38-year pursuit, having first attempted to qualify for the Games in 1988.”

54-Year-Old Curler Rich Ruohonen Becomes Oldest US Winter Olympian in Losing Game Against Switzerland

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