The 2026 Winter Olympics have been the talk of the town in the sports world of late. Taking place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, the global event features 16 sports disciplines, including Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Curling, Figure, Luge, and the newly introduced Ski Mountaineering.
The excitement around Milano Cortina 2026 seems to have also caught the attention of four-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal . The retired center was in attendance as the ambassador for the Team USA Athlete Recovery Program in partnership with Lilly.
Recently, appearing on "Today," O'Neal shared his experience so far attending the international sports extravaganza in Milan, and which sport brought out his competitive side.
"Milan has been very nice, and the people have been very hospitable. I'm walking everywhere, some people recognize me as the world's greatest curler, and some people have no idea who I am," said Shaq, laughing.
When asked which winter sport he would compete in, the Big Diesel had two picks in mind.
"Oh, curling, all day … and the Luge," mentioned O'Neal, as he also spoke about trying Italian restaurants and doing some sightseeing.
That said, keeping in mind Shaquille's physical stature, one cannot ascertain that he would exert a similar dominance in ice sports to what he had on the hardwood.
Making its ninth appearance in the Olympics, the Curling event features ten nations in three categories: men's, women's, and mixed doubles. A rather uncommon sport that primarily involves stones and ice has been part of the Winter Olympics since 1998.
As mentioned on the official Milano Cortina 2026 website , "Curling is contested by two teams of four players, who take turns sliding heavy granite stones down a long strip of ice towards a circular target known as the house."
"Each team delivers eight stones per end, with the objective simple in theory: to finish with stones as close as possible to the centre of the house, marked by a series of concentric rings..."
On the other hand, Luge involves athletes racing on an ice track while lying prone on a sled. A Luger generates momentum through his legs, torso, and shoulders to steer, usually traveling at speeds over 90 mph. The basic rules, as mentioned on the official website , are as follows.
"Athletes compete on the same track, with each luger making four runs over two days. These are timed to a thousandth of a second, and the times are added together. The athlete with the fastest total time is the winner. In women's singles, athletes start from a lower point than the men."
The doubles race takes place on a single day, with each pair completing two runs, and the duo with the fastest time wins Gold.
Hence, unlike basketball, where O'Neal's seven-foot frame was a boon, the same physical attributes posed a significant challenge in curling and luge. However, the former Los Angeles Lakers MVP did not mind a luge race against Charles Barkley .
Fans of the popular television show Inside the NBA certainly know about the love-hate relationship that O'Neal and Barkley share. The two Hall of Famers often make for a laugh riot, taking shots at each other, with Shaq also addressing Chuck as the older brother he never had.
The two former MVPs are often asked questions about their camaraderie and banter in various interviews and media interactions. The case was no different this time when Shaq addressed who would win a luge race between him and Chuck.
"I would have to give it to Barkley … because of his aero belly dynamics," answered O'Neal, leaving everyone in stitches.
While a Luge matchup between Shaq and Chuck is unlikely, one can imagine the Inside the NBA crew planning an interesting segment around it very soon.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
