By Anietie anii-bassey
The scoreline left little doubt about the outcome. With the United States trailing Switzerland 8-2 late in the match, the result was effectively sealed. But what unfolded on the ice Thursday carried significance far beyond the numbers on the board.
In a moment that blended sport, perseverance and generational change, 54-year-old Rich Ruohonen stepped onto the Olympic stage and into history.
The Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, personal injury lawyer — a six-time recipient of the “Minnesota Attorney of the Year” honor — delivered a corner guard in the closing end of the men’s curling match. As his stone glided toward the house, Ruohonen bit his lip, tracking its slow arc across the ice until it settled securely along the left flank.
“Yeah, baby! Good shot, Rich!” shouted U.S. skip Danny Casper, born in 2001 and nearly three decades younger than his teammate.
American fans rose to their feet, offering a standing ovation for a man whose Olympic appearance had been years in the making. In that moment, Ruohonen became the oldest American to compete at a Winter Olympics.
“I would have rather done it when we were up 8-2 instead of down 8-2,” Ruohonen said afterward with a smile. “But I really appreciate the guys giving me a chance.”
The substitution was more than symbolic. Ruohonen joined the team as an alternate after Casper was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. Though Casper has continued to compete, the addition of Ruohonen provided depth and experience to a roster otherwise defined by youth.
Since then, Ruohonen has taken on a role that extends well beyond the hack. On a team dominated by players from Generation Z, he has become something of an honorary uncle — driving teammates to practices, making sure they’re awake for early morning training sessions and occasionally picking up snacks along the way.
“We got Rich. Uh, he’s a lawyer. I don’t know if you guys knew that,” Casper joked during a recent press conference, drawing laughter from teammates and members of both the men’s and women’s U.S. squads.
The ribbing continued. “If you need a lawyer, I think you can call Rich,” Casper added later, prompting another round of chuckles.
Behind the humor lies a demanding routine. Ruohonen balances Olympic-level competition with the responsibilities of running a full-time law practice.
“I get up three days a week at 5 in the morning, leave my house by 5:15, drive 30 miles to work out and train,” he said. After training, he heads straight to his office for a full day of legal work. Evenings often bring a return to the rink for additional practice.
From Thursday through Sunday, he is frequently on the road competing in tournaments. A collared shirt and tie travel with his curling gear so he can log into court hearings via Zoom between matches. The logistical juggling act is constant.
At home, he and his wife Sherri have raised two children — Hannah, 24, and Nicholas, 21 — both introduced to curling just as Ruohonen was by his own father. Nicholas ultimately gravitated toward hockey, but the family’s connection to the sport remains strong.
For Ruohonen, the Olympic appearance marks the culmination of years of near-misses. He had come close before but never quite secured a place on the Winter Games roster. This time, surrounded by teammates young enough to be his children, he finally achieved that milestone.
The bond between Ruohonen and his younger teammates is evident. While he is occasionally the subject of playful TikTok videos or locker-room jokes, the respect runs deep. His experience offers perspective — and continuity — in a sport that has evolved significantly over the decades.
“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,” Ruohonen said, reflecting on curling’s past.
He contrasts that era with the current team’s professionalism and physical preparation.
“Look at these guys,” he said. “Every one of them’s ripped. And every one of them sweeps their butt off.”
In a sport where precision, patience and teamwork matter more than raw speed, Ruohonen’s Olympic moment served as a reminder that excellence can arrive at any age — and that sometimes history is made not in victory, but in opportunity.
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