Positioned behind her camera, BYU journalism student and photographer Abby Shelton captured the raw emotion of the U.S. women’s hockey team’s semifinal victory to advance to the gold medal game, describing the moment as “epic” — witnessing peak athleticism on one of the world’s biggest stages through her own lens.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Shelton was one of 20 students selected to cover the Games under the direction of BYU communications professors Miles Romney and Kris Boyle. The students were divided into three groups: creative, broadcast and writing. Each group was given an opportunity that cannot be replicated in a classroom or in Utah, at least not until 2034.
“It really gives them an opportunity to do things outside their normal environment. They don’t often get the chance to cover silver medalists in luge or bobsled, or athletes from other countries. On top of that, it allows us to work with them side by side. For almost every story, Dr. Boyle and I were there with them working, interviewing, ideating and editing,” Romney said.
While in Italy, each student was expected to produce eight stories over 10 days. Using Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and the sports section of the Daily Universe, they shared their coverage and published stories in real time.
Unlike the Paris Olympics in 2024, fewer BYU-affiliated athletes competed, so the students shifted their focus to new perspectives. They covered the faith of Italian members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the cuisine of local communities and the raw, emotional moments experienced by athletes worldwide. As they stepped outside their comfort zones to pursue meaningful stories, the depth of experiential learning grew.
Shelton, a junior in the journalism and sports media program, said the Winter Olympics created growth opportunities for her and her peers.
“We had to learn how to capture content differently. We had to learn how to be unique because there was so much Olympic coverage and everyone in the world was talking about it. It pushed us to create content that was directly applicable to our audience but also different from mass media.”
Unlike a typical study abroad, the trip required constant, real-time decision-making and planning. Each day looked different depending on athletes’ availability and the students’ persistence in seeking new angles. They spent long days traveling, on their feet and interacting with athletes and spectators, both formally and informally. The group returned to the hotel at different times each night, often later than 9 p.m., and used the downtime to work on stories. Shelton worked closely with her peers and professors throughout the creative process.
“That’s what is really great about this approach; it’s amazing to see how the students progress during those two weeks,” Boyle said. “As a faculty member and mentor, you get really excited watching that growth.”
The students’ performance abroad continued to impress their professors and reflect the high standard BYU has established. From mature interactions in an international setting to determination through creative and physical challenges, the group demonstrated professionalism throughout the trip.
“I think the biggest challenge they face, and we all face, is the immense amount of work. Not only are they traveling, but they’re also creating content constantly. For two weeks, these students worked incredibly hard. They had to find stories and chase stories, which made the trip even more memorable,” Romney said.
The Winter Olympics took place across two major cities: Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. At both locations, students attended several events, including luge, curling, skeleton and hockey games, including overtime matchups featuring both U.S. and Canadian teams. They met athletes from around the world, including the German curling team, U.S. silver medalist Kory Dropkin, Ukrainian athletes and many others.
The students had opportunities to meet and interview athletes from around the world, giving them the chance to share perspectives that might otherwise go unseen.
“One of my biggest takeaways was connection, and I found that in so many ways,” Shelton said. “Through the stories, I was able to help show the connections people had to a city, church, sport, food or culture. Those connections are what made the stories powerful and worth telling.”
This marked the second Olympics attended by BYU students. Romney and Boyle began planning with the BYU Kennedy Center in 2024 to create the experiential learning opportunity. Looking ahead, they hope to make Olympic coverage a regular experience for BYU journalism students.
Wherever the Olympics take BYU next, the mission remains the same: to provide a character-building and spiritually strengthening experience for students.
“Something I love about doing this at BYU compared to anywhere else is the opportunity to tell stories about faith and the Church,” Boyle said. “These students get a chance to strengthen their faith through these experiences, and not just telling the stories, but feeling what these people feel.”
