In curling at the Winter Olympics, alternates serve as vital support players who may never step onto the ice but ensure their teams perform at their best. These fifth team members handle logistics, scouting, and preparation while staying ready for any opportunity to play. Athletes from Team USA, Canada, and Great Britain highlight the selflessness required for the role.
Curling teams at the Olympics consist of four players, but each includes an alternate who remains on the sidelines unless needed. These alternates embrace a paradoxical role: officially Olympians yet often unseen during competitions in the Men's Tournament.
Tyler Tardi, the 27-year-old alternate for the Canadian team led by 2014 Olympic champion Brad Jacobs, describes his approach as one of selflessness. "My goal is to be always wanted or needed but unnoticed," Tardi said. "If I can be behind the scenes, but the guys know that I'm making their lives easier, that's all I can do, and that's all I can want. It's one of my personal traits, I think, selflessness. It is a big goal of mine to put others ahead of myself. That fits this role pretty well."
Tardi views his Olympic experience positively, even without playing. "To finally be at the Olympics and to not be on the ice, I don't take that as a negative," he added. "It's more so of a driving force for the future. We're only a few days in, and I already want to be back. This is super cool. I can't wait to work hard and try to be on the main lineup in the future."
Alternates' duties include throwing practice stones the day before games to assess ice conditions. "The rocks run a little bit differently sometimes," explained Rich Ruohonen, the U.S. alternate who, at 54, became the oldest Winter Olympian last week. "That's the main thing. Also, just doing anything I can to help the team. Carry the brooms, go make sure everybody's up in the morning, make sure people are where they need to be when they need to be there, change the broom heads before the game."
Ruohonen also mentors his younger teammates, all in their 20s, by reviewing footage and scouting opponents. "I'm trying to help these guys. We have the youngest team here. They still have a lot to learn," he said.
Great Britain's Kyle Waddell emphasizes mental preparedness. "I fully appreciate that the chances are that I'm not going to play in a game," Waddell noted. "I make sure that I'm in the mindset that I can play, because at the end of the day, if I do need to come on, then I'm not making Team GB any weaker."
While rare, alternates must always be ready to step in, underscoring their importance to team success.
