Norway's curling pants are a real eye-catcher. © APA/afp / TIZIANA FABI

These trousers have a special story behind them.

As a tribute to their former captain who died of cancer, the Norwegian curlers brought back the legendary colorful shorts at the Olympics.

February 18, 2026

From: dpa/sn

During their 4-7 loss against Sweden in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the team sported shorts with the distinctive diamond pattern in the national colors of red, blue, and white. This pattern had made the team, then led by skip Thomas Ulsrud, famous at previous Winter Games.

“We thought a game in honor of the old team, played in full Norwegian attire on the ice, would be simply fantastic,” said Norway’s current captain, Magnus Ramsfjell. “Thomas was an incredible person, an incredible curler, and had a great passion for curling and for everything that interested me. His energy was simply amazing.”

The striking trousers (here worn by Captain Magnus Ramsfjell) are a tribute to former skipper Thomas Ulsrud. © APA/afp / TIZIANA FABI

Ulsrud died of cancer in 2022 at the age of 50. He and his team not only won silver at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, but also caused a sensation with their unusual trousers. These trousers even had their own Facebook page with numerous followers; King Harald V also received a pair.
Trousers as a "homage"

A tribute as a unique event

In previous matches during the Winter Games in Italy, the current Norwegian curling team wore ordinary, solid-colored trousers. Curler Martin Sesaker said they would likely return to these for the remaining matches. "We haven't played in these trousers very often, so we're not entirely comfortable in them yet. It was meant as a tribute, a one-off thing."