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Let the Games begin
The Opening Ceremony will be centered at the iconic San Siro Stadium. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Picture the scene: The world’s greatest athletes are flying into Columbia Metropolitan Airport, waiting for their oversized, equipment-filled luggage, and preparing to vie for a coveted medal.
While we’re waiting on the real Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics at 2 p.m. today — and WLTX’s coverage of the Games — we’re imagining how the event would be celebrated at our own Opening Ceremony in Soda City.
Imagine the glow from an Olympic torch lighting up the water. | Photo via @mollymrosier
The torch arrives
To start off the festivities, let’s celebrate one of our most cherished landmarks: the Congaree River.
In true Columbia style, we imagine the Olympic torch entering the cityin the hand of a tuberfloating down the Saluda River, meeting the Broad at their confluence. The route would follow the riverfront past the Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park, pause at Granby Park, and continue through downtown to Williams-Brice Stadium.
The athletes wave
The upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony is taking place across four separate venues. We envision the same thing for Soda City.
The Seahawks’ Nick Emmanwori — an Irmo High School alum — was a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. | Photo by Gamecock Athletics
Asked
Where will your loyalties lie this Sunday? Pick your Super Bowl 60 winner — and don’t forget, Seattle’s Nick Emmanwori + Ernest Jones IV are former Gamecocks.
Civic
Columbia-Richland Fire Department broke ground on a new fire station on Hamrick Street earlier this week. The Olympia Station will be the department’s 21st + help teams respond more quickly to emergencies in the area. (ABC Columbia)
Number
400. That seems to be the lucky number for Orangeburg County, as a $400 million food or beverage plant is expected to bring 400 new jobs to the region. “Project Panther” is currently under wraps, but permitting documents indicate a facility centered on production, packaging, and distribution. (The State)
State
Phones down, Soda Citizens. Starting Saturday, Feb. 28, South Carolina law enforcement will be able to begin ticketing drivers under the state’s new hands-free driving law. Who would want to miss those river views, anyway? (The State)
List
Lexington’s Cribb’s Sandwich & Sweet Shop was recently named the best hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop in all of South Carolina. While we find Cribb’s a little too charming to be considered a “hole-in-the-wall,” we can’t denythe sandwiches are excellent.
Plan Ahead
A food tasting and Salute to the Harambee Festival are just some of the events Benedict College has planned in recognition of Black History Month. Take a look at the full lineup to fill your February calendar + don’t miss these other ways to commemorate Black history in Columbia.
Beauty
Engineered for men, Particle Face Cream tackles dryness, eye bags, wrinkles, and dark spots in one simple step. In other words: time to stop borrowing your partner’s moisturizer. Save 20% with promo code CITY20.*
Featured Deal
Level up your business with more savings. Right now with T-Mobile for Business, pay just $15 per line when you switch 10 or more lines to a CoreMobile plan. Keep your own devices and your current numbers — no contacts to update, no worries.‡*
The Buy
A best-selling pair of waterproof boots designed to keep your toes warm and dry in any weather. We love that this pair boasts a warm faux fur lining and a slip-resistant rubber outsole.
