Briar Schwaller-Hürlimann and Yannick Schwaller, both prominent figures in Olympic curling, are also proud parents. Their son, River, has gained unexpected fame during the Olympic Curling Tournament in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Olympia 2026: 18-Month-Old Star Shines at Curling Tournament
At just 18 months old, River has become a sensation. Following his parents’ match against the Czech Republic, which ended with a score of 10-3, he dashed across the arena to greet them. His infectious energy and charming antics have captured the attention of spectators both in the arena and online.
Viral Sensation
After a dramatic victory over Estonia, where the couple triumphed 9-7, River was filmed joyfully mimicking his parents by using a broom to scrub the arena floor. This endearing moment quickly went viral, earning him the nickname “Curling Baby.”
- Event: Olympic Curling Tournament
- Location: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
- Match Scores:
- Vs. Czech Republic: 10-3
- Vs. Estonia: 9-7
- River’s Age: 18 months
Yannick shared their surprise at River’s newfound stardom, stating, “We never intended for this. We hadn’t posted any public photos of him before.” However, they are embracing this unexpected attention, even as River seems more interested in his broom than celebrating with his parents.
Family Support
Both sets of grandparents traveled to the Olympics to support the couple. This assistance allows Briar and Yannick to focus fully on their matches while enjoying family time with their son.
This Sunday, River will have another chance to shine in the curling arena. His parents will compete against Great Britain at 2:35 PM. The stakes are high, as they aim for a spot in the semifinals against Canada on Monday.
