A University of Kentucky journalism alumnus has leveraged his education and passion for sports into a globe-trotting Olympic media career, working as a press officer at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and most recently as an English-speaking announcer for curling at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, according to UKNow, the university's news outlet.

Price Atkinson, a 1997 graduate of the UK College of Communication and Information, said his experience at the College of Communication and Information provided the foundation for his success in high-pressure international sports environments. His work has positioned him at the intersection of journalism, sports communication, and Olympic operations.

During the 2022 Beijing Games, Atkinson served with USA Curling, commuting daily from his hotel to the Olympic Village to work at the Beijing National Aquatics Centre, which curlers nicknamed the "Icecube." His responsibilities included managing social media accounts and conducting media relations during Team USA's curling competitions. Despite the intensive schedule and language barriers—Atkinson relied on Google Translate while navigating a Mandarin-speaking environment—he found the experience "incredibly rewarding."

Atkinson's role differed significantly at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, held in Italy, where he transitioned to public-facing work as a public address announcer for curling. His knowledge of the sport proved invaluable in educating colleagues unfamiliar with curling's nuances and terminology.

One moment stood out: announcing the mixed doubles gold medal match featuring Team USA's Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, two of Atkinson's friends who ultimately earned silver. "It was so special getting to call them out and introduce them on the podium as Olympic silver medalists," Atkinson said.

The 2022 Beijing Games presented a unique challenge—Atkinson worked during the COVID-19 pandemic when spectators were barred from attending, limiting the atmosphere he could experience. The 2026 Milano Cortina experience allowed him to fully enjoy the Olympic environment with fans present. The 2026 Games featured three curling competitions—men's, women's, and mixed doubles—at the historic Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, a venue that originally hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics.

Atkinson attributes much of his career success to his time at the Kentucky Kernel, the university's student-run newspaper. "The most important part was the hands-on experience I got writing for the Kentucky Kernel," he said. "Being part of a college daily newspaper gave me real-life, hands-on experience with deadlines, reporting and interviewing."

For current UK students pursuing careers in sports media and journalism, Atkinson offered straightforward advice: gain exposure to the many avenues available in modern journalism and sports media, and seek out real-world experience. "You can learn a lot in the classroom, but you just cannot substitute the type of real-world experience I got writing for the Kernel," Atkinson said.