Barry Svrluga

Washington, D.C.

Sports columnist

Education: Duke University, BA in history

Barry Svrluga came to The Washington Post in 2003 after working at newspapers in Corning, N.Y.; Portland, Maine; and Raleigh, N.C. At those stops, he covered topics including NASCAR, high school lacrosse and the Final Four. At The Post, he has covered college basketball and football, the Washington Nationals, and the Redskins. He is a regular member of The Post's Olympics team, dating to the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, and he became a columnist for the Sports section in 2016.
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Latest from Barry Svrluga

Mikaela Shiffrin: ‘I have not really felt that kind of pain — ever’

Her pursuit of an unprecedented 100th World Cup victory isn’t over for the season, but it’s on indefinite hold.

December 1, 2024
Mikaela Shiffrin did not compete in Sunday's race after she crashed Saturday. (Joseph Prezioso/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images)

‘Heartbreaking’ crash denies Mikaela Shiffrin a landmark victory

The American ski racing star remains one World Cup victory shy of 100 after crashing Saturday in Killington, Vermont. She won’t race in Sunday’s slalom.

November 30, 2024

That Commanders game went off the rails. Has their season?

The Commanders will never again play in a game like Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys. They can still learn from it.

November 24, 2024

Jonatan Giráldez had it all in Spain. He left it for the Washington Spirit.

After leading FC Barcelona to four championships, the coach found, and met, a new challenge in the NWSL.

November 22, 2024
“I am 32 years old,” Washington Spirit Coach Jonatan Giraldez says. “I won everything in Barca. I won four titles as a coach. What else?”

In a blink, hockey went from marveling at Alex Ovechkin to missing him

Alex Ovechkin was barreling in on Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record. Now we don’t know what to expect.

November 20, 2024
Alex Ovechkin was on a tear before he went down with the most serious injury of his NHL career. (John McDonnell for The Washington Post)

The Washington Spirit is a thrilling force — now and in the future

After Saturday’s unforgettable playoff win, the Spirit just keeps climbing.

November 16, 2024
Hal Hershfelt and her Spirit teammates will play for the NWSL title. (Hannah Foslien for The Washington Post)

Is a two-game skid a blip or a disaster? It’s the Commanders’ choice.

After their first losing streak of the season, the rebuilt Washington Commanders find themselves at a pivot point.

November 15, 2024
A.J. Brown and the Eagles kept the Commanders at arm's length on Thursday night. (Terrance Williams/AP)

Pro hockey is a young man’s game, unless you’re Alex Ovechkin

At 39, Alex Ovechkin remains a relentless goal scorer, and his teammates ‘don’t think there’ll ever be anybody like him again.’

November 13, 2024
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin is more than a decade older than many of his teammates, including Aliaksei Protas, left, and goaltender Logan Thompson. (John McDonnell for The Washington Post)

This Commanders loss stings. That’s because the standard has changed.

No matter how you judge these Commanders after a loss to the Steelers, just know that they’re judging themselves more harshly.

November 10, 2024
The Commanders felt the sting of a one-point loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The Commanders are contenders, and Adam Peters acted like it

When the Commanders’ circumstances changed, Adam Peters met the moment and made his roster better.

November 7, 2024
Washington Commanders General Manger Adam Peters talks with owner Josh Harris before an October game. (Nick Wass/AP)