How Team USA Made History at Olympics 2026

Taking home the gold is nothing new to Team USA.

On February 21st, the American athletes competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy, made history by winning the most gold medals ever for Team USA in the Winter Games.

The team earned a total of eleven gold medals, with Kaila Kuhn, Connor Curran, and Chris Lillis taking first place in the mixed team aerial ski event. This was the most gold medals won by the U.S. at the Winter Olympics since 2002, when Team USA won ten golds in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Alysa Liu recently achieved an incredible milestone, becoming the first American woman to win gold in figure skating in 24 years. The 20-year-old also made history in another way on February 19th, just four years after retiring from the sport. Performing to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park,” Liu became the first skater in her 20s to win a gold medal since Japan’s Shizuka Arakawa won at age 24 in 2006.

As Alysa traveled to the medal ceremony, she was overjoyed with her victory and couldn’t stop smiling.

“I just can’t process this. There’s no way,” Alysa said. “I really liked my skate a lot.”

Alysa achieved her second gold medal at the Winter Olympics, having previously won in the figure skating team event on February 8th.

Breezy Johnson, representing Team USA, also won a gold medal at this year’s Olympics. She gained attention when the handle of her medal broke soon after she won the women’s downhill race on February 8th.

“Please don’t jump while wearing them,” Breezy explained to reporters after the ceremony, holding up the broken medal. “I was jumping for joy when it snapped.” She then pointed to the separate pieces: “Here’s the medal, here’s the ribbon, and this little part is what connects them. It just came apart.”

Breezy, who secured Team USA’s first win at the Milan Cortina games, wasn’t concerned about fixing her award.

“I’m sure someone will fix it,” she joked. “It’s not crazy broken, but it’s a little broken.”

For a full rundown of Team USA’s star athletes, read on…

Mikaela Shiffrin, a three-time Olympic medalist, is determined to perform well at her fourth Olympics. She’s hoping to bounce back from a disappointing showing at the 2022 Beijing Games and a serious crash last November, where she injured her abdomen and needed surgery.

Honestly, I’ve been following Mikaela for years, and when I read her interview with TIME, it just… got me. She basically said she knows anything can happen, even if she trains perfectly, and she might not win a medal. But it’s not about the medal for her, not really. It’s about how much she trusts her team – her coaches, everyone who supports her. She feels so connected to them, and that makes her feel ready for anything. She said that’s all she can do, and honestly, it’s so inspiring! It’s not about guaranteeing a win, it’s about facing whatever happens together. I just… I get it, you know? It’s perfect.

Mikaela Shiffrin has been supported for years by Norwegian skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, and the two are now engaged to be married.

He keeps telling me to stay positive and that everything will be alright, she shared with Olympics.com. Last season was particularly tough, and I often wondered if pushing myself to come back was too much, too soon, or even achievable. But he reminded me that I know my own limits and that I’m giving it my all, and that it’s okay if things don’t work out.

After struggling with repeated knee injuries, Lindsey Vonn retired from competitive skiing in 2019. She was a five-time Olympian, earning a gold medal in downhill and a bronze in Super-G at the 2010 Winter Olympics, and another bronze in downhill at the 2018 Games.

As someone who’s always been about living life to the fullest, I can tell you, getting back your freedom is incredible. After years of dealing with knee pain – I had my first surgery back in 2013 – I finally had a partial knee replacement in 2024. It was a game-changer! For the first time in over a decade, I was pain-free, and honestly, that familiar spark – that need for adventure and speed – came right back.

While he enjoys other things like board meetings and investing, the 41-year-old skier told NBC News in December that nothing compares to the thrill of downhill skiing. He’s built a good life beyond the sport, and accepts he’ll never experience that same rush again, but he’s determined to savor these final moments of adrenaline.

Vonn’s crash during a World Cup race in Switzerland on January 30th was serious enough to require a helicopter rescue, and it threatened to end her attempt to return to competition.

Despite tearing the ACL in her left knee, the experienced athlete announced she was healthy enough to race in the women’s downhill competition on February 8th, even after previously stating she was prepared to risk it all.

Speaking at a press conference on February 3rd, she declared she wouldn’t give up. Despite the difficult situation, she insisted she was remaining strong and determined to give it her all.

Sadly, Vonn had a crash during the race and broke her shinbone in a complicated way, needing several operations to fix it.

Jessie Diggins, the most accomplished American cross-country skier ever, is competing in what will be her last Olympic Games.

And the Afton, Minn., native is headed to Italy with a purpose.

In a recent Instagram post on January 31st, the 34-year-old shared that they have the freedom to choose who they compete for and live according to their beliefs. They dedicated their efforts to those who show care and compassion to others, stating that these individuals inspire them and make them proud to represent their country. They hope to bring happiness to these supporters in the coming weeks.

After she retires, she shared with NPR’s All Things Considered that she’s looking forward to spending time gardening and, most importantly, being home with her husband.

Seventeen-year-old Stolz first competed in the Olympics in Beijing, and although he didn’t medal, he’s now a top contender to win gold in the 500, 1,000, and 1,500-meter speed skating events, plus the mass start race (a challenging 16-lap, 6,400-meter competition) at the Milan Cortina Games.

The 21-year-old athlete believes he has a strong chance of winning gold if he performs flawlessly. Speaking with the Associated Press in January, he said that as long as things go smoothly, he feels confident. He added that he’s used to competing under pressure and doesn’t anticipate that being a problem.

On February 11th, Stolz took the gold medal in the men’s 100m race, breaking the Olympic record with a time of 1:06.28.

Four years after making history at the Beijing Olympics – becoming the first Black American woman to medal in speed skating and the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Games – 500-meter champion Erin Jackson is returning to the 2026 Games as a flag bearer. She will share the honor with bobsledder Frank Del Duca during the Opening Ceremony on February 6th.

It’s a huge honor to represent the United States internationally,” said the 33-year-old from Ocala, Florida. “This isn’t just about me; it’s about my family, teammates, hometown, and all Americans who believe in the impact of sports.

Although she’s not retiring immediately, Jackson plans to launch an organization dedicated to supporting young Black athletes who want to compete in speed skating.

It’s incredibly important to see people who look like you succeeding, and that hasn’t always been the case in winter sports, especially speed skating. I feel a real sense of pride in being someone others can look up to, and I want to inspire them to try these sports. I’m committed to helping others experience the joy and possibility that sports can offer.

Kim suffered a minor labrum tear in January when she dislocated her shoulder during training in Switzerland, but she’s determined to compete in her fourth Olympics. There, she’ll be aiming to win her third gold medal in the women’s halfpipe event.

The 25-year-old athlete from Torrance, California, expressed disappointment in a video posted on January 13th that she won’t be able to snowboard again until just before the Olympics, which will make preparation difficult. She acknowledged she hasn’t had as much practice as she’d hoped, but remains optimistic.

She expects a relaxed period leading up to the 2026 Games. In an interview with NBC Olympics on January 22nd, she explained she was currently at home and planned to travel to Europe early the following week for some training before heading to Milan for the event.

And once she was there, she’d be fired up and ready to go—just like everyone else.

It’s hard to put into words what it’s like,” said Kim, who has been snowboarding since she was a child, “but it feels like everyone becomes the best version of themselves.

Gerard first won an Olympic gold medal in slopestyle at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games when he was 17 years old. Now, as a two-time X Games champion, he’s aiming to achieve the same success at his third Olympics.

The 25-year-old, originally from Ohio and now living in Colorado, told People magazine in January that she still feels young and healthy. She also expressed how rewarding it is to be a veteran on Team USA, having been a member since age 13, and to now be able to mentor the younger athletes.

Okay, so I was reading what Gerard said about the Olympics, and honestly, it’s brilliant! He basically explained how he manages all the pressure. He says he tries to convince himself it’s just another competition, which, yeah, it’s totally not, but he needs to think that way! He admits it’s huge, with way more people watching, but when he’s actually on his board, it’s the same snowboarding he’s always done. He tries to block everything else out, just focus on his run, and treat it like every other competition he’s ever done. It’s like, put your blinders on and just do it! It’s how he stays focused, and honestly, it’s so inspiring!

The 31-year-old snowboarder is competing in his third Olympic Games, hoping to add a gold medal to his collection after winning silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022.

Skier Ferreira believes this is his year to win a gold medal. He told the Daily Express that he’s entering the competition healthy for the first time, unlike his previous two attempts where he was injured – he broke his collarbone weeks before one games and sprained his ankle before another. He feels more prepared now, noting he’s older, more focused, and fully recovered.

Beyond his sister Lourdes and his athletic parents – Marcelo, a former soccer player from Argentina, and Colleen, a competitive runner – he also has a rescue dog named Brandy by his side.

What I love most about my dog, Brandy, is that she doesn’t care about accomplishments or recognition. She simply greets me with a wagging tail when I come home, offering unconditional support through everything life throws my way, and I truly rely on her.

Ferreira won a silver medal at the men’s freestyle skiing slopestyle event on Feb. 10.

Hall is competing in his third Olympics, hoping to repeat his gold medal win in slopestyle. He’s come a long way since placing 16th in the same event at the 2018 Games.

Beyond potentially winning another slopestyle gold—which he famously keeps in his sock drawer—the laid-back 27-year-old is also hoping to do better than his eighth-place finish in Big Air at the 2022 competition. He said winning once was incredible, and repeating that would be fantastic.

I’m seriously buzzing about the Olympics coming back to Europe! Can you imagine skiing on amazing snow, surrounded by those huge mountains? We haven’t had that for the last two Games, and it’s going to be incredible. Honestly, it’s extra special for me. My mom’s Italian – she’s from Bologna, and the whole family still lives there! They’re all planning to come watch the Olympics, and it’s going to be such a sweet, family reunion. I’m already counting down the days!

The 29-year-old freestyle skier is competing in her third Olympic Games and hopes to build on the silver medal she won in Beijing.

She always knows who to ask for help, whether it’s about preparing for a competition or dealing with the stress of competing on the world stage.

Patti Sherman-Kauf is a highly decorated athlete: she won two championships on the World Pro Moguls Tour, even while pregnant with her daughter, and her husband, Scott Kauf, won five titles. After retiring from mogul skiing, Patti excelled in skicross, earning three bronze medals at the X Games.

Jaelin wasn’t like most babies – she preferred being bounced instead of rocked, according to her mother, Patti, in an interview with NBC Olympics.

You know, it’s funny, I wasn’t instantly drawn to mogul skiing. Honestly, give me a fresh powder day over bumps any time! But watching my parents build their careers as professional skiers definitely planted a seed in my mind. It showed me this lifestyle wasn’t just a dream, it was possible. So many people don’t grow up seeing professional skiing as a viable career, or having that support, but I always felt like it was something I could pursue.

Team Jaelin also includes her boyfriend, Bradley Wilson, a two-time Olympic skier who is now retired, and his brother Bryon Wilson, a bronze medalist who coaches Kauf.

Kauf won a silver medal in women’s freestyle skiing moguls on Feb. 11.

Humphries’ journey has had more twists than a bobsled run.

Originally from Calgary, this 40-year-old athlete represented Team Canada in two-woman bobsled and achieved Olympic success with gold medals in 2010 and 2014, followed by a bronze in 2018.

In 2019, she surprised everyone in the sports world by announcing her departure from the Canadian national team after 16 years. She explained that she was concerned for her safety due to a harmful atmosphere within the team leading up to the 2018 Olympics.

In 2019, Humphries began competing for the U.S. team while also maintaining her Canadian citizenship, stating she didn’t intend to choose between the two nationalities.

She still feels a strong connection to Canada, but she’s also developed deep feelings for another person and country. Having lived in the U.S. for four years and married an American, she and her husband have faced life changes that required them to make difficult decisions and pursue new opportunities.

Elana Humphries became a U.S. citizen in 2021 and then made history by winning the first-ever Olympic gold medal in the monobob event—a one-person bobsled race—at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

This will be her fifth Olympic Games, and the first since becoming a mother. She and her husband, Travis Armbruster, welcomed their son, Aulden, in June 2024.

For years, people have said that having a baby means the end of an athlete’s career – that your body will change too much, both physically and mentally, and you’ll never be able to compete at a high level again. Kaillie Humphries told The Athletic that this used to be the accepted truth, but she and other athletes are now showing that it’s possible to be both a parent and continue competing in your sport.

For five-time Olympian, bobsledding is now a personal escape. Since becoming a mother with her husband, Nic Taylor, to son Nico in 2020 and then to Noah in 2022, she finds time for herself through the sport. Nico has Down syndrome, and both boys are deaf – a condition caused by a genetic trait both parents carried, which they discovered after Nico’s birth.

Even though her home life was incredibly busy, Meyers Taylor really wanted her children to see what she did at work.

The 41-year-old told The Athletic that the younger generation will encounter difficulties he can’t fully imagine. He hopes they learn that even when things get hard, it’s important to keep chasing your goals. He wants them to witness both his successes – seeing him win medals – and his struggles, watching him overcome setbacks and persevere.

I’ve been following Lauryn for years, and it’s amazing what she’s already accomplished – five Olympic medals across four Games! She’s dominated two-woman bobsled with four medals, and that silver in monobob against Humphries in 2022 was so close! But honestly, she deserves a gold medal so badly. I’m just hoping this next Olympics is finally the one where she gets it – she’s worked so incredibly hard!

Skeleton racing is an incredibly daring sport. It involves speeding headfirst down an icy, winding track on a small sled, reaching speeds of up to 90 miles per hour.

Ro, who became the first American to win a medal in skeleton at the IBSF World Championships in 12 years (in 2025), initially didn’t believe she’d actually won.

She remembers her first time trying skeleton in 2016 vividly. After being told she was too small for bobsled, her coach guided her to the starting line, and then everything happened incredibly fast. ‘I couldn’t see or think,’ she told The Athletic. ‘When I reached the bottom, I was done. I knew I wasn’t doing that again!’

But after listening to enough people rave about how cool it was, she tried it again.

Ten years after starting her journey, the athlete from Virginia is now competing in her first Olympics. She’ll be participating in both individual events and the new mixed team event, which is being introduced at the 2026 Games.

Ro, who comes from a large family of eleven—including a twin sister born just fourteen minutes after her—works as a tour guide at the Lake Placid Olympic Center when she isn’t training or competing. Like many athletes in less-publicized sports, she balances her athletic pursuits with a job to make ends meet.

She described being fully immersed in her work and training environment, saying it’s a constant part of her life. She also explained that tourists enjoy tours led by athletes who offer a special, insider’s view of the facility. While she appreciates the opportunity, it doesn’t provide enough income to fully support her athletic pursuits.

Illya Malinin comes from a family of figure skating stars – both his parents were champions in Uzbekistan. He started skating at age six, but growing up in Virginia, he actually preferred playing soccer outdoors to practicing in the chilly rink.

At age 17, he achieved a historic feat at the 2022 CS U.S. International Classic by becoming the first—and so far only—skater to successfully land a fully rotated quadruple axel in an international competition.

Ilia Malinin, known as the “Quad God,” has successfully landed four-jump combinations many times. He’s currently the strongest U.S. male skater with a chance to win gold again at the 2026 Olympics, especially since Nathan Chen, previously known as the “Quad King,” isn’t competing in the Milan Cortina Games.

Okay, so this young athlete – he’s only 20 – didn’t make the Team USA cut four years ago, and honestly, that can be really tough. But instead of dwelling on it, he’s completely refocused. He’s putting all his energy into training and preparing so he can really shine this time around. It’s all about giving himself the best possible chance to succeed, and I love seeing that kind of dedication!

Okay, so Ilia was talking about competitions on this podcast, and it’s SO him! He said he honestly doesn’t even think about medals when he’s out there. It’s all about the performance for him, about doing his job as a skater. He spends so much time preparing, getting everything perfect, so he can just go out there and give it his all. He basically said if he skates clean, the medals will just happen – and honestly, that’s exactly what always does! It’s not about the reward for him, it’s about the skating itself, which is just…amazing.

He and his U.S. figure skating teammates clinched the gold medal in the teams event on Feb. 8.

After competing in the Beijing Olympics and World Championships—where she earned a bronze medal—Liu retired from competitive skating in 2022.

Looking back on my decision to retire at 17, it really started when I was five years old – I dedicated almost my entire childhood to training! Because I was homeschooled, I had the flexibility to fully commit, but it also meant a lot of isolation. I’m a naturally social person and I really thrive on connection with others, but for years I lived and trained completely alone, without the support of family or friends. It was all about the pursuit of my goals, but it definitely came at a cost.

She explained that she had very little control over her training and appearance, often being told what to do and made to wear outfits she didn’t like. She felt like she was simply being used, but she persevered because she felt a responsibility to fulfill her Olympic dream, especially for the sake of her younger self.

After starting her studies at UCLA in the fall of 2023 and enjoying a typical college experience, she rediscovered her competitive spirit during a January skiing trip. By March 2024, she was actively competing again. The 20-year-old from Clovis, California, achieved a gold medal at the World Championships in 2025 and is now aiming to win a medal – and ideally another gold – at the 2026 Games, ending the 20-year drought for U.S. women in individual events.

When she takes the ice now, “it’s fully for myself,” Liu explained. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool.”

Liu and her U.S. figure skating teammates clinched the gold medal in the teams event on Feb. 8.

I seriously can’t even with how amazing this is! They’re competing in their fourth Olympics together, which is incredible enough, but this time is extra special! They just got married in June, and now they’re representing us as a married couple! I’m totally losing it – it’s a dream come true to see them compete like this!

In December, Chock explained to TopMob News that getting married strengthened their bond and dedication to both each other and their sport. They already had a strong connection through skating, but marriage has allowed them to truly work as partners, supporting each other’s goals both on and off the ice.

Okay, so they did get a team gold in Beijing, which was amazing, but honestly, it’s not enough! These three-time world champions deserve individual Olympic gold! They’ve worked so hard, and it’s just killing me that they haven’t gotten that ultimate prize yet. I’m seriously counting down the days until they finally get the Olympic medal they’ve earned!

I’ve been following Bates and the team closely, and they’ve been absolutely grinding – putting in serious time and effort, honestly. But what really strikes me is how appreciative they are, even with all the hard work. They’ve told TopMob how thankful they are for every single day and the chance to do what they do. It’s really inspiring to see!

Although both skaters, 36-year-old Madison Chock and 33-year-old Evan Bates, haven’t confirmed if this will be their final Olympic Games, they recognize they are nearing the end of their competitive careers.

At the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Bates told NBC Olympics that they were trying to stay focused and not get overwhelmed by the emotion of the event and their 15 years as a team. They said the best reward would be a strong performance, but they also wanted to savor the moment, knowing it might be their last competition. They went on to win gold at the event.

On February 8th, the pair took home the gold medal in the team figure skating event and earned a silver medal in ice dance.

The veteran U.S. women’s national team player, a gold medalist in 2018, has announced that the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics will be her last. At 36 years old, this will be her fifth Olympic Games, making her the American hockey player with the most Olympic appearances ever – for both men and women.

Although she’d love to win another gold medal, Knight emphasized to Today.com that a large portion of the team – possibly more than half – are Olympic first-timers. She’s focused on making sure everyone feels comfortable and can perform at their best. With so many talented players, she believes getting the whole team to reach their full potential will be key to a strong performance.

A University of Wisconsin graduate, this athlete currently plays for the Seattle Torrent in Washington, but considers Salt Lake City her true home. She recently purchased a house there with her partner, Brittany Bowe, a veteran speed skater who will be competing in her fourth and final Olympic Games shortly before turning 38 on February 24th.

As elite athletes, you develop a strong sense of what someone else needs – whether it’s encouragement or time to themselves,” Knight explained to NBC Olympics in June 2025. “Because we’ve both been performing at a high level for so long, we understand each other well.

This mixed doubles curling team, paired up after the 2022 Beijing Olympics, is competing in their first Olympics as a duo. They previously placed fifth at the 2025 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship and won a world championship in 2023. They attribute their success not only to their skill and dedication, but also to how well their personalities mesh.

Honestly, watching Cory and I skate together is amazing because we just click. We’ve really figured out how to stay relaxed and focused on the moment, which is huge for our performance. People have started calling us ‘the calm and the fire,’ and it’s so accurate! Cory is this incredibly calm, confident presence on the ice, while I bring a lot more fiery energy and passion. It’s a combination that just works, and we really feed off of each other’s strengths.

He and his wife, Thiesse, who married Sam Thiesse in June 2022, live in Duluth, Minnesota. They both work regular jobs to support their passion for curling.

Dropkin works in real estate, and Thiesse is a lab technician who tests wastewater for mercury. Thiesse shared with Duluth’s ABC 10 that she’s thankful to have a stable job that allows her to pursue her passion for curling, something she and her teammates have dreamed of since childhood.

The pair won a silver medal in the mixed doubles event on Feb. 10.

2026-02-21 22:50

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