
Team USA is beary happy about their latest goodie bag.
Oh my gosh, Hahna Norman just spilled the beans on all the amazing stuff Team USA gave their athletes, and honestly, the Starbuck Bearista cup is the absolute MUST-HAVE item! I need one, like, immediately. Everyone’s going crazy over it, and I totally get why!
The snowboarder said in a TikTok video on February 4th, “I wasn’t expecting this!” She explained that it was a Starbucks bear mug, which had become incredibly popular online, especially with people who spend a lot of time on the internet.
She explained that they were supposed to get Team USA uniforms, but they arrived too late. So, they were given the standard uniforms instead, which she thought were adorable.
As a lifestyle expert, I saw a real buzz – and frustration! – last November when a popular coffee chain had trouble keeping up with demand for their limited-edition, 20-ounce bear-shaped iced coffee glasses. Customers were disappointed when they couldn’t get their hands on them, simply because there weren’t enough to go around.
Starbucks said they were amazed by how quickly their holiday merchandise sold out. In a statement to People magazine on November 6th, they explained that even though they sent more Bearista cups to stores than almost any other item, the cups—and a few other products—still sold out very quickly.
They added, “We know a lot of customers were looking forward to the Bearista cup, and we’re sorry if this caused any frustration.”
Team USA athletes will each receive a popular tumbler and a bottled mocha Frappuccino. The gift bag also includes useful items like Team USA KT tape, New Era hats, a microfiber towel, and three pairs of Oakley sunglasses for sun protection during outdoor activities like skiing and snowboarding.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which tests athletes for drugs during the games, also handed out free items like pins, playing cards, and stickers.
The athletes also received some nice perks. One highlight was a Hamilton watch, worth over $2,500, that was included in their gift package. But the most meaningful item wasn’t about money – it was a commemorative coin celebrating their Olympic achievement.
Hahna recently shared the gifts she received in her welcome package from Team USA, which included clothing and accessories from brands like SKIMS, Nike, and Ralph Lauren.

She excitedly showed off a USA duffle bag completely packed with Nike gear, exclaiming, “Massive shout out to Nike. All this stuff is so awesome! What the heck!”
Team USA athletes received a welcome package with new clothing, including sweatsuits and sneakers, as well as media equipment.
In her second video, 21-year-old Hahna excitedly showed off a red Team USA tank top, exclaiming, “I’m in love with this!” and adding, “Holy smokes.”
For a look at all of Team USA’s all-star athletes, read on…

Though Mikaela Shiffrin has already won three Olympic medals, she’s determined to perform better at her fourth Olympics. She didn’t have the results she wanted at the 2022 Beijing Games, and she recently recovered from a serious crash in November 2024 where she injured her abdomen and needed surgery.
In a recent interview with TIME, Mikaela Shiffrin explained she’s acutely aware of the unpredictable nature of competition. While she knows preparation is key, she accepts that even perfect planning doesn’t guarantee a medal. However, she feels strongly supported by her team, which gives her confidence they can overcome any challenges together, and that’s all she can ask for.
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. Especially last season, she admitted to having doubts about whether she should even be trying to come back, wondering if she was pushing herself too hard, too quickly, and if success was even possible. But he reassured her, saying she knows her own limits best, she’s giving it her all, and that it’s okay if it doesn’t work out.

After struggling with repeated knee injuries, Lindsey Vonn retired from competitive skiing in 2019. She had competed in five Winter Olympics, earning a gold medal in downhill and a bronze in Super-G at the 2010 games, and another bronze in downhill at the 2018 games.
After a successful partial knee replacement in 2024 finally relieved the pain she’d lived with since her initial surgery in 2013, she rediscovered her love for speed.
As someone who’s always lived life to the fullest, I’ve learned that while building a successful life outside of my passion – which for me was professional skiing – is incredibly rewarding, nothing truly compares to the thrill of doing what you love. I’m 41 now, and I told NBC News recently that while board meetings and smart investments are great, they just don’t give you that same rush as flying down a mountain. I’ve built a wonderful life, and I’m at peace with knowing skiing days are limited, but I’m definitely going to savor every last bit of adrenaline while I still can – because once it’s gone, it’s gone!
Vonn’s crash during a World Cup race in Switzerland on January 30th was serious enough that she needed to be rescued by helicopter, and it almost ended her attempt to return to competition.
Despite tearing her left ACL, the experienced athlete announced she was healthy enough to compete in the women’s downhill race on February 8th in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Cortina is hosting the skiing, snowboarding, and sliding events, while Milan will host skating, curling, and other sports. She had previously stated she was prepared to risk everything to compete.
Speaking at a press conference on February 3rd, she declared her determination, stating, ‘I won’t let this opportunity pass me by.’ She continued, ‘I’m holding it together and remaining strong, and I’m committed to giving it my all.’

Oh my gosh, Jessie Diggins! She’s, like, the absolute legend of American cross-country skiing, seriously. And this… this is her last Olympics! I can’t believe it! It’s so bittersweet watching her compete, knowing this is the final time. She’s already accomplished SO much, it’s incredible!
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, saying that these people inspire them and make them proud to represent their community. 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 at home with her husband.

At just 17, Stolz first competed in the Olympics in Beijing. Though he didn’t medal four years ago, he’s now a strong contender to win gold in several events at the Milan Cortina Games, including the 500, 1,000, and 1,500-meter races, plus the mass start – a longer race of 16 laps and 6,400 meters.
The 21-year-old athlete believes he has a strong chance of winning gold if he performs at his best, telling the Associated Press in January that he’s well-prepared. When asked about dealing with pressure, he explained that he’s confident he can handle it, having already competed successfully in many high-stakes races.

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 compete in 2026. She’ll be a flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony on February 6th, alongside bobsledder Frank Del Duca.
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 helping young Black athletes achieve their goals in speed skating.
It’s incredibly important to see people who look like you succeed, and that hasn’t always happened in winter sports, especially speed skating. I’m proud to be someone others can look up to and be inspired to try the sport. I’m committed to helping make that happen for as many people as possible.

Kim sustained a minor labrum tear in January after dislocating her shoulder during training in Switzerland, but this wouldn’t prevent her from competing in her fourth Olympics. There, she’ll aim to add to her already impressive record by winning 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 anticipates a relaxed period leading up to the 2026 Games. In a January 22nd interview with NBC Olympics, 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 a two-time X Games champion, he’s aiming to carry that success into his third Olympic appearance.
The 25-year-old, originally from Ohio and now living in Colorado, told People magazine in January that she still feels young and in great shape. She also expressed how rewarding it is to be a veteran member of Team USA, having joined at age 13, and to be able to mentor the newer, younger athletes.
Gerard explained how he handles the pressure of the Olympics by reminding himself that it’s still just another competition. He acknowledges it’s a much larger event with a bigger audience, but ultimately, the snowboarding itself doesn’t change. He focuses on what he needs to do and tries to approach it like any other contest – something he’s done throughout his career.

At 31, the halfpipe skier is aiming for gold at his third Olympic Games, hoping to add to his previous silver (2018) and bronze (2022) medals.
Skier Ferreira believes this is his year to win gold. He told the Daily Express that he’s entering the games fully 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 just three weeks before another. He feels more prepared now, being older and incredibly focused.
Beyond his sister Lourdes and athletic parents – Marcelo, a former soccer player from Argentina, and Colleen, a competitive relay racer – he also has a rescue dog named Brandy by his side.
What I love most about Brandy is her unconditional love – she doesn’t care about accomplishments or rewards. She simply greets me with a wagging tail and is always there for me, through thick and thin, and I truly rely on her presence,” said Ferreira, who partners with Nulo pet food.

Hall is competing in his third Olympics, returning as the gold medalist in slopestyle. He’s improved significantly since his 16th-place finish in the same event at the 2018 Games.
Beyond potentially winning another slopestyle gold—something he cherishes, even keeping his first medal in his sock drawer—the laid-back 27-year-old also hopes to do better than his eighth-place finish in Big Air at the 2022 competition. He said winning once was incredible, and repeating that success would be amazing.
I’m seriously losing it knowing the Olympics are coming back to Europe! Can you imagine skiing with amazing snow and those huge mountains? We haven’t had that in the last two games, and it’s going to be incredible. And get this – my mom is Italian, born and raised in Bologna! Her whole family still lives there, and they’re all planning to come watch the games! It’s going to be so special having them there, cheering alongside me. 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 getting better at her sport or dealing with the stress of competing on the world stage.
Patti Sherman-Kauf is a 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 moguls skiing, Patti successfully transitioned to skicross, earning three bronze medals at the X Games.
I remember Patti telling NBC Olympics about Jaelin’s early days. Apparently, she wasn’t a typical baby who enjoyed being rocked. She actually preferred being bounced – it was her thing from the very beginning!
Jaelin confessed that she didn’t immediately love mogul skiing. “I’d always choose a powder day over bumps,” she told Teton Gravity Research in November 2025. However, watching her parents build careers as professional skiers showed her it was a viable path for herself. She realized not everyone has that example or support, but she always felt confident she could pursue it.
I’m so excited to see Jaelin compete, and her support system is incredible! Her boyfriend, Bradley Wilson, is a two-time Olympian and a retired moguls skier – a total pro! And get this, Bradley’s older brother, Bryon, who actually won a bronze medal, is Kauf’s coach! It’s amazing to see so much talent and experience all connected to these athletes. I really think this strong team dynamic will help them all succeed.

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 medal in 2018.
I was absolutely stunned when she announced in 2019 that she was stepping away from the Canadian national team after dedicating 16 years to it. It turned out she was genuinely afraid for her well-being, because the atmosphere had become so negative and unhealthy, especially leading up to the 2018 Olympics. It was heartbreaking to hear, but she deserved to prioritize her safety.
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 countries.
She clarified that her love for Canada hasn’t diminished, but she’s capable of loving someone and something new just as deeply. Having lived in the U.S. for four years and married an American, she explained that life often presents choices and opportunities that require difficult decisions.
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, but her 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 reach your peak performance again. As Humphries told The Athletic, that used to be the accepted truth. But now, athletes are showing that you can have a successful career and a family if that’s what you want.

For five-time Olympian, bobsledding is now a personal escape. Since becoming a mother with her husband, Nic Taylor, she’s found solace in the sport. They welcomed their son, Nico, in 2020, and another son, Noah, in 2022. Nico has Down syndrome, and both boys are deaf—a result of a genetic mutation the parents discovered after Nico’s birth.
Even though things were incredibly hectic at home, 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 tough, it’s important to keep chasing your goals. He wants them to witness both his successes – seeing him win medals – and his struggles, learning how to overcome setbacks and keep fighting.
Although Kaillie Meyers Taylor has earned five Olympic medals across four Olympic Games—four in two-woman bobsled and a silver in monobob in 2022—she’s still hoping to win her first gold medal.

Skeleton racing is undeniably cool – it’s a sport where athletes slide headfirst down an icy, winding track, reaching speeds of up to 90 mph.
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.
Oh my gosh, just thinking about it gives me chills! She told me how the coach basically just pushed her down the track, and everything became a total blur. She said it was so fast, she couldn’t even see or think! And then, when she finally hit the bottom, her immediate reaction was just, ‘Nope! Absolutely not doing that ever again!’ It’s hilarious, because she’d been told she was too small for bobsled, and this was her first time trying skeleton! It’s just…iconic, honestly.
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 brand-new mixed team event, which is being introduced at the 2026 Games.
Outside of training and competition, Ro—one of eleven children, including a twin sister born just 14 minutes later—works as a tour guide at the Lake Placid Olympic Center. Like many athletes in less-publicized sports, she takes on a second job to help make ends meet.
As a professional athlete, my training facility isn’t just where I work – it’s my life! I’m constantly immersed in that environment. We’ve started offering tours, and visitors absolutely love getting a behind-the-scenes look with me as their guide, sharing what it’s like from an athlete’s point of view. It’s a fantastic experience, but honestly, those tours alone won’t cover all the costs of competing at this level. There’s a lot more that goes into funding my training and career.

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 made history as the first – and so far, only – skater to land a complete quadruple axel during an international competition, achieving this at the 2022 CS U.S. International Classic.
Ilia Malinin, known as the “Quad God,” has successfully landed four quadruple jumps in a single program several times. With Nathan Chen, previously called the “Quad King,” not competing in the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, Malinin is currently the top U.S. male skater with a strong chance of winning another individual gold medal.
Four years after not making Team USA, the 20-year-old is now concentrating on preparing himself to perform well.
In competitions, I focus on delivering a strong performance, not on winning medals,” Ilia Malinin explained on the USA Today podcast, Milan Magic. “I concentrate on what I need to do as a skater and make sure I’m well-prepared. If I skate cleanly, I figure the medals will take care of themselves.

After competing in the Beijing Olympics and World Championships – where she earned a bronze medal – Liu retired from competitive skating in 2022.
Liu explained to NBC News that she began her training at age five and continued intensely until she was sixteen. Being homeschooled her entire life, she felt a strong need for social connection, but spent many years training in isolation, without family or friends nearby. She ultimately decided to retire at seventeen.
She explained that she had very little control over her training and appearance, saying she was often put in outfits she didn’t like and felt like a doll being dressed up. Despite not wanting to participate in this way, she felt obligated to compete in the Olympics, believing it was something she needed to do for her younger self.
After starting her studies at UCLA in the fall of 2023 and enjoying a typical college experience, she rediscovered her competitive drive during a January skiing trip. By March 2024, she was officially competing again. The 20-year-old Californian went on to win a gold medal at the 2025 World Championships and now aims to win the first individual medal for the U.S. women in 20 years at the 2026 Games—and she’s hoping for another gold.
When she takes the ice now, “it’s fully for myself,” Liu explained. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool.”

This will be the fourth Olympic Games for the couple, and their first since they got married in June 2024.
In December, Chock explained to TopMob News that getting married strengthened their bond and dedication to both each other and their skating. They already had a strong connection through years of skating together, but marriage has allowed them to truly support each other as partners, both on and off the ice, in everything they do.
Although the three-time world champion ice dancing pair helped the U.S. win a team gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, they are still hoping to earn their first Olympic medal as a duo.
We’ve been working incredibly hard and dedicating a lot of time and effort,” Bates shared with TopMob, “but we truly appreciate every day and the chance we’ve been given.
While the ice dancers, 36-year-old Evan Bates and 33-year-old Madison Chock, haven’t announced their retirement, they recognize they’re nearing the end of their competitive career.
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 emotions of the event and their 15-year partnership. They said the best reward was performing well, but they also wanted to savor the moment, knowing it might be their last competition. They went on to win gold at the event.

Oh my gosh, you guys, I’m seriously losing it! Our amazing veteran player, the one who helped us bring home the gold in 2018, just announced that the Milan Cortina Olympics will be her LAST! Can you believe it? Five Olympics! That means she’ll have played in more Olympic games than any American hockey player, ever—male or female. It’s incredible, and honestly, a little heartbreaking, but mostly just SO inspiring! I’m already counting down the days!
Although she’d love to win another gold medal, Knight explained to Today.com that a large portion of the team – possibly more than half – are first-time Olympians. She emphasized the importance of making sure everyone feels comfortable and can perform at their best. With so many talented players, she believes getting them 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 home, where she lives with her partner, Brittany Bowe. Bowe is a veteran speed skater and will compete in her fourth – and last – 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 shared with NBC Olympics in June 2025. “Having both competed at a high level for so long allows us to really understand each other.

Okay, so I’ve been following this mixed doubles curling team obsessively since they teamed up right after the Beijing Olympics, and I’m SO excited they finally made it to the Olympics together! They were so close at the 2025 World Championship, finishing fifth, but I knew they had what it takes. Everyone says it’s not just their amazing skill – they work so hard! – but how well they get along. Seriously, they just click. And it shows! They already won a World Championship in 2023, which was incredible, and I just know they’re going to kill it at the Games. I’m already counting down the days!
Ahead of the Milan Cortina Games, figure skater Dropkin, 30, explained how well she and her partner, Cory, work together. “We’re good at staying relaxed and focused on the present,” she said. “We also just really click as personalities. Someone recently called us ‘the calm and the fire’ – Cory is calm and steady on the ice, while I bring a lot of energy and passion. It’s a great combination.”
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 told Duluth’s ABC 10 that she’s thankful to have a stable job while pursuing her passion for curling, adding that competing has been a lifelong dream for her and her teammates.
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2026-02-08 19:20