Top Team USA Athletes to Watch at 2026 Winter Olympics
As the excitement builds for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, attention is already turning to Team USA’s standout athletes. Approximately 2,900 athletes from around the globe will participate in the games, which will take place from February 6 to February 22, 2026, featuring a total of 116 events. Team USA is set to send around 230 competitors who have collectively won 330 Winter Olympic medals, ranking second to Norway.
Top Team USA Athletes to Watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Alex Ferreira
Freestyle skier Alex Ferreira is making his third Olympic appearance. At 31, he has already secured a silver medal in PyeongChang and a bronze in Beijing. Ferreira, a halfpipe specialist, expressed pride in representing Team USA and reflected on the significance of bringing home medals.
Alex Hall
Freestyle skier Alex Hall, 27, also returns for his third Olympics. Hall, a gold medalist in slopestyle from Beijing, has gained confidence and a renewed perspective as he prepares to compete. Having spent much of his life close to the competition site, he looks forward to connecting with fellow athletes.
Alysa Liu
At just 20 years old, figure skater Alysa Liu is making her second Olympic appearance after a notable comeback from a brief retirement. Liu became the youngest national champion in U.S. figure skating history at 13 and recently captured the world title in 2025.
Amber Glenn
Amber Glenn, 26, will compete in her first Olympics following a remarkable achievement of winning her third consecutive U.S. title. She aims to leverage her platform to advocate for mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ representation in sports.
Brittany Bowe
Speedskater Brittany Bowe, who is 37, is set to make her fourth Olympic appearance. A two-time bronze medalist, Bowe emphasizes focusing on the process rather than outcomes, drawing on her extensive experience in previous games.
Caroline Harvey
At only 23 years old, Caroline Harvey earned a silver medal in women’s ice hockey at the 2022 Olympics. She is keen to continue making history in Milano Cortina as one of the top defenders in women’s hockey.
Erin Jackson
Gold medalist Erin Jackson is returning to her third Olympics. In 2022, she made history as the first Black woman to win gold in a short-track event. Jackson will be a flag bearer for Team USA in Milan.
Mikaela Shiffrin
Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin is gearing up for her fourth Olympic Games. Shiffrin has earned two golds and one silver, becoming the first alpine skier to achieve over 100 World Cup victories. She hopes to focus on performing well after past injuries.
Lindsey Vonn
Lindsey Vonn, 41, will compete in her fifth Olympics, having announced her comeback despite a recent injury. Vonn is celebrated for her dominance in downhill skiing and aims to inspire others through her perseverance.
Jordan Stolz
Speedskater Jordan Stolz, 21, quickly rose to prominence, claiming world championships across multiple distances. He looks to enhance the visibility of speed skating in the U.S. while competing in his second Olympics.
Nick Goepper
Snowboarder Nick Goepper will participate in his fourth Olympics. A veteran of the sport, Goepper previously won bronze in 2014 and silver in 2018. He successfully transitioned to competing in the halfpipe.
Others to Watch
- Hilary Knight: Four-time Olympian in ice hockey, with a gold and three silvers.
- Maxim Naumov: Figure skater overcoming personal tragedy in his Olympic debut.
- Kristen Santos-Griswold: Speedskater aiming for redemption after a difficult competition in 2022.
- Deedra Irwin: Biathlete with a unique journey from summer to winter sports.
As these athletes prepare for the competition of a lifetime, the anticipation for their performances at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics continues to grow, promising memorable moments for Team USA.
