Winter Olympics 2026: Meet the Youngest, Oldest, and Fastest Stars
As the Winter Olympics 2026 approaches, the spotlight is shining on some of the youngest, oldest, and fastest athletes who are ready to make their mark. The games will take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, showcasing talent across various winter sports.
Highlighting Young Stars
The competition is set to feature exceptional young athletes who are poised to achieve greatness. Among them is 17-year-old Choi Gaon from South Korea. She made headlines by defeating two-time defending champion Chloe Kim in the women’s halfpipe final. Choi demonstrated remarkable resilience by earning a winning score of 90.25, thus securing South Korea’s first-ever medal in this category.
Another standout young competitor is 21-year-old Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan. He took the figure skating world by storm, clinching gold in the men’s individual category against strong contenders. His victory marked Kazakhstan’s first gold medal in figure skating and their first Olympic gold since 1994.
Oldest Competitors Making History
Experience plays a crucial role in the Winter Olympics, and older athletes are also set to compete. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, at 25 years old, has been a fixture in alpine skiing since he was 17. After a challenging performance in Beijing, he bounced back with an outstanding World Cup season, ultimately securing gold in the giant slalom. This achievement marked South America’s first medal at the Winter Games.
The Fastest Stars in the Making
As the games progress, fans are eager to witness the next generation of stars. One such emerging talent is Abby Winterberger from the USA, who, at just 15 years old, is one of the youngest competitors slated to participate in the freeski halfpipe event. Her entry into the competition promises to be a highlight as she aims for glory on this prestigious platform.
Summary of Key Athletes
- Choi Gaon (17, South Korea): Women’s halfpipe gold medalist, first medal for Korea in the event.
- Mikhail Shaidorov (21, Kazakhstan): Men’s individual figure skating gold medalist, first gold for Kazakhstan in this discipline.
- Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (25, Brazil): Gold medalist in giant slalom, first Winter Games medal for South America.
- Abby Winterberger (15, USA): Youngest competitor in the freeski halfpipe event.
The Winter Olympics 2026 promises to deliver thrilling performances from a diverse group of athletes, showcasing the drama of young talent, seasoned competitors, and the excitement of fast-paced action on the snow and ice.
