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With nearly 230 American athletes descending on Italy for the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, Team USA is looking to add to its impressive historical medal count. From returning legends to debutants carrying powerful stories of resilience, here are ten athletes who are ready to make headlines this February.
Jordan Stolz talks with coach Bob Corby after winning the 1,500 meters during the U.S. long-track speed skating championships Friday, October 27, 2023, at the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee, Wis.
At just 21, Stolz is already being hailed as a generational talent. He specializes in the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m events. It is a rare range of dominance that saw him become the world champion in all three categories in both 2023 and 2024. He skates professionally for a Dutch team, immersing himself in the sport’s spiritual home to sharpen his edge. After making his debut in 2022, he arrived in Italy not just as a contender but as the man to beat on the long track.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 2, 2026, ITALY; Ilia Malinin (USA) practices at the Milano Ice Skating Arena in preparation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Mandatory Credit: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images
Known as the “Quad God,” Malinin is rewriting the physics of figure skating. The 21-year-old is the first skater in history to land all six types of quadruple jumps in a single program, a feat that seems almost video-game-like. Making his Olympic debut, he has already helped the U.S. secure gold in the team event. With a chocolate bar ritual before competitions and a pedigree that includes Olympic parents and a grandfather who skated for the USSR, he is aiming for individual gold to cap off his meteoric rise.
Nov 16, 2025; Kearns, Utah, UNITED STATES; Erin Jackson of USA receives the silver medal in the women’s 500m during the ISU Speedskating World Cup at Utah Olympic Oval. Mandatory Credit: Peter Creveling-Imagn Images
Jackson is a trailblazer who keeps getting faster. In 2022, she became the first Black woman to win individual gold at a Winter Olympics, a victory made even more emotional after teammate Brittany Bowe gave up her spot to let Jackson compete. Now 33, she returns as a flagbearer and defending champion. Her journey from inline skating to Olympic gold in just a few years is legendary, and she remains a threat to the podium every time she steps on the ice. She already competed in the 1,000 meters this week, finishing sixth.
Dec 7, 2025; Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, CANADA; Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States reacts during the second run of the women’s giant slalom race during the PwC Tremblant alpine skiing World Cup at Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
All eyes are on Shiffrin this week as she competes in the new women’s team combined event on Tuesday, February 10, partnering with downhill champion Breezy Johnson. The 30-year-old superstar is looking to add to her historic resume, which includes two Olympic gold medals and over 100 World Cup wins. After the combined event, she will shift her focus to the giant slalom on Sunday, Feb. 15, and the slalom on Wednesday, Feb. 18, aiming to put past Olympic disappointments behind her.
Feb 11, 2018; PyeongChang, South Korea; speaks at a press conference after winning the gold medal in men’s snowboarding slopestyle in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Gerard burst onto the scene in 2018 as a 17-year-old gold medalist who charmed the world with his laid-back “I just woke up” vibe. Now 25 and heading to his third Olympics, he is a seasoned veteran with X Games titles in 2024 and 2025. He has refined his slopestyle runs to be even more technical, proving that his teenage miracle run wasn’t a fluke but the start of a sustained career at the top of the sport.
Feb 5, 2026; Milan, Italy; Hilary Knight (21) of Team United States celebrates after scoring a goal against Team Czechia in women’s ice hockey Group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
You cannot talk about women’s hockey without talking about Hilary Knight. At 36, she is competing in her fifth Olympics, a staggering achievement in such a physically demanding sport. She has medaled in every Games she has played, collecting one gold and three silvers. Beyond her on-ice dominance, she has been a pivotal figure in the creation of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, ensuring the sport has a future long after she hangs up her skates.
Jan 11, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Maxim Naumov performs during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Naumov’s debut is undeniably the most emotional story of these Games. Competing just a year after losing both his parents, former world champions and beloved coaches, in a tragic plane crash, the young skater is skating for their memory. He was seen clutching a photo of them while waiting for scores at the U.S. Championships, fueling his performance with a raw, personal motivation that transcends sport. His resilience in simply making the team is worthy of a medal in itself.
Feb 7, 2022; Zhangjiakou, CHINA; Jaelin Kauf (USA) celebrates her silver medal during the medals ceremony for the women’s moguls freestyle skiing competition at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Zhangjiakou Medals Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
Speed is the name of the game for Kauf, who is one of the fastest mogul skiers in the world. The 29-year-old silver medalist is heading to her third Olympics with a new target: dual moguls. The head-to-head format makes its Olympic debut this year, and it suits her aggressive style perfectly. With parents who were both pro mogul skiers, she has skiing in her blood and is looking to turn her consistency into gold on the new stage.
Oct 29, 2025; New York, NY, UNITED STATES; Alex Ferreira, Freeski, speaks to the media during the U.S. Olympic Team Media Summit in preparation for the 2026 Milan Olympic Winter Games at Javits Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Ferreira is the halfpipe king. After silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022, he is looking to complete the set with a gold medal. His 2023-2024 season was flawless as he swept five World Cups, the X Games, and the Dew Tour. Known for his alter ego “Hotdog Hans” and his infectious energy, the 31-year-old is arguably skiing better now than he was a decade ago. He enters these Games as the clear favorite to dominate the pipe.
Jan 9, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Amber Glenn competes in the championship womens free skate competition during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images
Glenn is arriving at her first Olympics with massive momentum, having just won her third straight U.S. title. At 26, she is breaking the mold of the “teen phenom” figure skater, proving that power and artistry can peak later in a career. As an openly LGBTQ+ athlete who has been vocal about mental health, she sees her Olympic moment as a platform to represent more than just herself. On the ice, her triple axel makes her a rare threat capable of challenging for the podium.
Feb 5, 2026; Milan, Italy; Hilary Knight (21) of Team United States celebrates after scoring a goal against Team Czechia in women’s ice hockey Group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Team USA has always brought a mix of seasoned veterans and explosive new talent to the Winter Games. Whether it is Mikaela Shiffrin chasing history in a new event or Ilia Malinin defying gravity, this year’s roster is built on stories that go beyond just the medal count. The next two weeks in Italy will determine who turns that potential into history.
The post Team USA Athletes to watch at 2026 Winter Olympics appeared first on The Big Lead.
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Jordan Stolz (Speed Skating)
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Jordan Stolz talks with coach Bob Corby after winning the 1,500 meters during the U.S. long-track speed skating championships Friday, October 27, 2023, at the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee, Wis.
At just 21, Stolz is already being hailed as a generational talent. He specializes in the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m events. It is a rare range of dominance that saw him become the world champion in all three categories in both 2023 and 2024. He skates professionally for a Dutch team, immersing himself in the sport’s spiritual home to sharpen his edge. After making his debut in 2022, he arrived in Italy not just as a contender but as the man to beat on the long track.
Ilia Malinin (Figure Skating)
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[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 2, 2026, ITALY; Ilia Malinin (USA) practices at the Milano Ice Skating Arena in preparation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Mandatory Credit: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images
Known as the “Quad God,” Malinin is rewriting the physics of figure skating. The 21-year-old is the first skater in history to land all six types of quadruple jumps in a single program, a feat that seems almost video-game-like. Making his Olympic debut, he has already helped the U.S. secure gold in the team event. With a chocolate bar ritual before competitions and a pedigree that includes Olympic parents and a grandfather who skated for the USSR, he is aiming for individual gold to cap off his meteoric rise.
Erin Jackson (Speed Skating)
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Nov 16, 2025; Kearns, Utah, UNITED STATES; Erin Jackson of USA receives the silver medal in the women’s 500m during the ISU Speedskating World Cup at Utah Olympic Oval. Mandatory Credit: Peter Creveling-Imagn Images
Jackson is a trailblazer who keeps getting faster. In 2022, she became the first Black woman to win individual gold at a Winter Olympics, a victory made even more emotional after teammate Brittany Bowe gave up her spot to let Jackson compete. Now 33, she returns as a flagbearer and defending champion. Her journey from inline skating to Olympic gold in just a few years is legendary, and she remains a threat to the podium every time she steps on the ice. She already competed in the 1,000 meters this week, finishing sixth.
Mikaela Shiffrin (Alpine Skiing)
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Dec 7, 2025; Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, CANADA; Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States reacts during the second run of the women’s giant slalom race during the PwC Tremblant alpine skiing World Cup at Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
All eyes are on Shiffrin this week as she competes in the new women’s team combined event on Tuesday, February 10, partnering with downhill champion Breezy Johnson. The 30-year-old superstar is looking to add to her historic resume, which includes two Olympic gold medals and over 100 World Cup wins. After the combined event, she will shift her focus to the giant slalom on Sunday, Feb. 15, and the slalom on Wednesday, Feb. 18, aiming to put past Olympic disappointments behind her.
Red Gerard (Snowboarding)
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Feb 11, 2018; PyeongChang, South Korea; speaks at a press conference after winning the gold medal in men’s snowboarding slopestyle in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Gerard burst onto the scene in 2018 as a 17-year-old gold medalist who charmed the world with his laid-back “I just woke up” vibe. Now 25 and heading to his third Olympics, he is a seasoned veteran with X Games titles in 2024 and 2025. He has refined his slopestyle runs to be even more technical, proving that his teenage miracle run wasn’t a fluke but the start of a sustained career at the top of the sport.
Hilary Knight (Ice Hockey)
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Feb 5, 2026; Milan, Italy; Hilary Knight (21) of Team United States celebrates after scoring a goal against Team Czechia in women’s ice hockey Group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
You cannot talk about women’s hockey without talking about Hilary Knight. At 36, she is competing in her fifth Olympics, a staggering achievement in such a physically demanding sport. She has medaled in every Games she has played, collecting one gold and three silvers. Beyond her on-ice dominance, she has been a pivotal figure in the creation of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, ensuring the sport has a future long after she hangs up her skates.
Maxim Naumov (Figure Skating)
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Jan 11, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Maxim Naumov performs during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Naumov’s debut is undeniably the most emotional story of these Games. Competing just a year after losing both his parents, former world champions and beloved coaches, in a tragic plane crash, the young skater is skating for their memory. He was seen clutching a photo of them while waiting for scores at the U.S. Championships, fueling his performance with a raw, personal motivation that transcends sport. His resilience in simply making the team is worthy of a medal in itself.
Jaelin Kauf (Freestyle Skiing)
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Feb 7, 2022; Zhangjiakou, CHINA; Jaelin Kauf (USA) celebrates her silver medal during the medals ceremony for the women’s moguls freestyle skiing competition at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Zhangjiakou Medals Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
Speed is the name of the game for Kauf, who is one of the fastest mogul skiers in the world. The 29-year-old silver medalist is heading to her third Olympics with a new target: dual moguls. The head-to-head format makes its Olympic debut this year, and it suits her aggressive style perfectly. With parents who were both pro mogul skiers, she has skiing in her blood and is looking to turn her consistency into gold on the new stage.
Alex Ferreira (Freestyle Skiing)
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Oct 29, 2025; New York, NY, UNITED STATES; Alex Ferreira, Freeski, speaks to the media during the U.S. Olympic Team Media Summit in preparation for the 2026 Milan Olympic Winter Games at Javits Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Ferreira is the halfpipe king. After silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022, he is looking to complete the set with a gold medal. His 2023-2024 season was flawless as he swept five World Cups, the X Games, and the Dew Tour. Known for his alter ego “Hotdog Hans” and his infectious energy, the 31-year-old is arguably skiing better now than he was a decade ago. He enters these Games as the clear favorite to dominate the pipe.
Amber Glenn (Figure Skating)
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Jan 9, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Amber Glenn competes in the championship womens free skate competition during the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images
Glenn is arriving at her first Olympics with massive momentum, having just won her third straight U.S. title. At 26, she is breaking the mold of the “teen phenom” figure skater, proving that power and artistry can peak later in a career. As an openly LGBTQ+ athlete who has been vocal about mental health, she sees her Olympic moment as a platform to represent more than just herself. On the ice, her triple axel makes her a rare threat capable of challenging for the podium.
The view from the podium
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Feb 5, 2026; Milan, Italy; Hilary Knight (21) of Team United States celebrates after scoring a goal against Team Czechia in women’s ice hockey Group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Team USA has always brought a mix of seasoned veterans and explosive new talent to the Winter Games. Whether it is Mikaela Shiffrin chasing history in a new event or Ilia Malinin defying gravity, this year’s roster is built on stories that go beyond just the medal count. The next two weeks in Italy will determine who turns that potential into history.
The post Team USA Athletes to watch at 2026 Winter Olympics appeared first on The Big Lead.
Continue reading...
