Team USA announced its roster of 97 athletes for the 2026 Winter Olympics, set to compete in Northern Italy from Feb. 6-22. The announcement, released on Jan. 21, 2026, highlights a lineup that includes multiple Olympic gold medalists and historic firsts.
At a Glance
- 97 athletes selected for skiing and snowboarding
- Returning gold medalists: Mikaela Shiffrin, Chloe Kim, Lindsey Vonn, Red Gerard, Alex Hall, Nick Baumgartner, Jessie Diggins, Chris Lillis
- Olympic silver medalists returning: Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Alex Ferreira, Nick Goepper, Jaelin Kauf
- Selection described as harder than the Olympics themselves
- Strongest team sent to the Games yet, according to leadership
Announcement Details
The U.S. Ski & Snowboard teams unveiled their roster on Wednesday, Jan. 21, ahead of the Milano Cortina Games that will run across Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme. The announcement came from the U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt, who expressed confidence in the team’s impact in Italy.
Star Athletes
Several Olympians who have earned gold medals are set to return:
- Mikaela Shiffrin (Alpine skiing, 107 victories, 30 years old)
- Chloe Kim (Snowboard halfpipe, 25 years old)
- Lindsey Vonn (Alpine skiing, 41 years old, oldest woman to compete in the sport)
- Red Gerard (Snowboard slopestyle, 25 years old, youngest gold medalist in history)
- Alex Hall (Snowboard halfpipe)
- Nick Baumgartner (Snowboard slopestyle)
- Jessie Diggins (Cross-country skiing)
- Chris Lillis (Cross-country skiing)
Olympic silver medalists also returning include Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Alex Ferreira, Nick Goepper and Jaelin Kauf.
Historical Milestones
- Lindsey Vonn is making history as the oldest woman ever to compete in Alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics. After a partial titanium knee replacement in 2024 and a comeback from multiple ACL tears, Vonn said she wanted to finish her career on a high note.
- Mikaela Shiffrin suffered a life-threatening injury at the Stifel Killington Cup in November 2024. Despite that, she remains the most decorated alpine skier with 107 victories. In October 2025, she told News Of Los Angeles that she doesn’t feel she’s “at winning speed,” but remains nervous-a sign she cares about the competition.
- Chloe Kim is poised to become the first athlete to win three consecutive gold medals in the women’s snowboard halfpipe if she secures gold again. She told News Of Los Angeles that she approaches each Olympics with new goals and simply wants to enjoy the experience.
- Red Gerard has returned for his third Olympics. He became the youngest snowboarding gold medalist in Olympic history at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. In early January, he told News Of Los Angeles that while the Olympics are a bigger scale, the focus on snowboarding remains the same.
Quotes from Leadership
“In many ways, making this team is even harder than the Olympics themselves,” said snowboard program director Rick Bower, according to CBS Sports. “The depth of our field is incredible, and selection truly came down to the wire.”
U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt added, “I’m confident about the impact Team USA will make in Italy.”
Chief of Sport Anouk Patty noted, “This is one of the strongest teams we have sent to the Games. I am excited to cheer for them on the biggest stage in sports.”
Event Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Feb. 6 | Opening ceremonies in Milan |
| Feb. 6-22 | Competition across Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Valtellina, Val di Fiemme |
| Feb. 22 | Closing ceremonies |
Key Takeaways
- The roster of 97 athletes reflects a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent.
- Historic firsts include Vonn’s age record and Kim’s potential triple gold streak.
- Leadership emphasizes confidence and excitement for the team’s performance.
- The selection process was described as more challenging than the Games themselves.
- The 2026 Winter Olympics will be a pivotal moment for U.S. winter sports.
Additional Coverage
For ongoing coverage before, during and after the Games, visit News Of Los Angeles. The Milan-Cortina Olympics and Paralympics will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock starting Feb. 6.
