The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina are underway, and Team USA is arriving with high expectations, compelling personal narratives, and a mix of veteran stars and rising talents. Among the spotlight athletes are alpine skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin, who is chasing redemption after a disappointing showing in Beijing, and figure skating phenom Ilia Malinin, who faces a pivotal, career-defining moment in his Olympic debut.
Shiffrin, now 30 and competing in her fourth Olympics, enters the Games as one of the most decorated skiers in history, holding the record for the most World Cup wins. However, the 2022 Beijing Olympics were a low point: she arrived as a heavy favorite but suffered multiple “Did Not Finish” (DNF) results and left without a medal. The experience drew harsh criticism from some fans, with Shiffrin later recalling messages urging her not to return home empty-handed. That heartbreak has fueled a shift in mindset—she now emphasizes enjoying the sport and focusing on the process rather than external pressure. After overcoming injuries and a serious crash in late 2024, Shiffrin is poised to compete in events like slalom, giant slalom, and possibly the team combined, aiming to add to her existing Olympic medals (two golds and a silver from prior Games).
On the ice, 21-year-old Ilia Malinin—nicknamed the “Quad God”—carries immense expectations as the top-ranked men’s figure skater and a two-time world champion. Known for being the first to land a quadruple Axel in competition and routinely incorporating multiple quads (including six different types in one program), Malinin is a strong favorite for gold in men’s singles. This marks his first Olympics after controversially missing the Beijing team four years ago. He embraces the pressure, viewing it as motivation to perform at his peak, though he acknowledges the ups and downs of competition and even the challenges of breaking in new skates right before the Games. His technical brilliance and flair could not only secure a medal but also elevate figure skating’s profile.
Team USA’s contingent features other notable stories, including veteran ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates in their fourth Olympics (now as newlyweds), Lindsey Vonn’s comeback to alpine skiing, and the return of NHL players to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014. From the ski slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo to the rinks of Milan, the American team blends redemption arcs, breakthrough potential, and medal hopes as they compete on the global stage.
As the Games progress, Shiffrin’s quest to reclaim her dominance and Malinin’s high-stakes pursuit of Olympic glory stand out as defining narratives for Team USA in 2026.
