The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee revealed its 232-athlete roster for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, highlighting strong representation from states like Colorado, Utah and Minnesota. Notable figures include alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin and cross-country star Jessie Diggins, both preparing for pivotal appearances. The games begin February 6 in Italy, featuring both veterans and debutants across snow sports.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced the Team USA roster on January 26 for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, set to run from February 6 to 22. This 232-athlete lineup showcases the nation's depth in winter sports, with Colorado leading at 31 athletes, followed by Utah with 17 and Minnesota ties numbering 37.
Alpine skiing standout Mikaela Shiffrin, from Edwards, Colorado, returns after rebuilding from injuries and non-finishes at the 2022 Beijing Games. She has secured recent World Cup slalom victories and giant slalom podiums. "I think the one thing you can expect from the Olympics is that things are just not really going to go according to your plan," Shiffrin said during a press call. "So, you got to roll with the punches and have a really good open mind."
Cross-country skiing features Jessie Diggins of Afton, Minnesota, in her fourth and final Olympics as the most decorated U.S. athlete in the discipline. Rosie Brennan, 37, from Park City, Utah, earns her third Games appearance, training at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center. Coach Liz Stephen praised her: "We’re all so thrilled for Rosie to have just been named to her third Games. No one works harder than Rosie."
Nordic combined sees debutant Niklas Malacinski, 22, from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the 2024 U.S. champion and top American on the World Cup circuit. "I'm really looking forward to just going there and really kind of embracing the environment," he said while training in Austria. Ben Loomis, also from Park City, qualifies for his third Olympics, splitting time between Utah and Norway.
Biathlete Deedra Irwin, a former Michigan Tech athlete, aims to build on her seventh-place finish in 2022, the best ever for an American. She credits supportive communities: "Dream big and give yourself a shot."
Hockey forward Hilary Knight from Sun Valley, Idaho, enters her fifth Games, while new sport ski mountaineering includes Cam Smith of Crested Butte, Colorado, and Anna Gibson of Teton Village, Wyoming, who won a December relay gold. Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club director Dave Stewart emphasized community support: "The support of the community is huge."
Park City, Utah, boasts 11 athletes despite its small population, leveraging 2002 Olympic facilities. Minnesota connections span hockey, curling—all 11 U.S. curlers based there—and speed skating. Lindsey Vonn, 41, from Burnsville, returns for a fifth Olympics on familiar Cortina courses.
The roster blends experience with fresh talent, promising competitive showings in snowboarding, freestyle and more.
