Minnesota is sending 24 athletes to represent Team USA at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, second only to Colorado's 30. The delegation includes stars like Jessie Diggins and Lindsey Vonn in their final Olympics, competing in events from hockey to curling. The opening ceremony is set for February 6, 2026.
The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games will feature strong representation from Minnesota, with 24 athletes joining Team USA across various winter sports. This marks a significant showing for the North Star State, trailing only Colorado in contributions to the U.S. team. Minnesota's winter sports culture, from local hockey rinks to curling clubs, has clearly fostered this talent pool.
Highlights include cross-country skier Jessie Diggins from Afton, a three-time Olympian and the most decorated in U.S. history, who announced her retirement at the end of 2026, making this her final Games. She has previously won gold, silver, and bronze medals. Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, a four-time Olympian from Minnesota, will also compete in her last Olympics after returning to the sport in 2024 following a five-year retirement due to injuries.
Ice hockey dominates the roster, with players like Brock Faber (Maple Grove), Taylor Heise (Lake City), Jake Oettinger (Lakeville), Kelly Pannek (Plymouth, past gold and silver medalist), Lee Stecklein (Roseville, past gold and two silvers), and Grace Zumwinkle (Excelsior, past silver). Other notable athletes include biathletes Lucinda Anderson (Golden Valley) and Margie Freed (Apple Valley); speedskaters Giorgia Birkeland (White Bear Lake) and Greta Myers (Lino Lakes); curlers Aileen Geving (Duluth), Aidan Oldenburg (Mapleton), Tabitha Peterson Lovick (Eagan), Rich Ruohonen (Brooklyn Park), and Cory Thiesse (Duluth); alpine skier Paula Moltzan (Lakeville); cross-country skier Zak Ketterson (Bloomington); snowboarder Iris Pflum (Minneapolis); and freestyle skier Jonnor Ralph.
The Games, spanning February 6 to 22, 2026, in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, promise exciting competitions on snow and ice. Minnesotans will compete in biathlon, cross-country skiing, curling, speedskating, alpine skiing, ice hockey, snowboarding, and freestyle skiing.
