The 2026 Winter Olympics are underway in Italy, bringing together the world’s best winter athletes as Team USA looks to improve on its 2022 finish, when Americans placed fifth overall with 25 medals.
Unlike the Summer Games, the United States rarely dominates the Winter podium. Still, Milan Cortina features a deep roster of veteran champions, Olympic returnees, and emerging stars who could push the medal count higher over the next two weeks.
Here are 13 Team USA athletes expected to make headlines in Milan Cortina.
Lindsey Vonn (Alpine Skiing)
Lindsey Vonn returns to Olympic competition at 41 after retiring in 2019 and undergoing right knee replacement surgery in 2024.
She posted seven World Cup podiums this season and became the oldest alpine skier ever to win a World Cup race. Despite tearing her ACL and suffering bone bruising and meniscal damage in a late crash, Vonn plans to race downhill.
Mikaela Shiffrin (Alpine Skiing)
Mikaela Shiffrin enters Milan Cortina as the winningest alpine skier in history.
Now 30, Shiffrin already owns Olympic gold but left Beijing without a medal. She arrives in Italy after another dominant season and remains a contender across multiple events.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates (Ice Dance)
Madison Chock and Evan Bates compete in their first Olympics as husband and wife.
“We’re just at the very start of our season, building our programs,” Chock said. Bates added, “We feel like it’s unique, creative and something different.”
The pair already won team gold in Beijing.
Ilia Malinin (Figure Skating)
Ilia Malinin enters as the overwhelming favorite in men’s skating.
The 21-year-old is the only skater to land a quad axel in competition and holds the record for seven quad jumps in one routine. He arrives as a back-to-back world champion.
Alysa Liu (Figure Skating)
Alysa Liu returns to the Olympics after stepping away following Beijing.
“This time just feels so completely different. I know who I am as a person now,” Liu said. “I want to be here and I don’t want this to end.”
She became the first U.S. woman in 19 years to win a world title in 2025.
Connor Hellebuyck (Ice Hockey Goaltender)
Connor Hellebuyck anchors Team USA in net.
The Michigan native became the first American goalie to win NHL MVP and posted elite international numbers leading into Milan.
“I would probably say the underdog story,” Hellebuyck said of his career path.
Jordan Stolz (Speed Skating)
Jordan Stolz enters his second Olympics after sweeping World Cup titles in the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m.
He competes in four events and is among the favorites in each sprint distance.
Alex Hall (Freestyle Skiing)
Alex Hall credits his father for sparking his freestyle career.
“I loved watching videos of him,” Hall said. “It inspired me to try freestyle and try flips and tricks.”
Hall already owns Olympic hardware and returns chasing another podium.
Mac Forehand (Freeski Big Air)
Mac Forehand continues chasing his first Olympic medal.
He recently told NBC News he’s training a switch triple cork 1980 mute grab — a trick rarely landed in competition.
Chloe Kim (Snowboard Halfpipe)
Chloe Kim enters Milan as one of the Games’ biggest stars.
She became the first action-sports athlete to win three straight world titles and holds the women’s record for X Games superpipe wins. Despite tearing her labrum earlier this year, Kim says she expects to compete.
Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin (Mixed Doubles Curling)
Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin represent the U.S. in mixed doubles.
They won the 2023 World Championship and secured their Olympic berth after dominating U.S. trials.
Kaillie Humphries (Bobsled)
Kaillie Humphries competes in her sixth Olympics.
The 40-year-old races in monobob and two-woman events after switching from Team Canada to Team USA.
Mystique Ro (Skeleton)
Mystique Ro transitioned from track and field to skeleton and quickly emerged as a medal contender after winning silver at the 2025 World Championships.
Winter Olympics 2026: 13 Team USA Athletes to Watch in Milan Cortina