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Winter Olympic 2026 – Maame Biney, the first Black woman to join a U.S. Olympic Speed Skating team, has announced her retirement from the sport at the age of 24. In a heartfelt post on social media, she wrote, after 19 incredible years in speed skating, I am officially announcing my retirement. I am profoundly grateful for the journey this sport has taken me on and for the amazing people I’ve met along the way. Speed skating has given me once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, friendships that feel like family, and, most importantly, significant personal growth.

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“From the very start, my goal has always been to bring joy and inspire at least one person. I believe I’ve achieved that, and to me, it’s more valuable than anything else. Although I may not have accomplished everything, I set out to do in my career, the experiences, growth, and memories from the past two decades are irreplaceable.”

Biney was born in Ghana and moved to the D.C. area at the age of five. Shortly after, her father, Kweku, spotted a learn to skate sign and asked if she wanted to give it a try. Fast forward about 12 years, and Biney made her Olympic debut at the 2018 PyeongChang Games. Her dad cheered her on, holding creative signs, one of which read, Kick some hiney, Biney! She also achieved back-to-back world junior titles in the 500m event and made a second Olympic team in 2022, where she achieved her best individual finish of ninth in the 1000m.

Biney’s last competition at the elite level was during the March 2023 World Championships. She faced knee problems for two years before undergoing surgery in January.

Italy Olympic legend Arianna Fontana eyes two sports at home Games in 2026

Italian Arianna Fontana, who holds the record for the most Olympic medals won by a short track speed skater with 11, is venturing into long track speed skating this season. She aims to compete in both disciplines at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games, which will be held in her home country. The idea of pursuing both sports first occurred to her over five years ago while she was involved with the bid for the Milan-Cortina Winter Games.  

The IOC awarded the Winter Olympic Games 2026 to Milan-Cortina in June 2019, choosing it over a bid centered around Stockholm. I started thinking about a lot of things, like how many amazing things will happen at that Games, Fontana, 34, said Wednesday. My first Olympic Games was in 2006 in Torino. So, to be there again in Italy, 20 years later, and do something amazing, not just for me, but for everyone who’s been supporting me and following me. I started thinking what I could do, how to explore my limits.

She considered pursuing long track before the 2022 Beijing Winter Games but ultimately focused solely on short track, primarily due to the challenges of traveling to train for both disciplines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But right after Beijing, I met with my federation and the Italian Olympic Committee, and I said, ‘I want to do this, she recalled. I’m committed, and I’m ready to give it a shot. Fontana remembered participating in two long track races each year as a child, the last one taking place when she was around 12. Her first lap back on the big oval for training was in January 2023.

Senior Long Track Debut

She made her senior long track competition debut three weekends ago at a preseason event held at the Utah Olympic Oval near Salt Lake City, where she spends most of her training time alongside sessions in Montreal. During the event, she competed in the 500m (39.35 seconds), 1500m (1:57.85), and 3000m (4:12.58) on the world’s fastest ice at altitude.

These times would have ranked her second or third among Italian women in each distance last season, according to Speedskatingresults.com. To provide some context, the world’s leading female skaters finish the 500m in under 38 seconds, the 1500m in under 1:53, and the 3000m in under four minutes.

Long track races take place on 400-meter ovals, nearly four times larger than those used in short track. The skates for each discipline are also different.

“The long straightaway is something I’m still working on, Fontana said when asked about the most challenging aspect of long track. In short track, the movements are really fast, but in long track, I need to take my time, especially on the straightaway.”

Fontana is particularly focused on the two newest events in the Olympic long track program: the mass start, which features pack racing similar to short track, and the team pursuit, where three skaters from each country compete together.

Aiming for Winter Olympic 2026 Qualification

She aims to help Italy qualify for the Olympic women’s team pursuit for the first time. This event made its debut at the 2006 Torino Games in Italy, where the Italian men’s team famously secured gold.

Fontana plans to participate in selection races at the end of October in hopes of qualifying for the World Cups in long track. Additionally, she intends to compete internationally in short track this season.

Both world championships for these disciplines are scheduled for the same weekend in March—one in China and the other in Norway. She has yet to decide which championship she will attend if she qualifies for both.

Only two skaters have competed in both short track and long track at the same Olympics: Latvian Haralds Silovs in 2010 and Dutchwoman Jorien ter Mors in 2014 and 2018, each participating in both disciplines on the same day. Ter Mors notably won medals in each event in 2018.

In her Olympic debut in 2006, Fontana claimed a bronze medal in the 3000m short track relay, becoming the youngest Italian to win a Winter Olympic medal at just 15 years old. Throughout her five Olympic appearances, she earned at least one short track medal each time, including 500m gold at the last two Games. With this achievement, she surpassed retired cross-country skier Stefania Belmondo for the record of most Winter Olympic medals by an Italian athlete.

Winter Olympic Aspirations

Fontana did not compete in the 2022-23 season, having also taken extended breaks during the 2015-16 and 2018-19 seasons. She made her return at the world short track championships this past March, where she won bronze in the 1000m, finished fifth in the 500m, placed 14th in the 1500m, and contributed to the Italian women’s relay team, which secured sixth place.

If Fontana matches her medal totals from the last three Olympic 2026 three medals each time she will rise to second place on the all-time Winter Olympic medals list, just one medal behind record holder Marit Bjørgen, the retired Norwegian cross-country skier.

Fontana can also become the first person to compete in six Olympics in short track and the oldest woman to win a short track medal. You can also read Blondin and Fish Win More Titles at Canadian Winter Olympic Speed Skating Championships.

“I thought my last Winter Olympic Games would be in 2014 in Sochi, she said. So, I don’t want to claim that 2026 will be my final Games or my last race, because the last time I said that, I was completely mistaken.”

Life After the Ice: Transitioning from Winter Olympic Speed Skating to Retirement

Retirement from competitive sports is a significant transition, particularly for athletes like Olympic speed skaters, who dedicate years of their lives to achieving excellence on the ice. The journey to the Olympics is filled with rigorous training, intense competition, and personal sacrifices. Once that chapter closes, many athletes find themselves facing a new set of challenges and opportunities.

The Journey to the Winter Olympic

For most Olympic speed skaters, the journey begins in childhood, often with a passion for skating that develops into a commitment to training. These athletes hone their skills over years, often balancing school, work, and personal lives with grueling practice schedules. The thrill of competition and the desire for Olympic glory drive them to push their physical and mental limits.

The Emotional Toll of Retirement

Once an athlete retires, especially after a pinnacle experience like the Olympics, the emotional toll can be significant. Many skaters grapple with identity shifts, as they have spent most of their lives defined by their sport. The adrenaline of competition is replaced by the silence of retirement, leading to feelings of loss and uncertainty about the future.

Finding New Passions

The transition from the rink to retirement can also be an opportunity for exploration and growth. Many former speed skaters turn to coaching, sharing their expertise with the next generation. Others may find new interests in sports management, commentary, or fitness training. Some skaters leverage their platform for advocacy, focusing on issues like mental health awareness, youth sports development, or health and fitness initiatives.

Education and Career Development

Post-retirement, education becomes a focal point for many athletes. Pursuing higher education or vocational training can provide a new direction. Some speed skaters have gone on to earn degrees in sports science, business, or psychology, using their experiences to inform their studies. This transition can empower them to create fulfilling careers outside of skating.

Staying Connected to the Sport in Winter Olympic

Many retired speed skaters maintain strong ties to the skating community. Participating in alumni events, coaching clinics, or charity exhibitions keeps them engaged and allows them to share their passion with others. Some even continue to skate recreationally, enjoying the sport without the pressures of competition.

Mental Health and Support Systems

The mental health challenges faced by retired athletes are increasingly recognized, leading to the establishment of support systems tailored to their needs. Organizations that focus on athlete well-being are becoming more common, offering resources and counseling. Building a strong support network of fellow athletes, friends, and family can also help ease the transition into retirement.

Retirement from Olympic speed skating marks the end of a remarkable chapter, but it also opens doors to new opportunities. While the emotional challenges can be daunting, many former athletes find fulfillment in coaching, education, and advocacy. By leveraging their experiences and staying connected to the sport, retired speed skaters can redefine their identities and inspire future generations. The journey may be different, but the spirit of competition and passion for skating often remains a vibrant part of their lives.

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