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Halfway through the Winter Olympic cycle, nearly two years after the 2022 Beijing Games and just over two years before the Olympic 2026 in Italy, American women’s figure skating finds itself at a critical juncture. Will it manage to find an athlete capable of securing the country’s first Olympic medal in women’s skating in two decades? Or will it persist in missing the medal podium in one of the Games’ most esteemed events, while other nations claim the medals that once seemed like an American birthright?

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The U.S. drought in women’s Olympic figure skating is strikingly unexpected, especially when considering the dominant era of Michelle Kwan, Tara Lipinski, and Sarah Hughes. This extended absence is a stark reality, one that has baffled generations of American athletes who have tried and failed to end it.

America, which has produced more Olympic gold medalists in women’s figure skating than any other country—such as Tenley Albright, Carol Heiss Jenkins, Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill, and Kristi Yamaguchi—last earned an Olympic medal in this discipline at the 2006 Torino Games.

Reflecting on this, Heiss Jenkins remarked that if she had been told in 2006 that the U.S. would be shut out of women’s Olympic medals for nearly 20 years, she would have been incredulous.

Winter Olympic – Post-2006 Medal Distribution

Since Sasha Cohen won silver at the 2006 Olympics, 12 Olympic medals in women’s figure skating have been awarded. Of these, five have gone to Russian skaters, including the most recent gold and silver. South Korea, Japan, and Canada each have two medals, with Italy securing the 12th.

The events at the 2024 U.S. figure skating championships on Friday night did little to boost confidence in the future of American figure skating. Defending U.S. women’s champion Isabeau Levito, 16, suffered a severe setback, falling three times during her four-minute program and slipping to third place overall. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Amber Glenn claimed her first national title, despite a few errors, thanks to a stunning triple axel. Glenn also made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ athlete to win a U.S. women’s title.

“I do think that we are catching up for sure, Glenn said regarding the U.S. Olympic drought. As long as we continue to deliver more consistent performances at major events, I believe we could see a brighter future for women’s figure skating in the U.S.”

A significant boost to U.S. medal hopes might come if Russian skaters are barred from competing in the 2026 Olympics in Milan. The Russians will be absent from the Paris Games this summer due to the ongoing war with Ukraine, but the situation two years from now remains uncertain.

When it comes to Olympic women’s skating, Russia is always a major consideration. Ashley Wagner, a three-time national champion and 2014 Olympic team bronze medalist, has often highlighted the huge cultural difference between the U.S. and Russia. American parents, she notes, might hesitate to let their child sacrifice their life from a young age for a sport with uncertain rewards.

Winter Olympic – Wagner on the Impact of Training Intensity

Wagner attributes her long career partly to not overloaded with the sport, in contrast to the intense, often short-lived careers of Russian skaters. When you’re training so intensely from such a young age, it’s no surprise these girls burn out, Wagner explained.

In a text message on Friday night, Peggy Fleming described the disparity: Russian skaters are essentially professionals. Our skaters are athletes training on their own dime.

This individualized, fragmented approach is distinctly American and likely here to stay. In the U.S., skaters and coaches dispersed across various rinks nationwide, unlike the centralized system in Russia.

“Another factor impacting U.S. skating fortunes, according to Heiss Jenkins, is Title IX, the 1972 law that greatly expanded opportunities for girls and women in sports. There are many team sports options available now, she said. Figure skating can be quite solitary. Today’s kids often prefer being part of a team and being around their peers.”

Regardless of the factors at play, the challenge facing U.S. women’s figure skating is ongoing. Much can change in the next two years, but as Glenn, Levito, or whoever represents the U.S. in Milan approaches the stage, they will face one pressing question: Will you be the one to end the drought?

5 US Olympians to Watch for the Winter Olympic 2026 in Milan

These U.S. Olympians show brightly in Beijing and are set to make waves again at the next Winter Olympics. As the 2022 Games come to a close, attention turns to the Winter Olympic 2026 Games, which will take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, officially known as Milano Cortina.

Though it’s too early to predict the exact lineup for Winter Olympic 2026, we can make some informed guesses. Several promising young American athletes who emerged in Beijing expected to return and compete in Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026.

Chloe Kim, Olympic Snowboarding

At just 21 years old, this star is already a seasoned competitor, having taken part in both the 2018 and 2022 Olympic. In Italy, she has a strong chance of clinching a third consecutive gold medal in the women’s halfpipe, given how consistently she elevates her performance. The main factor will be how long she chooses to continue competing. If she makes it to the Winter Olympic 2026 Games, she will likely be the top contender for halfpipe gold. By then, at age 25, she could become the only female halfpipe athlete to win gold at both the youngest and oldest ages.

Erin Jackson, speed skating

At 29, Jackson emerged as an Olympic sensation in Beijing by securing the gold medal in the women’s 500m speed skating event. She exceeded expectations and demonstrated her readiness for the highest level of competition.

As the first Black American woman to medal in speed skating, Jackson is expected to return for the Winter Olympic 2026 Games. Having only taken up speed skating in 2018 and making her Olympic debut in PyeongChang, she now seems poised to defend her gold medal in Italy.

“Yeah, I don’t think I’m done yet, Jackson said on TODAY after her return. I’m just beginning to find my stride. With only a year and a half of feeling good on the ice, I want at least four more years.”

Jordan Stolz, Olympic Speed Skating

At just 17, Stolz made a notable impact in Beijing despite not winning a medal. As the third-youngest American male to compete in long track speed skating, the Wisconsin native finished 13th in the 500m and 14th in the 1000m, having set track records in both events during the Olympic trials.

There’s little doubt that Stolz, who will 21 at the Winter Olympic 2026 Games, is poised to become the next American speed skating star. With no American man medaling in the 500m or 1000m since 2006 and 2010, respectively, the U.S. is overdue for a skater of Stolz’s caliber. He is expect to a prominent figure in the sport for years to come.

Alysa Liu, Olympic Figure Skating

If you thought there wouldn’t be a younger athlete than Stolz on this list, think again. At just 16, Liu is making a similar ascent to stardom following a strong Olympic debut in Beijing, where she finished seventh in the free skate.

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By the time she competes in Italy in 2026, Liu will be entering her prime at 20 years old. While she will face tough competition from the three Russian women who finished ahead of her, all of whom were 17 or younger at the last Olympics, the U.S. is dedicating its resources to supporting Liu. Milano Cortina could be the moment when America returns to the top of the podium.

Winter Olympic – Hanna Faulhaber, Olympic Freestyle skiing

Here’s another U.S. athlete who, despite being too young to vote, made an impression in Beijing. At 17, Faulhaber placed ninth in the qualification round for the women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe and moved up to sixth in the finals, finishing ahead of all other Americans.

Faulhaber previously earned a halfpipe bronze at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics. By 2026, she will be 21 and could be contending for medals in Italy. Having finished fourth in the halfpipe at the 2021 World Championships, an Olympic medal in 2026 is certainly within her grasp.

Breezy Johnson, Olympic Alpine Skiing

At 26, Johnson competed in the 2018 Games, where she finished seventh in downhill and 14th in super-G. She aimed to add to her achievements in Beijing but was forced to withdraw due to an injury right before the Olympics. However, she remains determined to pursue her Olympic 2026 aspirations.

“While winning an Olympic gold medal has always been my dream, I have many other goals in ski racing, Johnson shared in an Instagram post. These are goals I can focus on over the next four years as I prepare to return, hopefully to the same hill that dashed my Winter Olympic 2026 hopes, for another chance at that gold medal. See you in 2026!”

Athletes to watch for at the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026 Games

Juraj Slafkovsky, Olympic Ice hockey

At just 17, he had an outstanding performance during the men’s tournament, despite being the youngest player on the ice. Leading the tournament with seven goals, he would have the MVP for Slovakia if such awards given. His exceptional play was crucial in securing Slovakia’s first-ever bronze medal in Olympic Ice Hockey.

The only potential obstacle to his return in Winter Olympic 2026 would be if NHL players are once again barred from participating. His draft stock surg dramatically during the tournament, and he is projected to a high pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.

Jordan Stolz, Olympic Speed Skating

Continuing with the theme of young athletes, Stolz had a standout performance at the Olympics. Competing in the men’s 500m and 1000m races, he didn’t crack the top 10 in either event, but his youth and potential make him a strong candidate for 2026.

Prior to the Games, Stolz had already started to make a name for himself in the 1000m, holding the fourth-best time of the 2021-2022 season. He also set an American record in the 500m with a time of 34.11 at the World Cup event in Salt Lake City in December. Given that this his international debut, it’s anticipated that his performance will continue to improve, and we can expect to see his name rise in the standings leading up to the Winter Olympic 2026 Games.

Winter Olympic – Kokomo Murase, snowboard slopestyle and big air

At 17, this snowboarder made a notable Olympic debut in the women’s slopestyle and big air events. She started with slopestyle, finishing 10th overall and achieving her highest score of 49.05 on her second run.

In big air, where she anticipated to be a strong contender, she secured the bronze medal with a combined score of 171.50. Although she might have aimed for more in Beijing, her international career is just beginning. She claimed the overall title in slopestyle and freestyle at the 2021-22 FIS Snowboard World Cup. Expect to see her as a top gold-medal contender in the big air event at the Winter Olympic 2026 Games.

Suzanne Schulting, Olympic Short Track

Schulting had a historic Olympics, winning four medals across five events. She earned her first medal in the women’s 500m, securing second place with a time of 42.559. Suzanne Schulting then successfully defended her title in the women’s 1000m with a winning time of 1:28.391, becoming the only skater to win gold in this event outside of South Korea or China.

She was also a key member of the women’s 3000m relay team that took gold with a time of 4:03.409. Schulting wrapped up her 2022 Winter Olympic Games campaign by winning a bronze medal in the women’s 1500m. Overall, she medaled in four out of the five events she competed in, with the only event she didn’t medal in being the mixed team relay.

No other female short track skater has ever won four medals in a single Olympics, and she also set a world record in the women’s 1000m race. While the Netherlands has traditionally excelled in long track speed skating, the future of short track looks promising with 24-year-old Schulting leading the charge.

Alysa Liu, Olympic Figure Skating

At 16, this figure skater made her Olympic debut at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games as the youngest athlete on Team USA. She executed all seven of her jumping elements in the free skate, including a triple axel, though it later deemed underrotated by the technical panel.

Liu made history as the first U.S. woman to land a quadruple jump in competition and the first woman worldwide to land both a quad and a triple axel in the same program. Although she has temporarily paused performing the quad, it remains a crucial element for U.S. figure skaters to master if they hope to compete with the ROC for medals in future Olympics.

She was the top American finisher, placing seventh with an overall score of 208.95. Liu, who claimed her first U.S. title at just 13, could return for the Winter Olympic 2026 at the age of 20.

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Jutta Leerdam, Olympic Speed Skating

Dutch skater Jutta Leerdam made a notable Olympic debut in 2022, finishing fifth in the women’s 500m and earning silver in the women’s 1000m with a time of 1:13.83.

She has secured three world titles, including the individual 1000m and two team sprint titles in Olympic Speed Skating, and also won the European Championships before the Olympic. As part of a new generation of Dutch speed skaters, Leerdam is poised to help maintain the country’s dominance in the sport, especially as veterans like Ireen Wüst approach the end of their careers. At 23, Leerdam is expect to return strong for the Winter Olympic.

Casey Dawson, speed skating

The speed skater’s journey to the 2022 Games nearly derailed by a positive COVID-19 test. Despite testing positive before the Olympic Opening Ceremony and struggling to get four consecutive negative tests, he cleared the protocols just before his 1500m race, arriving only 12 hours before the event—far from ideal for an Olympic debut. He finished 28th, notably using Haralds Silovs’ skates after his own gear lost in transit.

While his individual performance was challenging, he fared better in the team pursuit. Although the team surprised by the ROC in the semifinals, they regrouped and secured a bronze medal against the Netherlands.

At 21, he has only recently begun competing at the senior level, suggesting that his career is just beginning. Look for Dawson to make a strong return in 2026, leading the men’s team pursuit and competing in the 5000m and 1500m events.

Eileen Gu, Olympic Freestyle Skiing

Gu was undoubtedly one of the standout athletes of the 2022 Games. She made history as the first freestyler to win three medals in a single Olympics, a feat made possible by the inclusion of big air.

She excelled in her strongest event, the halfpipe, achieving the two highest scores of the day with a 93.25 on her first run and a 95.25 on her second. Although she narrowly missed out on a third gold medal, her final run in slopestyle secured her a place on the podium.

At just 22 in 2026, Gu will be aiming to defend her two Olympic gold medals and improve upon her silver in slopestyle.

Winter Olympic – River Radamus, Olympic Alpine Skiing

Radamus may have attracted attention with his distinctive hairstyles, but it’s his racing skills that will likely earn him a spot in Winter Olympic 2026. He narrowly missed the podium in the men’s giant slalom, finishing fourth, just 0.26 seconds behind. He also placed 15th in the super-G. In the team event, he excelled by winning all four of his races, contributing to Team USA’s fourth-place finish.

Having turned 24 during the Beijing Games, Radamus is expect to have one more strong chance to secure a podium finish in Milano Cortina in 2026.

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