With less than two years until the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, fifteen athletes have already secured their spots on Team USA. Their qualifications span snowboarding, curling, freestyle skiing, hockey, and biathlon. The full U.S. roster is expected to grow to around 200 athletes before the Games begin.
Snowboard Halfpipe: Kim Eyes Historic Third Gold
Chloe Kim, a two-time Olympic champion, was the first American to clinch her place. Ranked No. 1 globally, she confirmed qualification on April 1. Kim captured her seventh X Games title in January and a third world championship in March. In Milan, she will attempt an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic halfpipe gold.
Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air: Gerard Returns
Red Gerard, the 2018 Olympic slopestyle champion, earned his place by May 1 through world rankings. Currently ranked second worldwide, Gerard remains the highest-ranked American. At just 17, he became the youngest snowboarder to win Olympic gold. Since then, he has added consecutive X Games slopestyle victories, solidifying his role as a medal favorite.
Curling: Thiesse and Dropkin Break Through
Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin booked their Olympic debuts after years of near misses. They won the U.S. Olympic Trials in February, then secured a quota place by finishing fifth at the world championships in May. Their mixed doubles competition will open two days before the Olympic Ceremony, making them the first Americans to compete in Milan.
Freestyle Skiing: Experienced Champions Lead the Way
Four freestyle skiers earned qualification through international rankings: Alex Hall, Alex Ferreira, Jaelin Kauf, and Quinn Dehlinger. Hall, a 2022 Olympic slopestyle gold medalist, and Ferreira, a two-time halfpipe medalist, bring podium experience. Kauf, who claimed silver in moguls at Beijing 2022, and Dehlinger, a world champion aerialist, round out this formidable early roster.
Hockey: Six Stars Selected
On June 16, USA Hockey named its first six men’s players: Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy, and brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk. The NHL’s return to the Olympics for the first time since 2014 ensures a star-studded lineup. All six selected athletes will make their Olympic debut in Milan.
Family Ties and Milestones in Hockey
The Tkachuk brothers continue their father Keith’s legacy, becoming the first U.S. siblings named to an Olympic team since 1998. Hughes, winner of the 2024 Norris Trophy, may be joined by his brothers on the final roster. Eichel is poised to become the first U.S. athlete to appear in both Youth and Olympic hockey.
Biathlon: Wright Seeks Historic Medal
Campbell Wright, a 23-year-old biathlete, clinched qualification on August 29. Wright met the criteria with two World Championship silvers last season and became the only U.S. biathlete to qualify early. A former competitor for New Zealand, he switched allegiance in 2023, citing superior American facilities and support systems.
A Chance at U.S. Biathlon History
The United States has never won an Olympic biathlon medal. Wright, ranked 17th overall in the last World Cup season and top among men under 23, could change that. His breakthrough performances signal growing potential for the U.S. in a sport long dominated by European nations.
More Spots to Be Filled
Though these fifteen athletes represent an impressive start, many disciplines still await Olympic Trials or committee selections. Up to four Americans will be named in snowboarding slopestyle and big air. Additional skiers, curlers, hockey players, and biathletes will be confirmed through competition results leading into 2026.
From seasoned Olympic champions like Chloe Kim to rising stars like Campbell Wright, the early qualifiers highlight the depth and diversity of American winter sports. With more athletes to join the roster in the coming months, Team USA is already building momentum toward Milan and the pursuit of Olympic glory.
