Milano Cortina 2026: Team USA Announces Final Olympic Roster Selections

Team USA has officially announced the completion of its athlete selection process for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, with the final roster featuring a mix of veteran champions and promising newcomers across 15 different sports disciplines.

The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee confirmed that 230 athletes will represent Team USA when the Games begin on February 6, 2026. This marks the largest Winter Olympic delegation in U.S. history, surpassing the previous record of 222 athletes set at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.

"This team represents the depth and talent of American winter sports like never before," said Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. "We have medal contenders in sports where we've traditionally been strong, and we're also seeing breakthrough performances in disciplines where American athletes are just beginning to make their mark on the international stage."

The alpine skiing team will be led by three-time Olympic medalist Mikaela Shiffrin, who has won 15 World Cup races this season and enters the Games as a heavy favorite in multiple technical events. Joining her will be rising star River Radamus, whose recent World Cup victories have established him as a genuine medal threat in the men's giant slalom and slalom events.

In figure skating, the United States will field one of its strongest teams in decades. Nathan Chen, returning for his second Olympics after his dominant performance in Beijing 2022, will anchor the men's competition alongside 19-year-old sensation Ilia Malinin, whose quadruple axel has revolutionized the sport. The women's team features 2022 Olympic champion Alysa Liu making her return to elite competition.

The snowboarding and freestyle skiing teams continue to showcase American dominance in action sports. Olympic halfpipe champions Chloe Kim and Shaun White will compete in their respective disciplines, while the freestyle skiing team boasts depth across moguls, aerials, and slopestyle events.

Perhaps the most intriguing storyline involves the U.S. men's ice hockey team, which will feature a mix of NHL veterans and collegiate stars. The inclusion of several players from the 2022 championship team provides experience, while young talents like Boston University's Macklin Celebrini offer speed and skill that could surprise international opponents.

With the Milano Cortina Games set to begin in just over two weeks, Team USA enters with realistic medal expectations across multiple sports, aiming to improve upon their 25-medal performance from Beijing 2022.