Elite Athletes Set to Shine at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy
The 2026 Winter Games in Milano-Cortina, Italy, are not just about athletic prowess—they are also a showcase of some of the world's most captivating competitors. These elite athletes, ranging from speed skaters to alpine skiers, are poised to capture attention both on and off the ice and snow.
Stars with Style and Social Media Savvy
Many of the top contenders heading to the Games have already made names for themselves beyond their sports. Several work as models, gracing the runways of Milan, a global fashion capital. Others leverage social media to connect with fans, sharing glimpses of their personalities and training routines that delight millions of followers worldwide.
Highlighting 12 Standout Competitors
Here is a closer look at twelve of the most notable athletes expected to make waves at the 2026 Winter Olympics:
- Jutta Leerdam – A Dutch speed skater from 's-Gravenzande, Leerdam won silver in the 1,000 metres at the 2022 Beijing Games. She is engaged to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and aims for gold in the 500-metre and 1,000-metre races.
- Chloe Kim – This American snowboarder from Torrance, California, is a two-time Olympic medallist in the halfpipe with eight X Games golds. She is dating NFL star Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns.
- Taylor Lawrence – A British bobsledder and former Royal Marine Commando, Lawrence finished sixth in the four-man event at Beijing 2022 and seeks a podium finish in Milano-Cortina.
- Mikaela Shiffrin – Arguably the greatest women's alpine skier ever, Shiffrin hopes to become the first American to win three gold medals in alpine skiing at the Winter Games.
- Gus Kenworthy – A British freestyle skier from Chelmsford, Kenworthy won silver in slopestyle at Sochi 2014. He is an openly gay advocate for LGBTQ rights and has appeared in films and TV shows.
- Kaysha Love – An American bobsledder who started as a sprinter at UNLV, Love is a medal contender in monobob and two-person bobsleigh. She has modelled for Skims and earned World Cup silvers in Cortina.
- Eileen Gu – Born in San Francisco but competing for China, Gu is the highest-earning athlete at the Winter Games, with reported earnings of US$23 million in 2025. She works as a model and global brand ambassador.
- Dorothea Wierer – An Italian biathlete from Brunico, Wierer has bronze medals from the past three Winter Olympics and aims to upgrade on home soil after 17 seasons on the World Cup circuit.
- Tage Thompson – A Buffalo Sabres forward from Phoenix, Arizona, Thompson is noted for his performance this season with 29 goals and 58 points, making him a standout in Olympic hockey.
- Lindsey Vonn – At 41, this American alpine skier is competing despite a recent torn ACL. A three-time Olympic medallist, she has posed for SI Swimsuit and is currently single.
- Lisa Buckwitz – A German bobsledder who won gold at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, Buckwitz has used OnlyFans to fund her Olympic journey and posed for Playboy Germany in 2022.
Beyond the Competition
These athletes exemplify how modern Olympians blend sports excellence with personal branding and public engagement. From social media influence to modelling careers, they bring diverse stories to the global stage, enhancing the appeal of the Winter Games.
As the world tunes in to Milano-Cortina, these twelve stars are set to not only compete for medals but also inspire fans with their dedication, charisma, and multifaceted lives.
