Thirty-three is the lucky number for Team USA. This winter, the Olympics took place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo from February 6 to 22, 2026.
Throughout the 16 events, 232 Americans are competing. That’s the most athletes from one country! America sure has some talented athletes.
One of America’s athletes whom everyone is talking about, Lindsey Vonn, is a 41-year-old coming out of a six-year retirement. Vonn has suffered multiple injuries, which include a partial knee replacement, and recently, a torn ACL in a downhill crash. Additionally, Vonn still competed in the winter Olympics, but later suffered a “complex” left tibia fracture, a broken ankle, and a fractured fibular head/tibial plateau on top of her torn ACL.
Her story is inspiring young athletes in all sports, including junior Hannah Sampsel, a player on Bellefonte High’s basketball team.
“She inspires me by playing through injury and pushing herself to greatness. She taught me that no matter how many times I get injured, to get back up again,” Hannah said.
Another athlete that stood out was Ilia Manlinin, who did a quad axel while figure skating. Even though he didn’t place, fans are still showing him support so he can get back up again.
“Pressure from sports can prepare you for what you need to achieve, but it can also break you. At the end of the day, you have to get back up and learn from the past,” junior Madison Kellogg said.
Finally, 20-year-old Alysa Liu won two gold medals after reconnecting with the sport of figure skating. She focuses on the joy of skating while maintaining a “normal teen life.”
“Based on my own experience with basketball, I decided to switch my focus to school and softball, but later missed the fun of it all. After rejoining, I’ve discovered that I can do it all simultaneously without feeling burnt out,” junior Rorie Roan said.
Along with outstanding athletes, the women’s hockey team shut out Canada for the first time in history and won gold against Canada on February 19, letting up two goals over seven games and scoring 33. After not scoring at all in the first two periods, Hilary Knight sent the game to overtime, where Megan Keller scored the “Golden Goal”. Also on the team, Laila Edwards made history by becoming the first Black woman to win a gold medal with Team USA’s women’s hockey team.
For the men’s hockey team, NHL players are participating in the Olympics for Team USA for the first time since 2014 in Russia. They also won gold against Canada, even though Canada’s leading scorer, Macklin Celebrini, had five goals. Connor Hellebuyck didn’t let him score any, having 41 saves out of 42 shots. Ultimately, Jack Hughes scored the winning goal in overtime.
It was a historic year for Team USA at the Olympics, and a great representation of women in sports. Although it didn’t end in gold for everyone, it was a good two weeks of athletes showcasing their talents.