Meet the Hottest 2026 Winter Olympians

From stunning model to fiancee of boxing star and China's golden girl

Feb. 5, 2026 at 5:15am by Ben Kaplan

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The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina are underway, and several glamorous athletes are taking to the snow and ice. SunSport takes a look at some of the high-profile competitors to watch, including Lindsey Vonn, Mikaela Shiffrin, Jutta Leerdam, Eileen Gu, and Chloe Kim.

Why it matters

The Winter Olympics always feature a mix of elite athletic talent and celebrity appeal, and this year is no exception. These athletes have built impressive careers and large social media followings, making them among the most watched and marketable competitors at the Games.

The details

Lindsey Vonn, the 'Queen of the Downhill', is returning to the Olympics after a five-year retirement. Mikaela Shiffrin is aiming to become the most decorated American in alpine skiing. Jutta Leerdam, the 'world's hottest speed skater', is looking to improve on her silver medal from 2022. Eileen Gu, the poster girl of the Beijing Games, has switched allegiance from the US to China. And Chloe Kim is aiming to become the first snowboarder to win three consecutive gold medals in the halfpipe.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are currently underway in Milan-Cortina, Italy.
  • Lindsey Vonn first won downhill gold in 2010.
  • Vonn came out of a five-year retirement in 2024.
  • Eileen Gu ranked as the fourth-highest paid female athlete in the world in 2025.
  • Chloe Kim won gold in the Snowboard Halfpipe at the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics.

The players

Lindsey Vonn

A star of the Winter Olympics known as the 'Queen of the Downhill' who first won gold in 2010. She came out of a five-year retirement in 2024.

Mikaela Shiffrin

An American record will be on the line as she aims to become the most decorated American in alpine skiing in terms of gold medals.

Jutta Leerdam

Branded the 'world's hottest speed skater', she is looking to go one better than the silver medal she won in 2022.

Eileen Gu

The poster girl of the Beijing Games who ranked as the fourth-highest paid female athlete in the world in 2025, despite switching allegiance from the US to China.

Chloe Kim

The youngest women's champion in the Snowboard Halfpipe, she is aiming to become the first snowboarder to win three consecutive gold medals in the event.

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The takeaway

The 2026 Winter Olympics feature a star-studded lineup of glamorous athletes who have built impressive careers and large social media followings, making them among the most watched and marketable competitors at the Games.