Colorado Athletes Wrap Up Strong Performances at 2026 Winter Olympics

Alev records top-15 finish, Irving shows grit in halfpipe final despite injury

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The final weekend of competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics saw Colorado athletes deliver impressive results, with former Buff Alvar Alev finishing 15th in the grueling 50K classic mass start race and CU alum Svea Irving competing in the women's freestyle halfpipe final despite suffering a rib injury on her first run.

Why it matters

The performances of Colorado's athletes at the Winter Olympics showcase the strength of the university's sports programs and the determination of its student-athletes to compete at the highest levels of international competition.

The details

Alev, a former Buff, finished 15th in the men's 50K classic mass start, crossing the line just over eight minutes behind Norway's Johannes Klæbo, who won his sixth gold medal of the Games. Colorado freshman Jakob Moch also competed in the event, finishing 36th. In the women's freestyle halfpipe final, CU alum Svea Irving took a hard fall on her first run, injuring her ribs, but returned for her third attempt, landing the same trick where she had fallen before.

  • The 50K classic mass start race took place on Friday, February 21, 2026.
  • The women's freestyle halfpipe final was originally scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2026, but was postponed due to weather and took place on Sunday, February 23, 2026.

The players

Alvar Alev

A former University of Colorado athlete who competed in the men's 50K classic mass start at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Johannes Klæbo

A Norwegian cross-country skier who won his sixth gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics in the men's 50K classic mass start.

Jakob Moch

A Colorado freshman who competed in the men's 50K classic mass start at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Svea Irving

A University of Colorado alum who competed in the women's freestyle halfpipe final at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“I'm proud of how I was able to finish the race despite the injury. It was a tough decision, but I knew I had to give it one more try.”

— Svea Irving (Instagram)

What’s next

The Colorado athletes will return to Boulder this week to prepare for the Buffaloes' postseason push.

The takeaway

The performances of Colorado's athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics demonstrate the strength and resilience of the university's sports programs, as well as the determination of its student-athletes to compete at the highest levels of international competition.