Colorado Athletes Shine at Winter Olympics

Jaccob Slavin, Alysa Liu, and other Coloradans win gold medals in Italy

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Colorado athletes had a standout performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, with several gold medal wins. Erie native Jaccob Slavin was part of the first U.S. men's hockey team to win gold since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team that first convened in Colorado Springs. Other Colorado medalists included figure skater Alysa Liu, moguls skier Elizabeth Lemley, and halfpipe snowboarder Alexander Ferreira.

Why it matters

The success of Colorado athletes at the Winter Olympics showcases the state's strong winter sports culture and the impact of its Olympic training facilities. It also highlights the state's continued prominence in producing world-class winter athletes across a variety of disciplines.

The details

In addition to Slavin's hockey gold, other Colorado medalists included: Alysa Liu, the first U.S. woman to win figure skating gold in 22 years; moguls skier Elizabeth Lemley; halfpipe snowboarder Alexander Ferreira; and pairs skaters Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea, who helped the U.S. win team figure skating gold. Lindsey Vonn of Vail also competed despite an injury. Other Colorado athletes like cross-country skier Hailey Swirbul and the four-man bobsled team with Landon Powell narrowly missed the podium.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics took place in Italy.
  • The U.S. men's hockey team won gold for the first time since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team that first convened in Colorado Springs.
  • Alysa Liu's figure skating gold was the first for a U.S. woman in 22 years.

The players

Jaccob Slavin

An Erie native who played at Colorado College and was part of the first gold-medal winning United States men's hockey team since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team.

Alysa Liu

A figure skater who formerly trained in Colorado Springs and resided at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, winning the first U.S. women's figure skating gold in 22 years.

Elizabeth Lemley

A moguls skier from Vail who won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Alexander Ferreira

A halfpipe snowboarder from Aspen who won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Lindsey Vonn

A skier from Vail who competed at the 2026 Winter Olympics despite an injury.

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What they’re saying

“Erie native Jaccob Slavin, who played at Colorado College, was part of the first gold-medal winning United States men's hockey team since the 1980 Miracle on Ice team that first convened in Colorado Springs.”

— Brent Briggeman, Author (gazette.com)

The takeaway

Colorado's strong winter sports culture and Olympic training facilities continue to produce world-class athletes who excel on the global stage. The state's athletes showcased their dominance across a variety of winter sports disciplines at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.