Ben Ogden Ends U.S. 50-Year Cross-Country Sprint Medal Drought

American skier wins silver in Men's Sprint Classic at 2026 Milan Cortina Games

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Ben Ogden, a 24-year-old cross-country skier from Pueblo, Colorado, won the silver medal in the Men's Sprint Classic event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, ending a 50-year medal drought for the United States in the discipline.

Why it matters

Cross-country skiing has long been a weak spot for the U.S. Olympic team, with the last American medal in the sprint event coming in 1976. Ogden's silver medal is a significant breakthrough that could inspire more American athletes to take up the sport and help grow its popularity in the country.

The details

Ogden finished second to Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo in the final, marking the first American medal in the cross-country sprint since 1976. Ogden's performance capped a strong showing for the U.S. cross-country ski team, which also had several other top-10 finishes in the Milan Cortina Games.

  • The Men's Sprint Classic event took place on February 10, 2026 at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
  • The last time an American won a medal in the cross-country sprint was in 1976.

The players

Ben Ogden

A 24-year-old cross-country skier from Pueblo, Colorado who won the silver medal in the Men's Sprint Classic event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo

A Norwegian cross-country skier who won the gold medal in the Men's Sprint Classic event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“This medal means everything to me and to the entire U.S. cross-country ski team. We've been working so hard to get back on the podium, and I'm thrilled to be the one to finally do it.”

— Ben Ogden (koaa.com)

What’s next

Ogden and the U.S. cross-country ski team will look to build on this success at future major international competitions, including the 2027 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships and the 2028 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan.

The takeaway

Ben Ogden's silver medal in the cross-country sprint event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games marks a significant milestone for American cross-country skiing, ending a 50-year drought and providing hope that the U.S. can become a more competitive force in the sport on the global stage.