Speedskater Kristen Santos-Griswold eyes redemption at Milan Olympics

After a devastating crash cost her a medal in 2022, the American is determined to make the most of her second chance.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Kristen Santos-Griswold, a top-ranked short track speedskater, is competing at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics to win the medal that eluded her four years ago in Beijing. In 2022, Santos-Griswold was in position for a medal until she was bumped and crashed into a wall in the final lap of the women's 1,000-meter final. The loss took an emotional toll, and she even considered retiring, but she decided to keep competing and has since become an even stronger skater, winning multiple gold medals in major competitions.

Why it matters

Santos-Griswold's story resonates with many athletes who have faced heartbreaking setbacks, only to fight back and seek redemption. Her determination to overcome the disappointment of 2022 and make the most of her second chance at Olympic glory is an inspiring example of the perseverance and resilience required to succeed at the highest levels of sport.

The details

In the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Santos-Griswold was the second-ranked short track speedskater in the world and was in position for a medal in the women's 1,000-meter final. However, she was bumped by Italy's Arianna Fontana and crashed into a wall, falling to fourth place. The loss was devastating, and Santos-Griswold even considered retiring to focus on graduate school. But she decided to keep competing and has since become an even stronger skater, winning gold medals in the 2023 Four Continents Short Track Speed Skating Championships and the 2024-25 ISU Short Track World Tour.

  • In the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Santos-Griswold's medal hopes were dashed in the final lap of the women's 1,000-meter final.
  • In November 2023, Santos-Griswold won gold in the 500, 1,000 and 1,500 meters at the Four Continents Short Track Speed Skating Championships.
  • During the 2024-25 ISU Short Track World Tour, Santos-Griswold won four more individual golds and was the tour's overall champion and winner of the Crystal Globe.

The players

Kristen Santos-Griswold

A 31-year-old American short track speedskater who is competing in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics to win the medal that eluded her four years ago in Beijing.

Arianna Fontana

An Italian short track speedskater whose bump caused Santos-Griswold to crash in the 2022 Beijing Olympics women's 1,000-meter final.

Stephen Gough

The head coach for the U.S. short track speedskating team, who encouraged Santos-Griswold to continue competing after the 2022 Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“When we spoke, I was like, 'It's about to start being really fun.' It's not going to be easy, but you're in a place where you can win medals. And why wouldn't you ride this wave? Because when you stop skating, it's all over.”

— Stephen Gough, Head coach, U.S. short track speedskating (NBC News)

“I've been an emotional wreck up and down. That's something that I'm working on the most, it's my mental game. In this sport, it can be so unforgiving.”

— Kristen Santos-Griswold (NBC News)

“The last Olympics, I was so hyperfocused on each event, being nervous, sitting in my room, basically shaking waiting for a race to come up, even though I felt physically ready. It didn't go my way and it was so much wasted energy thinking about races and what to do that I missed the experience and let it really pass by. So I'm trying to switch that a lot and enjoy every day, not really think about the racing until it's time to race. Just do my best.”

— Kristen Santos-Griswold (NBC News)

What’s next

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The takeaway

Santos-Griswold's journey to redemption at the Milan Olympics is a powerful story of resilience and determination. Her willingness to confront her past disappointment and focus on the present has made her an even stronger competitor, and her success could inspire other athletes who have faced similar setbacks to keep pursuing their dreams.