11 Florida Athletes Shine at 2026 Winter Olympics

From figure skating to speed skating, Floridians made their mark at the Milano Cortina Games.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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As the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics came to a close, a group of nearly a dozen athletes from Florida represented the Sunshine State on the world stage. From figure skater Andrew Torgashev to speed skaters Brittany Bowe and Erin Jackson, these Floridians competed in a variety of winter sports and achieved impressive results.

Why it matters

The strong showing by Florida athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics highlights the state's growing prominence in winter sports, which have traditionally been dominated by colder-weather regions. This success could inspire more Floridians to pursue winter sports and help grow interest and participation across the state.

The details

Among the standout Florida Olympians were figure skater Andrew Torgashev, who ranked 12th in the Men's Single Skating competition, and speed skaters Brittany Bowe and Erin Jackson. Bowe, a 4-time Olympian and 2-time bronze medalist, placed fourth in the women's 1,000-meter, 1,500-meter, and Women's Team Pursuit races. Jackson, the first Black woman to win Winter Olympic gold in an individual event in 2022, placed fifth and sixth in the women's 500-meter and 1,000-meter races, respectively.

  • The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics ran from Friday, Feb. 6 through Sunday, Feb. 22.
  • The 2026 Winter Paralympic Games will begin on March 6 and run until March 15.

The players

Andrew Torgashev

A 24-year-old figure skater from Coral Springs who ranked 12th in the Men's Single Skating competition.

Brittany Bowe

A 37-year-old speed skater from Ocala who is a 4-time Olympian and 2-time Olympic bronze medalist.

Erin Jackson

A 33-year-old speed skater from Ocala who made history in 2022 as the first Black woman to win a Winter Olympic gold medal in an individual sport.

Frank Del Duca

A 34-year-old bobsledder born in Fort Lauderdale who placed fourth in the 2-man Bobsleigh and 12th in the 4-man Bobsleigh.

Joshua Williamson

A 29-year-old bobsledder from Sanford who competed in his second Olympic Games this year.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The strong performance by Florida athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics showcases the state's growing influence in winter sports, which could inspire more Floridians to pursue these disciplines and help grow interest and participation across the state.