54-Year-Old Lawyer Sets Record as Oldest American Winter Olympian

Rich Ruohonen, a personal injury attorney from Minnesota, made his Olympic debut at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Rich Ruohonen, a 54-year-old personal injury lawyer from Minnesota, became the oldest American to ever compete in the Winter Olympics when he made his debut for the U.S. curling team at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. Ruohonen, who has been trying to make the Olympic team since 1988, previously represented the U.S. at the World Championships in 2008 and 2018.

Why it matters

Ruohonen's achievement as the oldest American Winter Olympian is a testament to his perseverance and dedication to the sport of curling over the past four decades. His appearance on the Olympic stage at an age when most athletes have long since retired highlights the growing popularity and accessibility of winter sports, even for those later in their athletic careers.

The details

During Thursday's round-robin competition, Ruohonen's U.S. team trailed Switzerland 8-2 when he asked to be subbed in to throw the final two stones. The Swiss team agreed, allowing Ruohonen to officially compete in an Olympic event and trim the deficit to 8-3 before the U.S. conceded the match. Ruohonen is twice the age of his youngest teammate, 27-year-old Ben Richardson, and is older than the 38-year-old oldest curler on the U.S. women's team.

  • Ruohonen began curling in fifth grade in 1981.
  • He has been trying to make the U.S. Olympic team since the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.
  • Ruohonen previously represented the U.S. at the World Championships in 2008 and 2018.
  • He won a silver medal at the senior world championships in 2024 and a bronze in 2025.
  • Ruohonen made his Olympic debut on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Rich Ruohonen

A 54-year-old personal injury attorney from Bloomington, Minnesota who became the oldest American to compete in the Winter Olympics when he made his debut for the U.S. curling team at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.

Ben Richardson

A 27-year-old member of the U.S. curling team, making him the youngest teammate of the 54-year-old Ruohonen.

Aileen Geving

A 38-year-old member of the U.S. women's curling team, making her the oldest curler on the U.S. Olympic team.

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What they’re saying

“And they said, 'Go enjoy the moment.' I'd rather been up 8-2, but they said right away, 'Hey, we're going to get Rich in.'”

— Rich Ruohonen, Curler (CNN)

What’s next

The U.S. men's curling team will next compete against Canada on Friday, February 13 at 3:05 a.m. EST.

The takeaway

Ruohonen's achievement as the oldest American Winter Olympian showcases the growing accessibility and popularity of winter sports, even for those later in their athletic careers. His perseverance and dedication to curling over the past four decades is an inspiring story of an athlete realizing a lifelong dream.