U.S. Curler Korey Dropkin Excited for 2026 Olympics

Dropkin says competing at the Winter Games has been a lifelong dream.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Korey Dropkin, a 30-year-old curler from Boston, is thrilled to be competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Dropkin, who has been curling since childhood, says the Olympics is "what I've been dreaming of" since watching the U.S. curling team win a bronze medal at the 2006 Winter Games. He will be competing in mixed doubles with partner Cory Thiesse, with whom he won gold at the 2023 World Championships.

Why it matters

Dropkin's journey to the Olympics highlights the growth and popularity of curling in the United States. As a "family sport" that Dropkin has been involved with since childhood, his selection to the U.S. Olympic team represents the continued rise of curling as a competitive sport in America.

The details

Dropkin, a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth, has been curling competitively for several years, but has found particular success in mixed doubles with partner Cory Thiesse. The duo won gold at the 2023 World Championships and are hoping for a podium finish at the 2026 Olympics.

  • Dropkin watched the U.S. curling team win bronze at the 2006 Winter Olympics, which inspired his dream of competing at the Games.
  • Dropkin and Thiesse won gold at the 2023 World Curling Championships.
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place in Milan, Italy.

The players

Korey Dropkin

A 30-year-old curler from Boston who has been curling since childhood and is fulfilling his lifelong dream of competing in the Olympics.

Cory Thiesse

Dropkin's partner in mixed doubles curling, with whom he won gold at the 2023 World Championships.

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What they’re saying

“I remember watching the [U.S. curling team] having the bronze medal hung around their necks. I was just like, 'Oh my God, that is so cool. An American team can win an Olympic medal. I want to be in those shoes and I want to be on the top of that podium and I want to be surrounded by those rings!'”

— Korey Dropkin (People)

“This is what I've been dreaming for. I'm thrilled. This is going to be a dream come true.”

— Korey Dropkin (People)

What’s next

Dropkin and Thiesse will continue training and competing in the lead-up to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, with the goal of earning a podium finish.

The takeaway

Dropkin's journey to the Olympics showcases the growing popularity of curling in the United States, as a 'family sport' that he has been passionate about since childhood. His selection to the U.S. team represents the sport's rise as a competitive discipline in America.