American Skier Ben Ogden Wins Olympic Silver, Hopes to Inspire Next Generation

Ogden's backflip celebration marks a breakthrough for U.S. cross-country skiing after a 50-year medal drought.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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American cross-country skier Ben Ogden, 25, won a silver medal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games, ending a 50-year Olympic medal drought for U.S. men in the sport. Ogden celebrated his achievement with an impromptu backflip off the podium, hoping to inspire the next generation of American skiers. Ogden believes a breakthrough is now possible for the strong group of younger U.S. skiers he has raced against throughout his career.

Why it matters

Ogden's silver medal marks a significant milestone for American cross-country skiing, which has struggled to produce Olympic medalists in the sport for decades. His success, along with the rising talent of other young U.S. skiers, could help grow the sport's popularity and participation in the United States.

The details

Ogden finished the skiathlon race 0.8 seconds behind Norwegian star Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, who claimed his second gold medal of the Games. Ogden broke away from the other competitors in the final stretch and unleashed a powerful finishing kick, nearly catching Klaebo at the line. The last U.S. Olympic medal in men's cross-country skiing was a silver by Bill Koch at the 1976 Innsbruck Games.

  • Ogden won the silver medal on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
  • The last U.S. Olympic medal in men's cross-country skiing was a silver by Bill Koch at the 1976 Innsbruck Games.

The players

Ben Ogden

A 25-year-old American cross-country skier who won a silver medal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games, ending a 50-year Olympic medal drought for U.S. men in the sport.

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo

A Norwegian cross-country skiing star who won gold in the skiathlon event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games, his second gold medal of the Games.

Bill Koch

The last American man to win an Olympic medal in cross-country skiing, earning a silver medal at the 1976 Innsbruck Games.

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What they’re saying

“There's been a really strong group of younger men coming up through the sport that I've had the pleasure of racing against for my whole life. It just takes one of us to crack through to that next level. And then all of a sudden, it's like an onslaught of teammates following.”

— Ben Ogden, American cross-country skier (ironmountaindailynews.com)

“Yesterday, when I was up there getting ready to go on the podium, I thought to myself, man, no better opportunity to show off my hard-cultivated skills than right now. So I decided to go for it.”

— Ben Ogden, American cross-country skier (ironmountaindailynews.com)

What’s next

The U.S. will host the final World Cup event of the season at Lake Placid, New York, which Ogden hopes will help grow the sport's popularity in the United States.

The takeaway

Ogden's silver medal breakthrough could inspire a new generation of American cross-country skiers, as the U.S. team continues to produce rising talent that could challenge the Nordic skiing powerhouses in the years to come.