Team USA Speedskater Withdraws From 10,000m Race

Casey Dawson pulls out of event, leaving no American competitors

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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U.S. speedskater Casey Dawson has withdrawn from the men's 10,000 meters event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, just hours before the race. Dawson, who finished eighth in the 5,000 meters last weekend, will instead focus on the team pursuit and individual 1,500 meters events. This leaves the 10,000 meters without any American competitors.

Why it matters

The U.S. has not won an Olympic gold medal in the 10,000 meters since Eric Heiden's victories in 1980, and the country's last medal in the event was Chad Hedrick's silver in 2006. Dawson's withdrawal means the U.S. will not be represented in one of speedskating's marquee events at these Winter Games.

The details

U.S. coach Gabe Girard said Dawson's decision "does not come as a surprise and always was a part of the options coming" for the Olympics. Among the top contenders in the 10,000 meters are Norwegian Sander Eitrem, who won the 5,000 meters in an Olympic record, and Italian Davide Giotto, the current 10,000 meters world record holder.

  • Dawson withdrew from the 10,000 meters just hours before the event on Friday, February 13, 2026.
  • The 10,000 meters race is scheduled to take place on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Casey Dawson

A U.S. speedskater who withdrew from the men's 10,000 meters event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Gabe Girard

The U.S. speedskating coach who said Dawson's withdrawal "does not come as a surprise and always was a part of the options coming" for the Olympics.

Sander Eitrem

A Norwegian speedskater who won the 5,000 meters event in an Olympic record time at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Davide Giotto

An Italian speedskater who holds the current 10,000 meters world record and won a bronze medal in the event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“The decision 'does not come as a surprise and always was a part of the options coming' for the Winter Games.”

— Gabe Girard, U.S. Speedskating Coach (nbcchicago.com)

What’s next

Dawson will now focus on the team pursuit quarterfinals on Sunday and the individual 1,500 meters event next Thursday.

The takeaway

Dawson's withdrawal from the 10,000 meters leaves the U.S. without a competitor in one of speedskating's marquee events, continuing a long drought for American skaters in the discipline. This decision highlights the strategic choices athletes must make in balancing their Olympic priorities across multiple events.