Cincinnati Athletes Shine at Olympics Aerials Competition

Three Team USA stars hail from Ohio city, thanks to recruiter John Curran

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The men's aerials competition at the Olympics will feature several athletes from Cincinnati, Ohio, highlighting the city's surprising contribution to the sport. While many members of the U.S. ski team come from traditional skiing hotbeds, three American stars - Quinn Dehlinger, Connor Curran, and Nick Goepper - are from the Cincinnati area, thanks to the efforts of former Team USA recruiter John Curran.

Why it matters

Cincinnati is not typically known as a hub for winter sports, but the success of these athletes from the Ohio city at the Olympics showcases the talent that can be found in unexpected places. Curran's work as a recruiter has helped uncover skiing talent in the region and provided opportunities for these athletes to compete at the highest levels.

The details

John Curran, a former Team USA recruiter for freestyle and aerials skiing, discovered Dehlinger, Curran, and Goepper and helped them develop their skills and get involved in the sport. Curran's son, Connor, is one of the Cincinnati-area athletes competing for gold in the aerials event. The athletes credit Curran's influence and the ability to train at facilities like Mont Chalet near Cleveland as key factors in their development.

  • The men's aerials competition at the 2026 Olympics in Italy will take place on Thursday.
  • Curran has been involved in recruiting and developing skiing talent in the Cincinnati area for quite a few years.

The players

John Curran

A former Team USA recruiter for freestyle and aerials skiing who discovered several top athletes from the Cincinnati area.

Quinn Dehlinger

A Team USA aerials skier from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Connor Curran

A Team USA aerials skier and the son of John Curran, competing for gold at the 2026 Olympics.

Nick Goepper

A Team USA halfpipe skier from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Carey Curran

The mother of Connor Curran, proud of her son's Olympic achievement.

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What they’re saying

“Shoutout to the whole 513 area code.”

— Quinn Dehlinger, Team USA Aerials Athlete (wbal.com)

“Big mistake, we have a lot of great athletes in Cincinnati.”

— John Curran, Former Team USA Recruiter (wbal.com)

“Like, I was always around all the athletes and watching them jump, and it just looked crazy to me. And I just always wanted to do it after seeing all the athletes he recruited, progress and get to go to the Olympics. It was very inspiring.”

— Connor Curran, Team USA Aerials Athlete (wbal.com)

“This has been his dream since he was 10 years old.”

— Carey Curran, Mother of Connor Curran (wbal.com)

What’s next

The men's aerials competition at the 2026 Olympics in Italy will take place on Thursday, where the Cincinnati-area athletes will compete for gold medals.

The takeaway

The success of these Cincinnati-area athletes at the Olympics showcases the talent that can be found in unexpected places, thanks to the efforts of dedicated recruiters like John Curran. Their achievements highlight the importance of providing opportunities and support for young athletes, even in regions not traditionally known for winter sports.