Black Athletes Shine at 2026 Winter Olympics

A talented group of Black American athletes are capturing attention and medals in winter sports disciplines.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo heat up, a talented group of Black American athletes are making history and capturing attention not just for their elite performances, but for the barriers they are dismantling in winter sports. These athletes represent a powerful blend of speed, strength, skill and cultural significance, blazing trails in disciplines from skeleton to speed skating, bobsled to ice hockey.

Why it matters

The presence and success of these Black athletes at the Winter Olympics represents a significant shift in the diversity and representation of winter sports, which have traditionally been dominated by white athletes. Their achievements are inspiring a new generation of young athletes from underrepresented communities to see the possibilities in winter sports.

The details

Among the standout Black athletes are speed skater Erin Jackson, the first Black woman to win an individual Winter Olympic gold medal; ice hockey player Laila Edwards, the first Black woman to represent the U.S. on the women's Olympic hockey team; skeleton racers Mystique Ro and Kelly Curtis, who have found success in a sport historically dominated by European and North American rivals; and bobsledders Elana Meyers Taylor, Kaysha Love, Azaria Hill, and Jasmine Jones, who are bringing track and field roots to winter sliding sports.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are taking place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
  • Erin Jackson won the 500-meter speed skating gold medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
  • Laila Edwards made history by becoming the first Black woman to represent the United States on the women's Olympic hockey team in 2026.
  • Mystique Ro won gold in the mixed team event and silver individually at the 2025 World Championships in skeleton racing.
  • Kelly Curtis made history at the 2022 Winter Olympics as the first Black athlete to represent the United States in Olympic skeleton.

The players

Erin Jackson

A long-track speed skating star from Florida who became the first Black woman to win an individual Winter Olympic gold medal in 2022. She is returning to defend her edge in the 500-meter and 1,000-meter events.

Laila Edwards

A towering forward from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, who made history by becoming the first Black woman to represent the United States on its women's Olympic hockey team.

Mystique Ro

A 31-year-old former track and field star from Nokesville, Virginia, who is one of the standout U.S. contenders in skeleton racing. She captured gold in the mixed team event and silver individually at the 2025 World Championships.

Kelly Curtis

A former heptathlete and standout in the U.S. Air Force World Class Athlete Program, who made history at the 2022 Winter Olympics as the first Black athlete to represent the United States in Olympic skeleton.

Elana Meyers Taylor

One of the most decorated U.S. winter athletes ever, returning for her fifth Olympic Games in both the two-woman and monobob events.

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The takeaway

The success of these Black athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics represents a significant step forward in the diversity and representation of winter sports, breaking down barriers and inspiring the next generation of young athletes from underrepresented communities to pursue their dreams on the ice and snow.