Skeleton Racers Showcase Fearless Personas at Milan Cortina Olympics

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Skeleton racers at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are using their helmets to express themselves, with designs ranging from political statements to national pride and fearless personas. Competitors from around the world, including Belgium, Canada, the United States, Israel, China, South Korea, Puerto Rico, Australia, and Ukraine, have showcased their unique helmet styles during training sessions.

Why it matters

Skeleton racing, with its high speeds and daring maneuvers, attracts athletes who want to showcase their bold and fearless personalities. The helmets provide a canvas for these athletes to make personal and cultural statements, adding to the excitement and spectacle of the Winter Olympics.

The details

Skeleton racers have adorned their helmets with a variety of designs, from the Belgian Kim Meylemans' sleek and minimalist look to the more expressive helmets of Canada's Hallie Clarke and the United States' Mystique Ro. Israel's Jared Firestone, China's Lin Qinwei, and South Korea's Hong Sujung have also showcased their national pride through their helmet designs. Meanwhile, athletes like the United States' Austin Florian, Puerto Rico's Kellie Delka, Canada's Jane Channell, Australia's Nicholas Timmings, and Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych have opted for more daring and fearless personas on their helmets.

• The 2026 Winter Olympics are taking place in Milan Cortina, Italy.
• Skeleton training sessions were held on February 9 and 10, 2026.