American Ashley Farquharson captures rare Olympic luge medal at Winter Games

Farquharson's performance marks just the second time an American has won an Olympic medal in the event.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Ashley Farquharson, an American luger, earned her first Olympic medal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Farquharson, who started sliding as an after-school activity in Park City, Utah, became emotional when she realized she had won a medal in the women's luge singles event. Her performance marked just the second time an American has won an Olympic medal in the event.

Why it matters

Luge is a niche sport in the United States, and American athletes have historically struggled to win medals at the Olympics. Farquharson's achievement is significant as it demonstrates the growth and development of the sport in the US, and could inspire more Americans to take up luge.

The details

Farquharson raced to a bronze medal in the women's luge singles event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Germany's Julia Taubitz won the gold medal, while Latvia's Elena Bota took the silver. Until Farquharson's feat, Erin Hamlin was the last American to earn a bronze medal in the event, which she did at the 2014 Sochi Games.

  • Farquharson earned her first Olympic medal on Tuesday, February 11, 2026 at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

The players

Ashley Farquharson

An American luger who earned her first Olympic medal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Julia Taubitz

A German luger who won the gold medal in the women's luge singles event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Elena Bota

A Latvian luger who won the silver medal in the women's luge singles event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Erin Hamlin

The last American to earn a bronze medal in the women's luge singles event, which she did at the 2014 Sochi Games.

Emily Fischnaller

A longtime U.S. teammate of Ashley Farquharson.

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What they’re saying

“It really didn't feel real. And then everyone meeting me on the ice, and the whirlwind it's been since then has really cemented it. For a couple seconds when I was coming up the outrun, I was like, 'that's not real.'”

— Ashley Farquharson (wfin.com)

“This was the dream. And now the dream comes true.”

— Julia Taubitz (wfin.com)

“Super happy for Ashley, very happy for USA Luge. I mean, we are the ones on the sled, but there's a team behind us with everything that we do. So, that's just a testament to all the work that everyone has put into it.”

— Emily Fischnaller, longtime U.S. teammate (wfin.com)

The takeaway

Farquharson's Olympic medal achievement is a significant milestone for American luge, as it demonstrates the growth and development of the sport in the US and could inspire more Americans to take up the sport.