Bronze Medalist Ashley Farquharson Calls Luging a 'Side Quest' from Her Main Career Studying Business

The 26-year-old American athlete won bronze in the women's singles luge at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Ashley Farquharson, a 26-year-old American luger, won a bronze medal in the women's singles luge at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Farquharson, who is a business student at Purdue Global, says that training for the Olympics has been "not necessarily a distraction, but a side quest almost" from her main focus of studying business. She took a "little sabbatical" from her classes to compete in the Games, and plans to return to school just a couple days after returning home from the Olympics.

Why it matters

Farquharson's story highlights the challenges that elite athletes face in balancing their athletic careers with their academic and professional pursuits. As a business student, she has had to juggle the demands of her sport with the requirements of her degree program, demonstrating the importance of having diverse interests and a well-rounded approach to life.

The details

Farquharson, who was born in California and moved to Park City, Utah with her family when she was two, is a "firm believer in hobbies" and says that having something else to focus on besides just her sport has "helped [her] athletic career as well." She took a 10-week break from her classes at Purdue Global to compete in the Olympics, and plans to return to school just a couple days after returning home from the Games.

  • Farquharson won bronze in the women's singles luge on Feb. 10, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
  • Farquharson will start classes again on Feb. 25, 2026, just a couple days after returning home from the Olympics.

The players

Ashley Farquharson

A 26-year-old American luger who won a bronze medal in the women's singles luge at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. She is a business student at Purdue Global.

Jake Farquharson

Ashley Farquharson's older brother and a fellow luger, who was in attendance to watch her win bronze at the Olympics.

Purdue Global

The online university where Ashley Farquharson is studying business.

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What they’re saying

“It's honestly been a nice — not necessarily a distraction, but a side quest almost.”

— Ashley Farquharson, American Luger (PEOPLE)

“Having something to focus on, that's also making me a more well-rounded person, I think has helped my athletic career as well.”

— Ashley Farquharson, American Luger (PEOPLE)

What’s next

Farquharson plans to "see some family and really chill out" between now and when she starts classes again on Feb. 25, 2026.

The takeaway

Farquharson's story demonstrates the importance of balance and having diverse interests for elite athletes. By pursuing both her athletic and academic goals, she has become a more well-rounded individual, which has ultimately benefited her athletic career.