Aidan Oldenburg Leads US Curling Team with Flair and Precision

The 24-year-old curler has become a fan favorite with his Rambo-style headband and well-rounded athletic skills.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Aidan Oldenburg, a 24-year-old American curler, has emerged as the face of the US curling team at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Known for his Rambo-style headband and diverse athletic background, Oldenburg epitomizes the professionalization of curling as a high-performance discipline while still maintaining a fun, relatable persona.

Why it matters

Curling has evolved from a niche regional sport to a global Olympic event, drawing in new audiences with its blend of physics, strategy, and drama. Oldenburg represents the sport's ability to balance elite-level competition with an accessible, everyman appeal, making him a poster boy for the growth and popularity of US curling.

The details

Oldenburg, the lead for Team Casper, wears a distinctive red headband that has become a rallying symbol for US curling fans. The headband started as a "bit of a joke" but has resonated with audiences, who have been spotted wearing similar headbands to support the team. Oldenburg's athletic versatility, including skills in pole vaulting, bowling, and even juggling machetes, has also drawn comparisons to other breakout US Olympians like gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik.

  • Oldenburg began wearing the headband in August 2025 after his team was eliminated from a curling tournament.
  • The US men's curling team defeated Czechia 8-7 in their first match of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.

The players

Aidan Oldenburg

A 24-year-old American curler who is the lead for Team Casper and has become a fan favorite at the 2026 Winter Olympics for his Rambo-style headband and diverse athletic background.

Stephen Nedoroscik

An American gymnast who was a social media sensation at the 2024 Paris Olympics for his goggles and other quirks, and who Oldenburg is being compared to as a breakout Olympic personality.

United States Curling Association

The governing body that oversees athlete development, national championships, and international competitions for curling in the United States.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, it's a really fun thing.”

— Aidan Oldenburg (Forbes)

“The headband, it's nice and it's cheap. It's pretty fun, too.”

— Aidan Oldenburg (Forbes)

What’s next

The US men's curling team will continue competing in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, with their next match scheduled for February 17th.

The takeaway

Aidan Oldenburg's rise as the face of US curling at the Olympics showcases how the sport has evolved to balance elite-level competition with an accessible, fun-loving spirit that resonates with new fans. His unique style and well-rounded athletic skills make him a poster boy for the growing popularity and mainstream appeal of curling in America.