Exciting Athletes to Keep an Eye on at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina
The countdown to the Winter Olympics has begun, with the Opening Ceremony for **Milan-Cortina 2026** scheduled for this Friday. The competition will intensify over the weekend as skiing events and the highly anticipated ice hockey tournament commence. A record 116 medal events across 16 sports are set to unfold from February 6 to 22, marking the most extensive Winter Olympics in history.
Viewers in the U.S. can catch the games on Peacock or NBC, while European audiences can access coverage via Warner Bros. Discovery streamers and public broadcasters. As crowds gather at various icy venues in northern Italy, attention is drawn to several athletes expected to make headlines over the next two weeks. Here’s a look at ten notable competitors who could achieve breakout status post-Olympics.
Lindsey Vonn
Event: Women’s downhill skiing
Lindsey Vonn stands as one of the most recognized figures at the 2026 Winter Olympics. A celebrated alpine ski racing star, she boasts multiple World Cup victories and an Olympic gold medal from the 2010 games, along with two bronzes. At age 41, Vonn became the oldest winner of a downhill skiing World Cup. Despite suffering a ruptured ACL in a crash on January 30, she aims to compete this Sunday in the women’s downhill. With Hollywood representation, she may leverage her athletic career into further acting opportunities once her snow career concludes.
Agent: Sue Dorf/Mark Ervin, WME/IMG
Matthew and Brady Tkachuk
Event: Men’s ice hockey
Matthew and Brady Tkachuk are set to lead Team USA in men’s ice hockey, aiming for the nation’s first Olympic gold in this event since 1980’s “Miracle on Ice.” Matthew has achieved back-to-back Stanley Cup victories with the Florida Panthers, while Brady serves as captain for the Ottawa Senators. Their dynamic duo complements another pair of brothers on the team, Jack and Quinn Hughes. Off the rink, they co-host a video podcast, Wingmen with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, and have appeared on the popular sports podcast, New Heights.
Agent: Craig Oster, Newport Sports Management
Tomàs-Llorenc Guarino Sabaté
Event: Figure skating
Tomàs-Llorenc Guarino Sabaté recently gained attention after a dispute with Universal Pictures over copyright infringement related to his figure skating performances. Known for his vibrant routines featuring a Minions medley, he has since received permission from Universal to perform the music amid public outcry. Whether he can turn this attention into a successful Olympic campaign remains to be seen.
Chloe Kim
Event: Snowboarding
At just 25, Chloe Kim is a dominant force in winter sports with two Olympic golds in halfpipe competition, her first at the age of 17 in Pyeongchang. As a highly marketable athlete, a documentary about her life is in production, and she also gained fame as a contestant on The Masked Singer. In Milan-Cortina, Kim aims to make history by becoming the first female athlete to win Olympic gold in the halfpipe three times consecutively.
Agents: David Park, Theresa Peters, Lauren Nogy, Michelle Kim – UTA
Manager: Jeanne Yang, Anonymous Content
Ilia Malinin
Event: Figure skating
Ilia Malinin, a rising star in figure skating, has already made waves with his exceptional performances and is drawing comparisons to Olympic greats such as Michael Phelps. Known as the “Quad God,” Malinin’s confidence and skill make him a strong contender at the Milan-Cortina Games, where he is anticipated to shine.
Agents: Ari Zakarian, Ari Xtreme; Sheryl Shade, Shade Global
Jordan Stolz
Event: Speed skating
Jordan Stolz, who turned pro just six years ago, is touted as a potential breakout star in speed skating. After becoming the youngest single-distance world champion in history in 2023, he is favored to win in multiple race categories at the Olympics. Despite his dominance, Stolz seeks greater recognition in the U.S., particularly as he competes in Italy.
Agent: Janey Miller, Octagon
Francesco Friedrich
Event: Bobsled
German bobsledder Francesco Friedrich is aiming to extend his record of Olympic success, seeking a fifth gold medal. At 35, this may be his final chance at Olympic glory. Balancing the pressures of competition, Friedrich also works as a police officer, adding a touch of normalcy to his celebrated athletic career.
Erin Jackson
Event: Speed skating
As one of the two flagbearers for Team USA, Erin Jackson made history by being the first Black woman to win a Winter Olympics gold in an individual event. With her impressive skill, she has the potential to further elevate her profile during these Games, having already secured a significant following on social media.
Agent: Jeannie Goldstein, Chicago Sports & Entertainment Partners
Jessie Diggins
Event: Cross-country skiing
Jessie Diggins, the most decorated cross-country skier in U.S. history, has three Olympic medals and numerous World Cup victories. Upon completion of the Olympics, a documentary titled Threshold about her life and career will premiere, focusing on her advocacy for mental health and eating disorder awareness.
Agent: Patrick Quinn, Chicago Sports & Entertainment Partners
William Dandjinou
Event: Speed skating
William Dandjinou is among Canada’s key competitors, recognized as a four-time world champion in short-track speed skating. Following his absence from the Beijing 2022 Games, he has emerged as a favorite and could significantly uplift his profile during the competition in Milan-Cortina.
