{"id":447798,"date":"2026-02-05T22:04:36","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T22:04:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/447798\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T22:04:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T22:04:36","slug":"colorado-athletes-at-the-2026-milan-cortina-winter-olympics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/447798\/","title":{"rendered":"Colorado athletes at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s note: These capsules highlight the Olympians with Colorado ties. In determining who counted as a Coloradan, we included athletes who attended a Colorado high school or college, as well as those who currently live or train primarily in the state. Think we missed someone? Email sports@denverpost.com with your addition.<\/p>\n

Alpine skiing
\n\"UnitedUnited States’ Kyle Negomir speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men’s World Cup super-G, in Wengen, Switzerland, Friday Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo\/Gabriele Facciotti)
\nKyle Negomir<\/p>\n

Specialty: Downhill, super-G<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Born and raised in Littleton, \u201cNego\u201d grew up ski racing at Copper Mountain<\/p>\n

What to know: A specialist in the speed disciplines of downhill and super-G, Negomir scored his first World Cup points in 2023. His best career result came in Italy \u2014 he was 11th in a World Cup downhill in Val Gardena in December.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 7 (downhill), 11 (super-G)<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"UnitedUnited States’ River Radamus speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men’s World Cup giant slalom, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo\/Gabriele Facciotti)
\nRiver Radamus<\/p>\n

Specialty: Super-G, giant slalom<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: The son of two decorated ski coaches, Radamus grew up in Edwards<\/p>\n

What to know: Radamus was just 0.24 seconds from claiming a medal in giant slalom at the Beijing Winter Olympics, finishing fourth. This World Cup season, he\u2019s finished sixth twice and seventh twice in his best event.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 11 (super-G), 14 (giant slalom)<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"MikaelaMikaela Shiffrin on course during a World Cup giant slalom, in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo\/Giovanni Auletta)
\nMikaela Shiffrin<\/p>\n

Specialty: Giant slalom, slalom, combined<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Born in Vail, Shiffrin calls Edwards home<\/p>\n

What to know: A ski-racing prodigy who won her first World Cup race at 17, Shiffrin is already the GOAT of Alpine \u2014 blowing past Ingemar Stenmark\u2019s record of 86 World Cup wins in 2023 and becoming the first and only skier to hit 100 wins in Feb. 2025. After a disappointing 0-for-5 showing at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she looks primed to rebound on a familiar track in Italy, where she\u2019s won four World Championships medals, including one gold, and landed on three World Cup podiums across five disciplines.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 10 (combined), 15 (giant slalom), 18 (slalom)<\/p>\n

\"LindseyLindsey Vonn sprays sparkling wine as she celebrates on the podium after winning a World Cup downhill in Zauchensee, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo\/Giovanni Auletta)
\nLindsey Vonn<\/p>\n

Specialty: Downhill, super-G, combined<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Born in Minnesota, Vonn moved to Vail at 12 to train with Ski and Snowboard Club Vail<\/p>\n

What to know: Vonn\u2019s riveting comeback story veered way off course on Jan. 30 after she crashed in a World Cup downhill in Switzerland. She announced that she still intends to compete with a brace after completely rupturing the ACL in her left knee, as well as sustaining meniscus damage and bone bruising.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 8 (downhill), 10 (combined), 12 (super-G)<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"KatieKatie Hensien speeds down the course during a women’s World Cup giant slalom, in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo\/Pier Marco Tacca)
\nKatie Hensien<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Attended the University of Denver, where she juggled academics and skiing<\/p>\n

What to know: Hensien competed for the Pioneers while racing on the World Cup and Europa Cup circuits with the U.S. Ski Team. A tech specialist, her best World Cup result is a fourth in slalom in Oct. 2024.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 15 (giant slalom), 18 (slalom)<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

Bobsled
\n\"FrankFrank Del Duca, Joshua Williamson, Boone Niederhofer and Hunter Powell of the United States compete in heat 3 of the 4-man-bobsleigh on day six of the 2025 IBSF World Championships at Mt Van Hoevenberg on March 15, 2025 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Maddie Meyer, Getty Images)
\nHunter Powell<\/p>\n

Specialty: Four-man bobsled<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Fort Collins native. He won the conference championship in indoor heptathlon and outdoor decathlon at CSU.<\/p>\n

What to know: Powell, 29, made the transition from track and field to bobsledding in 2024. His four-man team finished seventh at the 2025 IBSF World Championships.\n<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 21-22<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

Freestyle skiing
\n\"AlexAlex Ferreira of Aspen competes in the men’s ski superpipe on day 3 of the X Games Aspen 2024 on Jan. 28, 2024 in Aspen. (Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
\nAlex Ferreira<\/p>\n

Specialty: Halfpipe<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Aspen native<\/p>\n

What to know: This will be the third Olympic Games for Ferreira, 31. He captured the bronze in 2022 and silver in 2018.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 19-20<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"JacksonJackson Harvey of Team Australia in action during the Men\u2019s Moguls Practice Session of the FIS Snowboard & Freestyle and Freeski World Championships 2025 on March 17, 2025 in Corviglia, St. Moritz, Switzerland. (Photo by David Ramos\/Getty Images)
\nJackson Harvey (Australia)<\/p>\n

Specialty: Moguls<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Born in Winter Park.<\/p>\n

What to know: Harvey, 23, moved to Australia in 2022. His mother is originally from Melbourne.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 10, 12, 15<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"BirkBirk Irving of the United States competes in the Men’s Freeski Halfpipe Final during the Toyota US Grand Prix 2025 at Copper Mountain on Dec. 20, 2025 in Copper Mountain. (Photo by Maddie Meyer\/Getty Images)
\nBirk Irving<\/p>\n

Specialty: Halfpipe<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Englewood native who grew up skiing at Winter Park.<\/p>\n

What to know: Irving, 26, will be competing in his second Winter Olympics. He finished fifth in the halfpipe in 2022.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 19-20<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"SveaSvea Irving of the United States competes in the Women’s Ski SuperPipe on day one of the X Games Aspen 2026 at Buttermilk Ski Resort on Jan. 23, 2026 in Aspen. (Photo by Michael Reaves\/Getty Images)
\nSvea Irving<\/p>\n

Specialty: Halfpipe<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Irving<\/p>\n

What to know: Irving, 23, is the younger sister of fellow Olympian Birk. She punched her ticket to the Games after finishing third at the Calgary Snow Rodeo World Cup. Fun fact: Their grandfather is John Irving, the author of \u201cThe Cider House Rules\u201d and \u201cThe World According to Garp.\u201d<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 19, 21<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"RileyRiley Jacobs of the United States competes in the Women’s Freeski Halfpipe Final during the Toyota US Grand Prix 2025 at Copper Mountain on Dec. 20, 2025 in Copper Mountain. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey\/Getty Images)
\nRiley Jacobs<\/p>\n

Specialty: Halfpipe<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: From Oak Creek<\/p>\n

What to know: The 23-year-old Jacobs suffered a torn ACL in November 2024 but returned to competition for the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 19, 21<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"TessTess Johnson of Team United States competes during the Women’s Moguls First Final of the FIS World Cup Aerials and Moguls on March 11, 2025 in Livigno, Italy. (Photo by Matthias Hangst\/Getty Images)
\nTess Johnson<\/p>\n

Specialty: Moguls<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Vail native<\/p>\n

What to know: Johnson, 25, was the youngest-ever moguls skier to be named to the national team when she was 14. She has two world championship dual moguls medals: a bronze in 2019 and a silver in 2025.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 10, 11, 14<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"BAKURIANI,Elizabeth Lemley competes during the FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships Men’s and Women’s Moguls on Feb. 25, 2023 in Bakuriani, Georgia. (Photo by Alexis Boichard\/Agence Zoom\/Getty Images)
\nElizabeth Lemley<\/p>\n

Specialty: Moguls<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Vail native.<\/p>\n

What to know: The 20-year-old was named the FIS World Cup rookie of the year in 2022. She also has a pilot\u2019s license to fly four-seaters and prop planes.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 10, 11, 14<\/p>\n

Results:\u00a0None yet<\/p>\n

\"CharlieCharlie Mickel of the United States competes during the Men’s Moguls Final in the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships 2025 on March 19, 2025 in Corviglia, St. Moritz, Switzerland. (Photo by David Ramos\/Getty Images)
\nCharlie Mickel<\/p>\n

Specialty: Moguls<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: From Durango<\/p>\n

What to know: Mickel, 21, is a two-time national champion.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 10, 12, 15<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"PARKLandon Wendler of Team United States competes during Men’s Moguls Qualifications on day one of the Intermountain Healthcare Freestyle International Ski World Cup at Deer Valley Resort on Feb. 02, 2023 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Christian Petersen\/Getty Images)
\nLandon Wendler<\/p>\n

Specialty: Moguls<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: From Steamboat Springs.<\/p>\n

What to know: The 25-year-old Wendler is making his first Olympic Games.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 10, 12, 15<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

Hockey
\n\"JoelJoel Kiviranta (94) of the Colorado Avalanche prepares for a face off against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz\/The Denver Post)
\nJoel Kiviranta (Finland)<\/p>\n

Specialty: Forward<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Depth winger for the Colorado Avalanche.<\/p>\n

What to know: He was part of the Finnish team that won the 2019 Ice Hockey World Championships.<\/p>\n

Competing: vs. Slovakia, Feb. 11; vs. Sweden, Feb. 13; vs. Italy, Feb. 14.<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"ArtturiArtturi Lehkonen (62) of the Colorado Avalanche prepares for a face off against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at Ball Arena on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz\/The Denver Post)
\nArtturi Lehkonen (Finland)<\/p>\n

Specialty: Forward<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: No. 1 left wing for the Colorado Avalanche.<\/p>\n

What to know: Lehkonen, 30, is on pace for career-highs in points and assists for the Avs this season. This is his second stint with the Finnish senior national team, following last year\u2019s 4 Nations Face-Off.<\/p>\n

Competing: vs. Slovakia, Feb. 11; vs. Sweden, Feb. 13; vs. Italy, Feb. 14.<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"GabeGabe Landeskog, captain of Colorado Avalanche, poses for a portrait at the locker room of Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (Photo by Hyoung Chang\/The Denver Post)
\nGabe Landeskog (Sweden)<\/p>\n

Specialty: Forward<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Captain of the Colorado Avalanche<\/p>\n

What to know: Landeskog, 33, didn\u2019t play with the Avs from the end of the 2021-22 season (when Colorado won the Stanley Cup) until the 2024-25 playoffs due to a knee injury. He\u2019s been Colorado\u2019s captain since the 2012-13 season, when he was just 19, and is the third-longest tenured captain behind just Pittsburgh\u2019s Sidney Crosby and Washington\u2019s Alexander Ovechkin.<\/p>\n

Competing: vs. Italy, Feb. 11; vs. Finland, Feb. 13; vs. Slovakia, Feb. 14.<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"DENVERDENVER , CO – DECEMBER 29: Nathan MacKinnon (29) of the Colorado Avalanche speaks to an official during the third period of the Avs\u2019 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings at Ball Arena on Monday, December 29, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz\/The Denver Post)
\nNathan MacKinnon (Canada)<\/p>\n

Specialty: Forward<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: No. 1 center for the Colorado Avalanche<\/p>\n

What to know: MacKinnon, 30, is the NHL\u2019s leading goal scorer (40) this season and is second to Oilers\u2019 Connor McDavid in points (91). The No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft is high among the franchise\u2019s scorers, ranking third in goals (407), second in assists (699) and second in points (1,106).\n<\/p>\n

Competing: vs. Czechia, Feb. 12; vs. Switzerland, Feb. 13; vs. France, Feb. 15.<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"CaleCale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche handles the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Ball Arena on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz\/The Denver Post)
\nCale Makar (Canada)<\/p>\n

Specialty: Defenseman<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche<\/p>\n

What to know: Makar, 27, has won the James Norris Memorial Trophy twice in his career for being the NHL\u2019s top defenseman. NHL Network named him the fourth-best player in the league entering this season, two spots behind teammate Nathan MacKinnon. And a fun fact: He was the cover athlete for the NHL 24 video game.<\/p>\n

Competing: vs. Czechia, Feb. 12; vs. Switzerland, Feb. 13; vs. France, Feb. 15.<\/p>\n

Results: None yet.<\/p>\n

\"MartinMartin Necas (88) of the Colorado Avalanche controls the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Ball Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz\/The Denver Post)
\nMartin Necas (Czechia)<\/p>\n

Specialty: Forward<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: No. 1 right wing for the Colorado Avalanche.<\/p>\n

What to know: Necas, 27, will be making his third stint with the Czech national team. He scored seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) to help the team win the 2024 IIHF World Championship. He\u2019s on pace for career highs in goals, assists and points this season for the Avs.<\/p>\n

Competing: vs. Canada, Feb. 12; vs. France, Feb. 13; vs. Switzerland, Feb. 15.<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

More coverage:<\/p>\n

\"BrockBrock Nelson (11) of the Colorado Avalanche skates during the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Ball Arena on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz\/The Denver Post)
\nBrock Nelson<\/p>\n

Specialty: Forward<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: No. 2 center for the Colorado Avalanche<\/p>\n

What to know: Nelson, 34, has played 44 games for the U.S. national team, tallying 19 goals and 16 assists.<\/p>\n

Competing: vs. Latvia, Feb. 12; vs. Denmark, Feb. 13; vs. Germany, Feb. 15.<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"JaccobJaccob Slavin #74 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the Florida Panthers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena on May 24, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Hurricanes 6-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett\/Getty Images)
\nJaccob Slavin<\/p>\n

Specialty: Defenseman<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Erie native and a star at Colorado College<\/p>\n

What to know: Slavin, 31, joins Nick Shore (2022), Troy Terry (2018) and John Grahame (2006) as Colorado natives named to the U.S. Olympic men\u2019s hockey team in the 21st century. He has twice won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (2021 and 2024), which is the NHL\u2019s sportsmanship award.<\/p>\n

Competing: vs. Latvia, Feb. 12; vs. Denmark, Feb. 13; vs. Germany, Feb. 15.<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"DevonDevon Toews (7) of the Colorado Avalanche prepares for a face-off against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Ball Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz\/The Denver Post)
\nDevon Toews (Canada)<\/p>\n

Specialty: Defenseman<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche<\/p>\n

What to know: Toews, 31, was part of the Canadian team that won the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament last year. Since joining Colorado in 2020, he\u2019s been paired with Cale Makar as the team\u2019s top defensive line. They\u2019re projected to stay together<\/a> in the Olympics.<\/p>\n

Competing: vs. Czechia, Feb. 12; vs. Switzerland, Feb. 13; vs. France, Feb. 15.<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

Figure skating
\n\"DannyDanny O’Shea and Ellie Kam of Team United States train at Milano Ice Skating Arena ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Feb. 01, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Sarah Stier\/Getty Images)
\nEllie Kam<\/p>\n

Specialty: Pairs with Daniel O\u2019Shea<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Grew up in Colorado Springs, currently attends the University of Colorado \u2014 Colorado Springs.<\/p>\n

What to know: Kam, 21, teamed with her pairs partner, Danny O\u2019Shea, in 2022. Together, they\u2019ve captured two bronzes, a silver and a gold over the last four U.S. Championships.<\/p>\n

Competing: Team event pairs, Feb. 6 and 8; Pairs short program, Feb. 15; Pairs free skating, Feb. 16.<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"EllieEllie Kam and Danny O’Shea perfrom during a Making the Team event of the 2026 United States Figure Skating Championships at Enterprise Center on Jan. 11, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire\/Getty Images)
\nDaniel O\u2019Shea<\/p>\n

Specialty: Pairs with Ellie Kam.<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Colorado Springs resident. Graduated from the University of Colorado \u2014 Colorado Springs.<\/p>\n

What to know: O\u2019Shea, 34, is a veteran of the sport. This will be his first Olympic Games after missing out in 2018 when he and his partner, Tarah Kayne, finished runner-up in the U.S. Championships. They were given an alternate spot for the Games as the U.S. only had one pairs spot that year.<\/p>\n

Competing: Team event pairs, Feb. 6 and 8; Pairs short program, Feb. 15; Pairs free skating, Feb. 16.<\/p>\n

Results: None yet.<\/p>\n

Nordic skiing
\nLauren Jortberg<\/p>\n

Specialty: Cross-country skiing<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Boulder native<\/p>\n

What to know: Jortberg, 28, was a three-time NCAA All-American at Dartmouth College.<\/p>\n

Competing:<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"NiklasNiklas Malacinski of the United States competes in the Nordic Combined Mixed Team Normal Hill HS102\/4x5km, Ski Jumping Round, at the Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Matthias Schrader)
\nNiklas Malacinski<\/p>\n

Specialty: Nordic combined<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Grew up in Steamboat Springs<\/p>\n

What to know: The 22-year-old was a gold medalist at the 2024 U.S. National Championships and won gold and silver at the 2023 World University Games. His father was a ski instructor and his mother was nearly an Olympic swimmer.<\/p>\n

Competing:<\/p>\n

Results: Nothing yet<\/p>\n

\"HaileyHailey Swirbul, of the United States, center, competes in the Women’s Cross Country 4 X 5 KM Relay Classic event at the Nordic World Championships in Planica, Slovenia, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo\/Matthias Schrader)
\nHailey Swirbul<\/p>\n

Specialty: Cross-country skiing<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Born and raised in El Jebel.<\/p>\n

What to know: Swirbul, 27, retired in 2023 but came back in 2025. She competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics.<\/p>\n

Competing:<\/p>\n

Results: None yet.<\/p>\n

Ski jumping
\n\"AnnikaAnnika Belshaw, of the United States, soars through the air during her first round jump of the ski jumping women’s large hill individual competition at the Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo\/Matthias Schrader)
\nAnnika Belshaw<\/p>\n

Specialty: Ski jump<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Born and raised in Steamboat Springs.<\/p>\n

What to know:\u00a0Belshaw, 23, has won nine gold medals at the U.S. National Championships. She isn\u2019t the only ski jumper in her family. Her younger brother Erik also competes professionally.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 7<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

Jason Colby<\/p>\n

Specialty: Ski jump<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: From Steamboat Springs.<\/p>\n

What to know: Colby, 19, was the highest-ranked American ski jumper in 2024.<\/p>\n

Competing:<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

Ski mountaineering
\n\"AnnaAnna Gibson, left, and her partner Cam Smith compete during a World Cup ski mountaineering mixed team relay at Solitude Mountain in Utah, Dec. 6, 2025. (Ron Winsett\/ISMF via AP)
\nCam Smith<\/p>\n

Specialty: Ski mountaineering<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Lives in Crested Butte. Graduated from Western Colorado University.<\/p>\n

What to know: The 30-year-old is an 11-time U.S. Ski Mountaineering national champion and five-time North American Ski Mountaineering champion.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 19 and 21<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

More coverage:<\/p>\n

Sled hockey
\nBrett Bolton<\/p>\n

Specialty: Forward<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Attends CU-Boulder.<\/p>\n

What to know: Bolton, 19, was part of the Team USA roster that won the Para Hockey Cup in December. He scored his first career hat trick (three goals in a game) in the semifinal and followed it up with the game-winning goal in the championship.<\/p>\n

Competing: vs. Italy, March 7; vs. Germany, March 9; vs. China, March 10.<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"SledSled hockey player Declan Farmer of the United States poses for a photo during a Team USA Photo Shoot at Sunset Glenoaks Studios on May 19, 2025 in Sun Valley, California. (Photo by Harry How\/Getty Images)
\nDeclan Farmer<\/p>\n

Specialty: Forward<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Lives in Boulder.<\/p>\n

What to know: Won gold medals with Team USA in 2014, 2018 and 2022. He is the U.S. all-time leader in career goals, assists and points.<\/p>\n

Competing: vs. Italy, March 7; vs. Germany, March 9; vs. China, March 10.<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"SledSled hockey player Malik Jones of the United States poses for a photo during a Team USA Photo Shoot at Sunset Glenoaks Studios on May 19, 2025 in Sun Valley, California. (Photo by Harry How\/Getty Images)
\nMalik Jones<\/p>\n

Specialty: Forward<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Born and raised in Aurora.<\/p>\n

What to know: He was part of the gold-medal-winning team in the 2022 Beijing Games.<\/p>\n

Competing: vs. Italy, March 7; vs. Germany, March 9; vs. China, March 10.<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

Snowboarding
\n\"ChaseChase Blackwell soars in the halfpipe for the World Cup held in Chongli county near Zhangjiakou in northern China’s Hebei province on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo\/Ng Han Guan)
\nChase Blackwell<\/p>\n

Specialty: Halfpipe<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Blackwell hails from Longmont and considers Copper Mountain his home mountain.<\/p>\n

What to know: As a young boy, Blackwell wanted to be like Shaun White after he saw the Olympic legend compete at the X Games at Buttermilk. He wound up facing White in 2021 at the U.S. Grand Prix in Aspen, where he captured the U.S. National Championship as the top American finisher on the World Cup circuit.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 11, 13<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"JakeJake Canter competes in big air qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo\/Gregory Bull)
\nJake Canter<\/p>\n

Specialty: Slopestyle, big air<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Calls Silverthorne home<\/p>\n

What to know: Canter overcame a life-threatening traumatic brain injury in 2016 while training on a trampoline at Woodward Copper. Doctors gave him only a 20 percent chance of living. He recovered and returned to nowboarding in 2017, though the injury left him permanently deaf in his right ear.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 5, 7, 16, 18<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

Lily Dhawornvej<\/p>\n

Specialty: Slopestyle, big air<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Lily and her brother, Caleb, also a competitive snowboarder, grew up riding at Copper Mountain<\/p>\n

What to know: Dhawornvej\u2019s uncle, a snowboard instructor at Copper, taught her and her brother how to ride. She\u2019s a human joystick \u2014 adept at riding switch and spinning in all four directions.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 8, 9, 16, 17<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"StacyStacy Gaskill reacts after competing in the women’s the boardercross qualification round at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China. (AP Photo\/Aaron Favila)
\nStacy Gaskill<\/p>\n

Specialty: Boardercross<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: The University of Colorado student hails from Golden.<\/p>\n

What to know: At the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, Gaskill finished seventh in women\u2019s boardercross and ninth in the mixed team event. Outside of snowboarding, she\u2019s a three-time World Ultimate Frisbee champion as a member of the University of Colorado Women\u2019s Ultimate A Team.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 13, 15<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"RedRed Gerard, poses for a photo at Team USA Media Summit, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo\/Yuki Iwamura, File)
\nRed Gerard<\/p>\n

Specialty: Slopestyle, big air<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Gerard lives in Silverthorne.<\/p>\n

What to know: Gerard, 25, the gold medalist in slopestyle at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games, will be competing in his third Olympics \u2014 and plans to roll deep with some 40 family members and friends in tow to watch him compete. He has seven siblings \u2014 five brothers and two sisters.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 5, 7, 16, 18<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"OliverOliver Martin practices during a snowboard big air training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)
\nOllie Martin<\/p>\n

Specialty: Slopestyle, Big Air<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Martin\u2019s hometown is Vail.<\/p>\n

What to know: Just 17, Martin enters his first Olympics as the youngest male snowboarder in history to win a World Cup slopestyle event. The two-time world championship bronze medalist also holds the distinction of being the youngest snowboarder ever to land a 2160-degree spin and the first rider in the world to stomp both a frontside and backside 2160.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 5, 7, 16, 18<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"Jake\u00a0PatesJake\u00a0Pates jumps during the men’s halfpipe finals at Phoenix Snow Park at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. (AP Photo\/Gregory Bull)
\nJake Pates<\/p>\n

Specialty: Halfpipe<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Pates hails from Eagle.<\/p>\n

What to know: After finishing eighth in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games\u2019 halfpipe final, Pates stepped away from competitive snowboarding in 2019 as a result of repeated head injuries. In March 2020, he founded the Happy Healthy Brain Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about concussion protocols and advancing brain health for athletes through baseline brain scanning.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 11, 13<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

Madeline Schaffrick<\/p>\n

Specialty: Halfpipe<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Schaffrick\u2019s hometown is Steamboat Springs.<\/p>\n

What to know: A teenage prodigy who first made her professional debut in 2008 at just 14 years old, Schaffrick stepped away from competitive snowboarding at 20 and found a career as a plumber. She returned to competition in 2024 after a nearly decade-long hiatus spent coaching and will compete in her first Olympics at 31.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 11, 12<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

\"CodyCody Winters competes during the men’s parallel giant slalom qualification run at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China. (AP Photo\/Lee Jin-man)
\nCody Winters<\/p>\n

Specialty: Boardercross, parallel giant slalom<\/p>\n

Colorado connection: Steamboat Springs is his hometown<\/p>\n

What to know: Winters finished 29th in parallel giant slalom at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. In January 2025, he captured third place in parallel slalom at Bad Gastein, Austria\u2014Team USA\u2019s first Alpine snowboard world cup podium since 2015. He is the first rider to compete in World Cup events across both parallel and snowboard cross disciplines since 2009, managing one of the most demanding competition schedules in snowboarding.<\/p>\n

Competing: Feb. 8, Feb. 12<\/p>\n

Results: None yet<\/p>\n

Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver\u2019s teams.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Editor\u2019s note: These capsules highlight the Olympians with Colorado ties. In determining who counted as a Coloradan, we…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":447799,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5116],"tags":[3189,54327,2320,193,1034,1116,192,144,5277,1543,1035,5,1036,1180,513,517,4,2602,43,54328],"class_list":{"0":"post-447798","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-colorado-avalanche","8":"tag-2026-winter-olympics","9":"tag-alex-ferreira","10":"tag-artturi-lehkonen","11":"tag-avalanche","12":"tag-brock-nelson","13":"tag-cale-makar","14":"tag-colorado","15":"tag-colorado-avalanche","16":"tag-coloradoavalanche","17":"tag-devon-toews","18":"tag-gabe-landeskog","19":"tag-hockey","20":"tag-joel-kiviranta","21":"tag-latest-headlines","22":"tag-martin-necas","23":"tag-nathan-mackinnon","24":"tag-nhl","25":"tag-olympics","26":"tag-sports","27":"tag-tess-johnson"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/116020294613401978","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447798","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=447798"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447798\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/447799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=447798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=447798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=447798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}