Discover the top contenders and rising stars expected to shine at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. This guide highlights key athletes across sports like skiing, figure skating, and snowboarding, offering insight into who might win medals. Get ready to follow the most promising talents competing for Olympic glory. It's an essential read for winter sports enthusiasts and Olympic followers keen to stay ahead of the curve on future champions.
Freestyle skiing Big Air world champion
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She is a young prodigy of Italian freestyle skiing, flag bearer, and double gold medalist at the 2024 Youth Olympic Games. She won the Park & Pipe Crystal Globe in 2024-25, a senior Big Air World Championship title, and triumphed at the 2025 X Games.
First Italian male skier to compete in a trick discipline at the X Games
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Flora's brother and a great talent in men's freestyle skiing, with a historic World Cup victory in 2025 and a win at the Aspen X Games that same year.
Olympic champion freestyle skier
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She is an established star of freestyle skiing, known for her mastery of multiple disciplines and her global impact, making her one of the most anticipated figures at Milano-Cortina 2026.
Known as the "Quad God"
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She revolutionized figure skating by being the first to land a quadruple axel in competition and is the overwhelming favorite for the gold medal in 2026.
World Champion figure skater
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She returned to figure skating after a hiatus and won the World Championships in Boston in 2025, demonstrating maturity and creative control.
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Poised to make history
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He is the current leading figure in speed skating, dominating the World Cups and a favorite to win multiple golds at Milano-Cortina 2026.
Oldest athlete in Short Track
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She is a legend of Italian short track, with 11 Olympic medals in five Winter Games, and will be looking for another podium finish in the 500m on home soil.
Alpine skiing superstar
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She is the most decorated alpine skier in history, with numerous titles and a recent 100th World Cup victory, making a successful comeback after an injury.
Fearless and daring
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She is Italy's leading alpine skier and arrives as the favorite after a strong World Cup season, being one of the host nation's best medal hopes.
Unprecedented fourth straight downhill victory
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He is the undisputed leader in men's alpine skiing, established as the man to beat, and will defend his Olympic gold in giant slalom.
Five-time Olympic champion
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Considered one of the greatest cross-country skiers in history, with more than 100 victories and six golds, he will be aiming for an Olympic record at the 2025 World Championships.
Retained Olympic titles at Beijing 2022
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He is one of the biggest names in bobsleigh, seeking his fifth Olympic gold medal in bobsled downhill at Milano-Cortina 2026.
Beijing 2022 and PyeongChang 2018 gold medalist
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She is a prominent snowboard halfpipe athlete, mentioned as one of the stars to watch at Milano-Cortina 2026, with a history of dominance in her discipline.
A legend of alpine skiing who returned to competition at 41 years old in 2025 with a remarkable victory, demonstrating incredible longevity and determination.
Secured Mexico's Olympic quota
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He is a Mexican figure skater who has gained international visibility, being mentioned as a Latin American athlete to watch at the 2026 Winter Games.
Won gold in the first-ever Olympic curling mixed doubles competition
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This Italian curling duo represents the elite of winter sports in their country and are a strong hope for success on home soil at the 2026 Games.