Many Couples Compete Together at the 2026 Winter Olympics

At the 2026 Winter Olympics, several couples are competing together in different sports. Some are teammates, while others compete against each other. Their relationships add a special touch to the games.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

Diverse Relationships Shine Amidst Sporting Competition

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are notable for featuring several couples competing as teammates or against each other. These relationships, spanning various sports, add a unique dimension to the Games, highlighting personal connections alongside athletic endeavors. The presence of these athlete couples provides a glimpse into the intersecting worlds of sport and personal life for these individuals.

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Athlete Couples in the Spotlight

Multiple sources identify several notable couples participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics:

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  • Hilary Knight and Brittany Bowe (USA - Ice Hockey and Speed Skating): This power couple has been dating since 2022, with their relationship beginning during the Beijing Winter Olympics. For Milano Cortina, it marks their first Olympic Games as a married couple. Knight, a hockey icon, is competing in her fifth Olympics, while Bowe, a speed skating champion, is a four-time Olympian.

  • Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA - Ice Dancing): This married ice dancing duo is competing in their ninth combined Olympic Games, but their first as a married couple. They have been romantically linked since 2016 and are three-time world champions. At the 2026 Games, they won a silver medal in ice dance.

  • Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey (Canada - Ice Hockey): These Montreal-based ice hockey stars are partners both on and off the ice. Milano Cortina is Poulin's fifth Olympic Games, and it's their first as a married couple.

  • Kaysha Love and Hunter Powell (USA - Bobsled): This bobsledding couple met in college, and Love reportedly convinced Powell to try the sport.

  • Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik (USA - Figure Skating): Their relationship is highlighted as part of the romantic connections within the U.S. skating team.

  • Milla Ruud Reitan and Nikolaj Majorov (Sweden - Ice Dance): They represent Sweden in Olympic ice dance, marking the country's first-ever appearance in this discipline, and shared a kiss after their performance.

  • Emily and Dominik Fischnaller (Italy - Luge): This luge couple has been together since their teenage years.

  • Paige Jones and Sean Hollander (USA - Ski Jumping and Luge): Hollander is competing in his second Olympics, while Jones is making her Olympic debut.

  • Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten (Norway - Curling): This married couple competes as mixed doubles curling partners.

Dynamics of Competition and Partnership

The presence of couples within the Olympic circuit presents interesting dynamics. For some, like Madison Chock and Evan Bates, their partnership on the ice is a testament to a long-standing relationship, with their performance being their first as a married couple at the Games. They have expressed that competing as spouses feels different, yet they prioritize their relationship.

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Other couples, such as Hilary Knight and Brittany Bowe, also find their shared Olympic experience amplified by their marital status, marking a significant milestone in their relationship within the competitive arena.

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Conversely, some relationships involve navigating the challenge of competing against each other. Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten have described their dynamic: "On the ice, she's my enemy." This illustrates the careful separation required between personal bonds and competitive performance.

Off-Ice Connections Influencing On-Ice Performance

The shared experience of being elite athletes often fosters deep connections. For many ice dance pairs, their professional relationship is intertwined with a romantic one. Sources note that the chemistry observed between partners like Madison Chock and Evan Bates is partly due to their romantic link. Similarly, the documentary series "Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing" explores the relationships of real-life couples in the sport, such as Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac.

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Sports psychologists suggest that the communication and trust developed between skating partners, especially those in romantic relationships, can offer lessons for everyday couples, emphasizing mutual support and understanding.

Conclusion: A Multifaceted Olympic Landscape

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina underscore the interwoven nature of athletic careers and personal relationships. The documented presence of numerous couples, both on and off the ice, adds a layer of personal narrative to the international sporting spectacle. These relationships range from long-term partnerships to newly married duos, all navigating the unique pressures and joys of competing at the highest level while supporting each other. The athletes' ability to balance intense competition with deep personal bonds is a recurring theme, enriching the Olympic experience for both participants and observers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are there couples competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Yes, many couples are competing in sports like ice hockey, figure skating, and curling. Some are teammates, and some compete against each other.
Q: Who are some of the famous couples?
Famous couples include Hilary Knight and Brittany Bowe in hockey and speed skating, and Madison Chock and Evan Bates in ice dancing. Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey are also competing in ice hockey.
Q: How do couples handle competing against each other?
Some couples, like Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten in curling, say they focus on the game and see each other as opponents during the match.
Q: Do relationships help athletes perform better?
Some believe that the trust and communication between partners, especially in sports like ice dancing, can help their performance. They support each other on and off the ice.