The selection of the United States figure skating team for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics marks a pivotal moment for American athletes. With national championships concluding and Olympic spots confirmed, attention now shifts to the competitive field and the athletes' readiness for the global stage. The assembled roster features a blend of seasoned competitors and emerging talents, each bringing a unique narrative and aspiration to the Games.
The Road to Milano Cortina
The path to the 2026 Olympic Games for American figure skaters was paved with intense competition at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. These events, held in early January 2026, served as the primary selection platform. Results from these championships, alongside consistent performances throughout the season, were crucial in determining the final Olympic lineup.
The U.S. Figure Skating Championships began on January 10, 2026.
Official team announcements followed on Sunday, January 11, 2026, with broadcasts on NBC.
Key Athletes Emerge
Several prominent figures have been highlighted as central to the U.S. Olympic figure skating effort.
Ilia Malinin Leads the Men's Field
Ilia Malinin, from Vienna, Virginia, is set to make his Olympic debut. His presence is noted as headlining the men's singles event. An exclusive conversation with Malinin was featured on the "Milan Magic Olympics" podcast.
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The Women's Contenders
The women's field is characterized by strong performances and individual journeys.
Alysa Liu: Has made it clear she intends to navigate her career decisions on her own terms. She finished first at the championships, securing her Olympic spot unequivocally.
Amber Glenn: At 26, Glenn has spoken about taking time off to address anxiety and depression, which stemmed from a cycle of striving for perfection and self-comparison during her career.
Isabeau Levito: The 18-year-old Levito rounds out a notable group of women skaters. Her performances at the championships, including a powerful short program and a nearly perfect free skate where she landed her triple axel again, have drawn attention.
Pairs and Ice Dance Teams
The disciplines of pairs skating and ice dance feature teams with notable backgrounds and achievements.
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Pairs Teams:
Emily Chan (28) and Spencer Akira Howe (29) secured their spot as the final pairs team, despite not achieving a top-three finish at the championships. Chan's background in skating began at age four, while Howe discovered the sport at nine.
Ice Dance Teams:
Christina Carreira (25) and Anthony Ponomarenko (24) have maintained consistency in ice dance to earn their Olympic berths. Both hail from skating families; Carreira's mother is a coach, and Ponomarenko's parents are Olympic ice dance champions.
Other ice dance pairings mentioned in the selection process include Amy Cui / Jonathan Rogers, Raffaella Koncius / Alexey Shchepetov, Elliana Peal / Ethan Peal, Vanessa Pham / Anton Spiridonov, and Isabella Flores / Linus Colmor Jepsen.
Bates and Chock are also noted for their on-ice chemistry, partly fueled by a shared appreciation for the sport.
Other Notable Skaters
Additional athletes who have earned or are in contention for Olympic spots include:
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Andrew Torgashev: A first-time Olympian from Coral Springs, Florida, who has achieved fourth-place finishes at recent U.S. championships.
Daniel Martynov and Emmanuel Savary are mentioned in the context of the men's free skate competition.
Lucius Kazanecki is also listed among men's singles competitors.
O'Shea and Kam are mentioned, with Kam having started skating at age four due to her brothers' involvement.
Kolesnik is noted for overcoming a procedure that made his return to competition uncertain.
Naumov delivered a stirring program following a powerful short program.
Athlete Narratives and Aspirations
The selection process reveals individual journeys marked by dedication and resilience.
Personal Growth: Glenn's openness about her mental health struggles highlights a broader conversation within elite sports. Levito's determination to enjoy her Olympic experience "on her own terms" underscores a growing emphasis on athlete agency.
Family Legacies: The Ponomarenko family's ice dance heritage, with both parents being Olympic champions, adds a layer of historical resonance to Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko's selection.
Expert Insights
"Team USA is sending one of its strongest figure-skating squads ever to Milano Cortina."
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This statement, appearing in reporting, suggests a high level of confidence in the assembled team's potential to perform well on the international stage.
Conclusion
The 2026 U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team represents a carefully selected group of athletes who have demonstrated exceptional skill and perseverance. The narrative surrounding their selection is one of competitive rigor, personal triumphs, and familial legacies. As the athletes prepare for the Milano Cortina Games, their individual stories and collective potential form the basis of anticipation for American success in figure skating.
Sources
USA Today: Published January 11, 2026. Details include athletes like Andrew Torgashev, Ilia Malinin, Christina Carreira, Anthony Ponomarenko, Emily Chan, and Spencer Akira Howe.🔗 https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/01/11/us-winter-olympic-figure-skating-team-ilia-malinin/88131753007/
Sporting News: Seen on AOL. Details the schedule of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and mentions pairings like Amy Cui / Jonathan Rogers and Elliana Peal / Ethan Peal in the context of team selection.🔗 https://www.sportingnews.com/us/olympics/news/usa-olympic-figure-skating-team-live-results/c234913e518fa8473c3b5c65
TIME: Published February 4, 2026. Focuses on individual journeys, mentioning Alysa Liu's career navigation, Amber Glenn's mental health, and the strong skating pedigree of Carreira and Ponomarenko.🔗 https://time.com/7345540/2026-us-olympic-figure-skating-team-men-women-pairs-dance/
ESPN: Published January 12, 2026. Highlights skaters like Amber Glenn, Ilia Malinin, and Alysa Liu, detailing Levito's performance and Naumov's strong showing.🔗 https://www.espn.com/olympics/story//id/47583945/us-figure-skating-milan-cortina-olympics-amber-glenn-ilia-malinin-alysa-liu
NBC Chicago: Published January 11, 2026. Lists those who made the team, including Alysa Liu's first-place finish, and mentions Andrew Torgashev.🔗 https://www.nbcchicago.com/olympics/2026-milan-cortina/us-figure-staking-team-roster-2026-olympics/3874506/
The List: Published January 17, 2026. Discusses the background of skaters like Ponomarenko and Carreira, and mentions Bates and Chock, and Kolesnik.🔗 https://www.thelist.com/2077965/whos-on-the-2026-us-olympic-figure-skating-team/
People: Published January 12, 2026. Provides background details on skaters like O'Shea, Kam, Chan, Howe, and Carreira, including their starting ages in the sport.🔗 https://people.com/meet-the-u-s-figure-skating-team-competing-in-the-2026-winter-olympics-11883945
