From podium favorites to some fresh faces in Olympic Village, these are the names you need to know ahead of the Games in Milano Cortina.
The 2026 Winter Olympics are finally here, bringing some of the world’s greatest athletes to Northern Italy for a Games the world is unlikely to ever forget. With teams announced and final preparations underway, Olympics-induced hype and frenzy are in full flow. Keeping up with all the athletes, names, events and schedules can be taxing on even the most dedicated viewers, let alone the casual ones. This year, Hypebae’s got you covered with a cheat sheet to the faces you should know going into the Games.
The women leading the charge at Milano Cortina are a varied group. Many are gearing up for their first-ever Winter Olympics, whilst others have seen it all ten times over. Gold medalists are going head-to-head with exciting, young talents, history makers and record breakers. For many, it’s their first time representing their country on the biggest stage, but age is just a number when it comes to winning big, and these stars are going for gold.
Ranging from veterans like Arianna Fontana and Chloe Kim to new kids on the block Laila Edwards and Alysa Liu, it’s the women taking over the headlines this time around, and we love to see it. Keep scrolling to see some of the biggest names you need to keep up with at this year’s Winter Olympics.
Deanna Stellato-Dudek, Team Canada, Figure Skating
Deanna Stellato-Dudek is a walking inspiration for figure skaters everywhere. After a 16-year hiatus from the ice, she made her comeback in 2016, and at 42, she is the oldest skater to qualify for the Winter Olympics. Despite her time away from the sport, working as an esthetician, she has regained her form in stunning fashion, becoming the first skater to perform an assisted backflip in an ISU competition with her pairs partner Maxime Deschamps. Heading to her first-ever Olympics, keep an eye out for this icon of the ice.
Eileen Gu, Team PR China, Freestyle Skiing
Eileen Gu is already one of the biggest names in women’s sports and she’s only 22. Going into her second Winter Olympics, she holds two gold medals to her name and is hungry for more as she hits the slopes this year. Becoming the youngest gold medalist in freeski history back in 2022, there are big expectations for her, but this is a star that always rises to the occasion. Expect flair, technique and a medal or two from Gu this year.
Alysa Liu, Team USA, Figure Skating
Alysa Liu is one of the most popular figure skaters in the world right now. Her alternative style, which strays far from the stereotypical Ice Princess look, has piqued the interest of many, but her ability to command the ice at such a young age is what really makes her stand out from the crowd. Already one of the most accomplished skaters of her generation, with a myriad of medals and World Championships to her name, she is on her way to a second Winter Olympics, but the journey didn’t come without its setbacks. Retiring briefly at 16, Liu’s comeback has been one for the ages. With a bold new program and her same stunning technique, a first Olympic medal is pending.
Laila Edwards, Team USA, Ice Hockey
Laila Edwards has been making waves on the ice recently, becoming the first Black woman to represent the United States in ice hockey at the Olympics. The 21-year-old is already a history-maker, becoming the first Black woman to play on the U.S. women’s senior national team back in 2023. With several college and international honors to her name at a very young age, the world is about to become her oyster at Milano Cortina 2026.
Kirsty Muir, Team GB, Freestyle Skiing
Kirsty Muir is putting British snow sports on the map. The Scottish skier is one of the biggest young talents in freeski, making her Olympic debut at 17 four years ago. After tearing her ACL in December of 2023, all roads have been leading to Milano Cortina. Making a full recovery just in time, with a recently-won gold medal to show for it, 2026 is Muir’s time to shine.
Jutta Leerdam, Team NL, Speed Skating
Jutta Leerdam may be YouTube royalty, but don’t be quick to disregard her skill on the ice. The seven-time World Champion speed skater is one of the Netherlands’ bright spots going into this year’s Games. Specializing in long-track sprint events, Leerdam holds 15 titles to her name, spanning global and continental competitions. Winning a silver medal at the last Winter Olympics, she’s sprinting to the top spot on the podium this year.
Chloe Kim, Team USA, Snowboarding
Chloe Kim is going for a three-peat this year. Winning gold in 2018 and 2022, halfpipe victory at Milano Cortina would solidify her spot as one of the greatest snowboarders around. Making history as the youngest athlete to win Olympic gold in snowboarding at 17, eight years later, Kim still has the same drive to be the best and break a few records doing it.
Arianna Fontana, Team Italy, Speed Skating
Arianna Fontana is one of the most decorated speed skaters in the game. Stepping into the Olympic Village for the sixth time this year, she holds eleven Olympic medals to her name, but there’s always room for more. At 35, Fontana is one of the oldest athletes at the Games, but sprinting at her second Winter Olympics on home turf, she’s certain to get a few more wins under her belt before the competition is done.
Kaysha Love, Team USA, Bobsleigh
From track and field All-American honors in college to her second Winter Olympics, Kaysha Love is the epitome of a modern athlete. The Utah native made the switch to bobsledding in her early 20s and has since represented the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics and two World Championships, bringing home a gold medal in 2025. Quickly becoming one of the biggest names in American bobsledding, the upcoming Games come at a pivotal point in Love’s career. Performing an entirely different role this time around, she is one of the top athletes to look out for in Cortina.
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