Utah Celebrates 81 Athletes Competing in 2026 Winter Olympics

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah is poised to make a significant mark at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, as 81 athletes with ties to the state have been selected to compete. Team USA’s final roster, announced on Monday, includes nearly one-third of its 232-member team from Utah, showcasing the state’s growing prominence in the Olympic arena.

This impressive representation highlights Utah’s evolution as a hub for winter sports, a transformation that began with the 2002 Winter Games. Jeff Robbins, president and CEO of the Utah Sports Commission, emphasized that the rise in athletes from Utah is a result of dedicated investment from local communities and the state. “Going back from before 2002, when we really didn’t have many athletes here, to where we are now, it has been a remarkable evolution for the state,” Robbins stated.

Utah’s Olympic Legacy Grows

The state has developed world-class venues and year-round training facilities, attracting national governing bodies such as U.S. Ski and Snowboard and U.S. Speedskating. Robbins noted, “We deserve it. We’ve invested so much as a state, the citizens, the venues, and the great partners here.”

Among the athletes heading to Italy is Nick Page, a freestyle mogul skier from Park City, who will be participating in his second Olympic Games. Page, who has trained in Utah since childhood, expressed pride in being part of Team USA and highlighted the significance of the state’s Olympic legacy. “You see this pool behind us? I have basically lived here since I started when I was 7 years old,” he said at the Utah Olympic Park’s aerial training pool. “We’re really so lucky to have this right at our fingertips.”

Of the 81 athletes with Utah ties, 36 will make their Olympic debuts, while others bring a wealth of experience, including four Olympic champions and 14 Olympic medalists. Page feels honored to represent Utah alongside his fellow athletes. “It’s been like that for so many different athletes in Park City and in Utah,” he remarked. “We’re fortunate here.”

The 2026 Winter Olympics will officially commence on February 6, 2026, with the Opening Ceremony marking the beginning of the games. As anticipation builds, Utah’s athletes are ready to showcase their skills on an international stage, reinforcing the state’s reputation as a powerhouse in winter sports.