BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND THE 2026 MILAN CORTINA WINTER OLYMPICS

24 Events Featuring Black U.S. Athletes - This graphic represents a combined number of medal events where Black American competitors may appear in 2026, across all winter olympic sports. 

Noted individuals above include:

• Elana Meyers Taylor – Bobsled pilot & monobob
• Sylvia Hoffman – Bobsled brakeman
• Jasmine Jones – Bobsled brakeman
• Hakeem Abdul-Saboor – 4-man bobsled
• Nic Taylor – 4-man bobsled
• Nick Miles – 4-man bobsled
• Kelly Curtis – Skeleton
• Jon Singletary – Bobsled push athlete (development program)
• Jordan Greenway – Ice hockey
• Erin Jackson – Speed skating
• Brittany Bowe – Speed skating

Comments: No Black American or African-descent U.S. athletes are expected to compete in Alpine Skiing events in 2026.

2026 WINTER OLYMPICS - BLACK HISTORY MONTH FULL BREAKDOWN -  116 EVENTS & 16 SPORTS

including traditional events (skiing, figure skating...)

and newer ones (ski mountaineering)

Black History Month is February 2026 and ironically the U.S. is sending one of its most diverse and dynamic group of Black and African-descent athletes to the 2026 Winter Olympics. It will be held primarily in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo in Northern Italy. 

These athletes are viving for medals in skiing, skating, bobsled, skeleton, hockey, and freestyle events breaking barriers while excelling on the world stage.

The Opening Ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic  Games is Feb. 6, 2026, on NBC and Peacock. 

NBC Olympics will provide coverage of the XXV Olympic Winter Games on CNBC and USA Network. Olympics.com offers free clips of highlights, interviews and live updates. Local NBC stations offer free over-the-air viewing.

Streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and DirecTV Stream often have free trial periods that include NBC, USA, and CNBC and allow you to stream the Olympics live for short periods at no cost.

HOW TO WATCH: 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Viewing Schedule) - Trials Coverage Begins Wed, Feb 4, 2026 

4:30 AM (CST) Alpine Skiing Men's Downhill Training

Week 1 - Opening Week (Feb 6 - 9, 2026)

- Opening Ceremony

- First Rounds: Speed Skating, Figure Skating, Ski Jumping

- Team USA Early Events

Week 2 - Championship Events Begin (Feb 10 - 16, 2026)

- Figure Skating Medals

- Alpine Skiing Finals

- Snowboarding Halfpipe & Slopestyle

- Speed Skating 500m/1000m

Week 3 - Final Events & Closing Ceremony (Feb 17 - 22, 2026)

- Hockey & Curling Finals

- Bobsled & Skeleton

- Final Figure Skating

- Closing Ceremony

Get the complete schedule of events...

https://www.nbcolympics.com/schedule

13 different venues will be used during the Games...
1. Milan Cluster - hosting the opening ceremony, ice hockey, speed skating and figure skating
2. Cortina d'Ampezzo Cluster - hosting Aline skiing, biathlon, curling, bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton 
3. Valtellina Cluster - hosting Alpine skiing, ski mountaineering, snowboarding, and freestyle skiing
4. Val di Fiemme Cluster - hosting ski jumping, and Nordic combined
5. Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium - hosting cross-country skiing and nordic combined

6. Verona Olympic Arena - hosting the closing ceremony (and Paralympic Opening Ceremony)..   

Check-out The Olympic Venues (with video details) - 

https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/venues

Brief Profile of Black American & African-Descent Athletes to Watch - Winter Olympics 2026

1. Erin Jackson - Long Track Speedskating
Age: 33
Hometown: Ocala, Florida
Background: Former inline skating champion; transitioned to ice in 2017

Education: Studied Materials Science Engineering, University of Florida; Historic 2022 Olympic Gold Medalist in 500m - first Black woman to win Olympic speedskating gold.

Entering 2026 as a top contender in the 500m & 1000m.

2. Elana Meyers Taylor -  Bobsled

Age: 41

Hometown: Douglasville, Georgia

Education: George Washington University (Softball star)

Road to 2026: 4-time Olympic Medalist; Returning potentially for a final Olympic run in 2-woman bobsledy after giving birth between Olympics.

3. Sylvia Hoffman — Bobsled

Age: 35

From: Arlington, Texas

Background: All-American volleyball player, USA Weightlifting

Road to 2026: 2022 Olympian in Women’s Monobob

Story: Got into the sport through the “Next Olympic Hopeful” scouting program

4. Hakeem Abdul-Saboor — Bobsled

Age: 38

From: Virginia

Profession: Chiropractor, former bodybuilder

Veteran Olympian likely returning.

5. Brittany Bowe - 500m, 1000m, 1500m 

Age: 37

From: Ocala, Florida

Sport: Long-Track Speed Skating

Team USA: 2010 - Present 

Tokyo + Beijing Olympian - she earned a bronze medal in the 1000 meters at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

World Champion, multiple-time World Cup winner, and one of Team USA’s most consistent medal threats in sprints and middle-distance events. Recognized for giving up her 500m spot to Erin Jackson in 2022 when Erin Jackson slipped in the U.S. trials and lost her automatic spot in the Olympics. Brittany Bowe gave up her own 500m slot so Jackson could compete.

6. Jordan Stolz - (African-American heritage through paternal line) - Long Track Speedskating

Age: 21

Hometown: Kewaskum, Wisconsi

Road to 2026: Triple World Champion at age 18; medal favorite at 500m, 1000m, and 1500m

Trained in a barn converted into a private gym. Though often labeled “quiet,” he is one of the most dominant young skaters in the world.

7. Frankie Del Duca - Bobsled (Afro-Latino heritage)

Age: 32 

Hometown: Maine

Road to 2026: competed in 2022; known for  strong push starts & U.S. Army WCAP athlete - represents both military and athletic excellence.

8. Kelsey Stewart -  Bobsled

Age: 28

Hometown: New Jersey

Background: Sprinter, national-level track athlete

Road to 2026: Expected to compete as a brakeman.

9. Maame Biney -  Short Track Speedskating

Age: 24

Birthplace: Accra, Ghana

Raised: Reston, Virginia

Education: University of Utah

Road to 2026: Two-time Olympian (2018, 2022); known for explosive starts and fearless cornering

Story: The first Black woman to make a U.S. Olympic speedskating team. 

10. Andrew Blaser - Skeleton (Black heritage via maternal family)

Age: 35

Hometown: Boise, Idaho

Education: University of Idaho

Story: Former track athlete and U.S. skeleton athlete at the Olympics (2022). Blaser is one of the out gay athletes in winter sports who has not been officially named on the 2026 skelton roster. 

11. Seth Jones -  Defense NHL Prospects (Possible U.S. Roster Adds for 2026 Ice Hockey)

Team: Chicago Blackhawks

Hometown: Arlington, TX

Road to 2026: Veteran NHL All-Star, top defensive candidate for Team USA.

12. Starr Andrews - Figure Skating (Prospects)

Age: 23

Hometown: Los Angeles

First Black U.S. woman to win a Grand Prix medal (2022)

Starr Andrews has not yet been officially named to the 2026 U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team, but qualified and competed at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

ATHLETES OF AFRICAN DESCENT REPRESENTING OTHER COUNTRIES

Samuel Ikpefan - Cross-Country Skiing (Nigeria) - French-born sprinter who represents Nigeria; and 2nd Olympic cycle

Akwasi Frimpong - Skeleton (Ghana) -  Former sprinter; one of Africa’s biggest Winter Olympics ambassadors.

Jamaica Bobsled Team - Always fan favorites; multiple athletes of African descent competing again.

Conclusion - Despite the presence of these trailblazers, Black athletes remain underrepresented in the Winter Olympics. According to Team USA, increasing diversity is an ongoing topic of conversation.

Erin Jackson has spoken about her role as a model for young Blacks wanting to pursue their dreams in winter sports. She also expressed excitement and pressure about defending her title in 2026 - and embraces that visibility.

References

https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/nbc-olympics-announces-hosts-2026-milan-cortina-winter-olympics-coverage-usa-network-and-cnbc

Winter Olympics date
https://news.bet365.com/en-gb/article/winter-olympics-host-date-venues-events/2025012909425412780

Snoop Dogg Returns to NBCUniversal’s Olympic Coverage for Milan Cortina 2026 -
https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/snoop-dogg-returns-nbcuniversals-olympic-coverage-milan-cortina-2026

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