24 Events Featuring Black U.S. Athletes - This graphic represents a combined number of medal events where Black U.S. athletes 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
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
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) -
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.Age: 33
Hometown: Ocala, Florida
Background: Former inline skating champion; transitioned to ice in 2017
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
Winter Olympics date
https://news.bet365.com/en-gb/article/winter-olympics-host-date-venues-events/2025012909425412780
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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