Cooper McLeod

Quick Facts

• Speciality: 500m, 1,000m
• Started roller skating at 11 months old
• Enjoys music and plays the guitar

Biographical Information

Cooper McLeod was born in Mount Vernon, Washington, and started roller skating at 11 months old. He first started competing at age 3 and moved to the ice when he was 8 years old after watching speedskating at the Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010.

McLeod finished third at the 2022 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 500m when the U.S. had two Olympic spots in the event, missing the team by fraction of a second. He would make his first national team the following season and two years later won his first world medal, a bronze, in the 500m at the world championships. 

Off the ice, McLeod enjoys music and plays the guitar. On the ice, he often listens to 80s hits to stay relaxed. McLeod says on his pre-race music choice: “If you’re a little too tense, you’re not going to be having a good time. If you’re not having a good time you’re not going to do well.

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2025 – bronze (500m - Men, Team Sprint - Men), 4th (1000m - Men)
• Years of participation: 1000m - Men 2023, 2024, 2025; 500m - Men 2023, 2024, 2025; Team Sprint - Men 2023, 2024, 2025
• Medals: 2 (2 bronze)
• Bronze – 2025 (500m - Men, Team Sprint - Men)

Olympic Experience

• 1-time Olympian
• Olympic Games Milan 2026, 19th (1000m - Men), 22th (500m - Men)