Olympic cross-country skiing is a test of endurance, strength and technique, where athletes race across varying terrain using either classic or freestyle techniques. Events range from sprints to long-distance races and include individual and team formats. With a combination of uphill, downhill and flat sections, competitors must balance speed and stamina to succeed.
Cross-country skiing has been part of the Olympics since the inaugural event, the Olympic Winter Games Chamonix 1924. Initially a men’s-only competition, women’s events were introduced at the Olympic Winter Games Oslo 1952. Over the years, the sport has evolved with changes in techniques, equipment and race formats, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of winter endurance sports.
Team USA has competed in cross-country skiing in the Olympics since the first Winter Games in 1924. While traditionally dominated by European nations, U.S. athletes have made strides in recent years, with standout performances in relay events and individual sprints. Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall secured Team USA’s first-ever gold medal in the sport at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, marking a historic achievement.
Olympic cross-country skiing features multiple race formats, including classic and freestyle techniques, with distances ranging from short sprints to grueling 50-kilometer races. Events include individual and mass-start races, team relays, and pursuit competitions. Athletes compete on meticulously groomed courses designed to test both their technical skills and physical endurance.
Follow along the figure skaters' road to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
Check out all the events Team USA athletes will be competing in on the road to Milano Cortina 2026.
| name | sport | Education | hometown | age | Medals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KO Katherine Oldham Sport: Cross-Country Skiing | Cross-Country Skiing | ||||||||
 | Cross-Country Skiing | Appleton, WI | 22 | ||||||
 Erik Bjornsen Olympian 2014, 2018 Sport: Cross-Country Skiing Education: Liberty Bell High School (Winthrop, Wash.) ‘08 Alaska Pacific University, Business Administration Hometown: Winthrop, WA Age: 34 | Cross-Country Skiing | Liberty Bell High School (Winthrop, Wash.) ‘08 Alaska Pacific University, Business Administration | Winthrop, WA | 34 | |||||
 Sadie Bjornsen Olympian 2014, 2018 Sport: Cross-Country Skiing Education: Liberty Bell High School (Winthrop, Wash.) ‘08 Alaska Pacific University ‘15 Hometown: Winthrop, WA Age: 36 | Cross-Country Skiing | Liberty Bell High School (Winthrop, Wash.) ‘08 Alaska Pacific University ‘15 | Winthrop, WA | 36 | |||||
 Kevin Bolger Olympian 2022 Sport: Cross-Country Skiing Education: University of Utah Hometown: Minocqua, WI Age: 32 | Cross-Country Skiing | University of Utah | Minocqua, WI | 32 | |||||
 Rosie Brennan Olympian 2018, 2022, 2026 Sport: Cross-Country Skiing Education: Alaska Pacific University ‘17 Hometown: Park City, UT Age: 37 Qualified | Milano Cortina 2026 | Cross-Country Skiing | Alaska Pacific University ‘17 | Park City, UT | 37 | |||||
 Sophie Caldwell Olympian 2014, 2018 Sport: Cross-Country Skiing Education: Stratton Mountain School Dartmouth College ‘12, Psychology Hometown: Peru, VT Age: 35 | Cross-Country Skiing | Stratton Mountain School Dartmouth College ‘12, Psychology | Peru, VT | 35 | |||||
 Patrick Caldwell Olympian 2018 Sport: Cross-Country Skiing Education: Stratton Mountain School (Stratton, Vt.) Dartmouth College ’17, Geography and Economics Hometown: Lebanon, NH Age: 32 | Cross-Country Skiing | Stratton Mountain School (Stratton, Vt.) Dartmouth College ’17, Geography and Economics | Lebanon, NH | 32 | |||||
 Jessie Diggins Olympian 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026 Sport: Cross-Country Skiing Education: Stillwater Area High School ‘10 Hometown: Afton, MN Age: 34 Number of olympic medals this Athlete has won
Qualified | Milano Cortina 2026 | Cross-Country Skiing | Stillwater Area High School ‘10 | Afton, MN | 34 | Number of olympic medals this Athlete has won
| ||||
 Rosie Frankowski Olympian 2018 Sport: Cross-Country Skiing Education: Southwest High School (Minneapolis, Minn.) ‘09 Northern Michigan University, BA Spanish and Political Science (’13), MS in Public Administration (’14); Alaska Pacific University, MBA (’16) Hometown: Minneapolis, MN Age: 34 | Cross-Country Skiing | Southwest High School (Minneapolis, Minn.) ‘09 Northern Michigan University, BA Spanish and Political Science (’13), MS in Public Administration (’14); Alaska Pacific University, MBA (’16) | Minneapolis, MN | 34 | |||||
Figure skates have a stiff boot for ankle support and a blade with toe picks to aid in jumps and spins. Pairs and ice dancers use slightly different blade profiles to accommodate their specific movements.
Olympic figure skating competitions take place on a standard 60-meter by 30-meter ice rink, marked for technical elements but free of other lines or obstacles.
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