Winter Olympics: Black Athletes To Watch At Milano Cortina 2026
- Black athletes are no longer just 'firsts' or 'exceptions' - they are contenders, medal threats, and faces of their sports.
Milano Cortina 2026 is officially right around the corner. The Winter Olympics will take place February 6th-22nd, split between Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and several other iconic Italian mountain venues. Every four years, the Winter Games bring together the world’s best athletes to compete on ice and snow, showcasing speed, precision, power, and fearlessness in some of the most demanding sports on the planet.
The Winter Olympics date back to 1924, when the first Games were held in Chamonix, France. Unlike the Summer Olympics, which center on track and field, swimming, and team sports, the Winter Games focus on cold-weather competition. Sports include speed skating, figure skating, alpine skiing, snowboarding, bobsled, luge, skeleton, ice hockey, and more. It’s a different stage, with different barriers, and historically, access hasn’t always been equal.
For Black athletes, the Winter Olympics have long been an uphill climb. Structural barriers, cost, geography, and access made winter sports feel out of reach for many communities. Still, trailblazers broke through anyway. Debi Thomas shattered expectations in the late ’80s as the first Black athlete to win a Winter Olympic medal, proving grace and greatness could coexist on ice. Shani Davis later redefined dominance, becoming the first Black athlete to win individual gold medals at the Winter Games. Vonetta Flowers made history of her own as the first Black Olympian to win gold in a Winter Olympic event. Their breakthroughs weren’t just personal wins — they cracked doors open for generations that followed.
Because of that foundation, today’s generation is deeper, louder, and more visible than ever. Black athletes are no longer just “firsts” or “exceptions” — they’re contenders, medal threats, and faces of their sports. Representation matters here not just symbolically, but practically: it inspires younger athletes, challenges outdated stereotypes, and pushes governing bodies to invest more equitably.
As Milano Cortina 2026 approaches, the spotlight is shining brighter on a group of Black athletes who aren’t just showing up — they’re showing out. Here are the competitors fans should absolutely have on their radar.
Black Athletes To Watch At The Winter Olympics:
Erin Jackson – Speed Skating
One of the fastest women in the world on ice, Erin Jackson, made history as the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal in speed skating at the Beijing 2022 Games. She’s a dominant force in the 500 meters and enters Milano Cortina as a legitimate gold-medal favorite again. Jackson isn’t just elite — she’s redefining what dominance looks like in her sport.
Laila Edwards – Ice Hockey
Laila Edwards is already a history-maker, becoming the first Black woman to play for Team USA in an international women’s hockey competition. Known for her size, skill, and scoring ability, Edwards represents the next wave of American hockey talent. By cracking the Olympic roster, she brings both power and cultural impact to the ice.
Elana Meyers Taylor – Bobsled
A veteran leader and the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympic history, Elana Meyers Taylor has medaled across multiple Olympic Games. Competing in both two-woman and monobob events, she’s known for her consistency, leadership, and longevity. Milano Cortina could add yet another chapter to an already legendary résumé.
Kaysha Love – Skeleton
Kaysha Love competes in skeleton, one of the most adrenaline-heavy sports in the Winter Games. Sliding headfirst at extreme speeds, she represents the growing Black presence in sliding sports. Love has steadily climbed the international ranks and could be a breakout name heading into this year’s events.
Azaria Hill – Bobsled
Azaria Hill is part of the new generation of U.S. bobsled. With a background in track and explosive athleticism, she brings raw speed and power to the sled. Hill is a name to watch as Team USA continues to reload its women’s bobsled pipeline.
Samuel Ikpefan – Alpine Skiing
Representing France, Samuel Ikpefan competes in alpine skiing and has steadily built his international profile. Alpine skiing has historically lacked diversity, making Ikpefan’s presence especially significant. He’s helping push visibility forward in one of the Winter Olympics’ most traditional sports.
Sabrina Simader – Alpine Skiing
Sabrina Simader made history as Kenya’s first-ever Olympic alpine skier. Competing at the highest level despite limited resources, her journey alone is inspirational. Simader continues to be a symbol of perseverance and global representation in winter sports.
Issa Laborde – Alpine Skiing
Issa Laborde represents Kenta on the international alpine skiing stage, helping expand East African countries’ footprint in the Winter Olympics. His presence challenges outdated ideas of who belongs in snow sports. Laborde’s story is about visibility, access, and redefining tradition.
Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda – Alpine Skiing
Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda made history as Ethiopia’s first Winter Olympian, competing in alpine skiing. A pioneer for African representation at the Winter Games, Abeda’s impact goes far beyond results. Every run he takes opens doors for future athletes from underrepresented regions.
As the Winter Olympics get closer, these Black athletes represent more than medals—they represent progress.
Black excellence has always existed in winter sports; now the world is finally being forced to pay attention.
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Winter Olympics: Black Athletes To Watch At Milano Cortina 2026 was originally published on cassiuslife.com
