U.S. Women Winter Olympians: Advocacy Beyond the Podium

Milano-Cortina 2026 is on track to be the most gender-balanced Winter Olympic Games in history, with women projected to account for 47% of the athlete field. These Games build on recent gains for women at the Olympic Games, including the first instance of full gender parity achieved at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

To reflect this moment, we’re highlighting 10 U.S. women Winter Olympians who have done more than reach the podium. Each athlete featured here has earned Olympic medals and used her visibility on the global stage to advocate for positive change beyond competition, contributing to efforts that strengthen communities and improve opportunities for future generations.

Key Insights

Gender balance on the U.S. team: Team USA includes 115 women and 117 men, resulting in a nearly even split across the full delegation.

Medal contributions: At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, U.S. women earned 13 of Team USA’s 25 total medals, including golds across multiple disciplines, highlighting their significant contribution at the podium in Winter Games cycles.

Advocacy beyond results: Several American women Winter Olympic medalists have paired competitive success with public advocacy, addressing issues including mental health, gender equity, athlete safety, disability inclusion, and access to opportunity.

Uneven progress across sports: Despite overall gains, gender equity has advanced at different rates across winter sports, highlighting the role individual athletes continue to play in shaping conversations that extend beyond medal counts.

1. Elana Meyers Taylor

Sport: Bobsled
Olympic medals: 🥈🥈🥈🥉🥉
Advocacy beyond the podium: Maternal health, athlete safety, racial equity

Elana Meyers Taylor has won five Olympic medals in bobsledding across four Winter Games, making her the most decorated Black Winter Olympian in history. She is aiming to compete at Milano-Cortina 2026. Beyond competition, Meyers Taylor has been outspoken about maternal health and athlete safety, including disparities in medical care affecting women and Black mothers. She has also advocated for disability inclusion and athlete welfare and serves as an athlete representative on the USOPC Board of Directors, where she contributes to governance decisions affecting athlete health, safety, and representation.

olympic_advocate_elana_meyers_taylor[1] — Elana Meyers Taylor, of the United States, waves following her run in the fourth heat of the 2-woman bobsled race during the bobsled world championships, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Lake Placid, N.Y. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

olympic_advocate_elana_meyers_taylor_sylvia_hoffman[1] — Elana Meyers Taylor and Sylvia Hoffman, of the United States, celebrate their bronze medal in the women's bobsleigh at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, in the Yanqing district of Beijing. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

“I think the biggest problem we have in this society is that we don’t value those who aren’t able to achieve as much…It’s weird coming from an Olympic athlete, because people think, ‘Oh, you have a certain status because of what you’ve achieved.’ But at the end of the day, I’m a full proponent of everyone having value regardless of what they achieve, and I think that’s a message that needs to be spread.”

2. Lindsey Vonn

Sport: Alpine skiing
Olympic medals: 🥇🥉🥉
Advocacy beyond the podium: Girls’ access to education and sport, mental health awareness

Lindsey Vonn won three Olympic medals in alpine skiing, earning gold in downhill and bronze in super-G at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and a bronze in downhill at the 2018 PyeongChang Games. She is set to return to Olympic competition at Milano-Cortina 2026 after stepping away from the sport in 2019. Beyond competition, Vonn has focused on expanding access and opportunity for young women through the Lindsey Vonn Foundation, which provides scholarships and enrichment programs for girls from underserved communities, awarding more than $1 million to date. Vonn has also spoken publicly about mental health and the pressures of elite sport, contributing to broader conversations around athlete well-being.

olympic_advocate_lindsey_vonn[1] — Skier Lindsey Vonn chats with fan Lauren Krip, 9, of Puerto Rico, after members of the U.S. Women's Ski Team took a team photo after practice at Copper Mountain, Colo., Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

olympic_advocate_lindsey_vonn_medals[1] — Lindsey Vonn from the USA with all the medals she has won in her career. 10 February 2019, Sweden, Are: Alpine skiing, world championship, downhill, ladies: Photo by: Michael Kappeler/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

“When it comes to mental health, I’ve found it’s good to be open minded. Mental health is your well-being … We can all benefit from having an extra support system, because sometimes life is hard and it’s important to have someone you can talk to.”

3. Hilary Knight

Sport: Ice hockey
Olympic medals: 🥇🥈🥈🥈
Advocacy beyond the podium: Gender equity, pay equity in women’s sports

Hilary Knight has won four Olympic medals with the U.S. women’s ice hockey team, including gold at the 2018 Winter Games and silver medals in 2010, 2014, and 2022, and is expected to compete at Milano-Cortina 2026. Off the ice, she has been a leading voice for gender equity in women’s hockey, including her role in negotiations with USA Hockey in 2017 that improved compensation and support for women’s programs. Knight also played a key role in the formation of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association, which worked to establish a viable professional league and clearer career pathways for elite female players. Knight has also spoken about the importance of visibility and inclusion in sport, including sharing her experience as an openly queer athlete.

olympic_advocate_hilary_knight_alex_carpenter[1] — United States forward Hilary Knight, left, celebrates with forward Alex Carpenter at Rivalry Series women's hockey game against Canada in 2025 (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

olympic_advocate_hilary_knight[1] — United States forward Hilary Knight, left, celebrates with forward Alex Carpenter at Rivalry Series women's hockey game against Canada in 2025 (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

“I’m a part of the queer community and I think it’s awesome that we have these great feats on ice and that also brings visibility and more storytelling to the space that is underrepresented in many ways…Hopefully our story can have a small impact on someone in a positive way, and that’s just such a huge win.”

4. Jessie Diggins

Sport: Cross-country skiing
Olympic medals: 🥇🥈🥉
Advocacy beyond the podium: Athlete health, eating disorder awareness, climate advocacy

Jessie Diggins has won three Olympic medals in cross-country skiing, earning bronze at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and silver and gold at the 2022 Beijing Games. Beyond competition, Diggins has spoken publicly about her experience with an eating disorder earlier in her career, emphasizing health and recovery in endurance sports. She is also active in climate advocacy, noting the impact of environmental change on winter sports, and is a member of Protect Our Winters’ Athlete Alliance.

olympic_advocate_jessie_diggins_silver_medal[1] — United States forward Hilary Knight, left, celebrates with forward Alex Carpenter at Rivalry Series women's hockey game against Canada in 2025 (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

olympic_advocate_jessie_diggins[1] — United States forward Hilary Knight, left, celebrates with forward Alex Carpenter at Rivalry Series women's hockey game against Canada in 2025 (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

“Athletes back in the day were taught to ‘shut up and dribble, stay in your lane. How dare you have an opinion on something that isn’t your exact sport and trying to win.’ But I’ve been very passionate about caring about things and using this platform, because I see it as such an amazing opportunity…I could just bury my head in the sand and watch the world burn, or I could do what I can, where I can, when I can.”

5. Mikaela Shiffrin

Sport: Alpine skiing
Olympic medals: 🥇🥇🥈
Advocacy beyond the podium: Mental health, athlete well-being

Mikaela Shiffrin has won three Olympic medals across two Winter Games, earning gold in slalom at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, gold in giant slalom at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, and silver in the combined event. She is expected to compete again at Milano-Cortina 2026. Beyond competition, Shiffrin has spoken openly about grief after a personal loss, anxiety, and the psychological challenges of elite performance, contributing to broader conversations around mental health and well-being for individual-sport athletes.

olympic_advocate_mikaela_shiffrin_gold[1] — Women's slalom gold medal winner Mikaela Shiffrin poses for photographers with the U.S. flag at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)

olympic_advocate_mikaela_shiffrin_father[1] — Mikaela Shiffrin poses with her father, Jeff Shiffrin, after winning the women’s World Cup slalom race in Aspen, Colorado, on Nov. 28, 2015. Shiffrin has spoken about the lasting influence of her father, who died in February 2020 following an accident at his home in Colorado. (AP Photo/Nathan Bilow)

“When [my Dad] was gone, I didn’t want to ski. I didn’t want to eat. I didn’t even want to sleep…We equate winning with being okay, and failure with being not okay… The real truth is that I’m neither… It really depends on the day, and it has almost nothing to do with how fast I came done a mountain.”

6. Chloe Kim

Sport: Snowboarding
Olympic medals: 🥇🥇
Advocacy beyond the podium: Mental health, youth athlete well-being, anti-Asian hate awareness

Chloe Kim won Olympic gold in halfpipe at the 2018 Winter Olympics at age 17 and added a second gold at the 2022 Beijing Games. She is expected to return at Milano-Cortina 2026. Beyond competition, Kim has spoken openly about burnout, pressure, and the challenges of growing up under global scrutiny, including her decision to step away from the sport to prioritize her mental health. She has also used her platform to address racism and anti-Asian hate, sharing her experiences and emphasizing the importance of visibility and support for young athletes navigating sport and identity.

olympic_advocate_chloe_kim[1] — Chloe Kim celebrates after winning gold in the women’s halfpipe at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Zhangjiakou, China, on Feb. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

olympic_advocate_chloe_kim_press_conference[1] — Chloe Kim speaks with reporters during a press preview event promoting the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Los Angeles in 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

“Just because I’m a professional athlete or won the Olympics doesn’t exempt me from racism… I’ve experience it since I was a child…I was nervous to share my experience with racism, but we need to hear more of these conversations. I’ve received so many messages from people saying they are inspired by me sharing what I’ve been through and that makes me feel hopeful, and like I can still do so much more.”

7. Michelle Kwan

Sport: Figure skating
Olympic medals: 🥈🥉
Advocacy beyond the podium: Inclusion, disability advocacy, youth sport access

Michelle Kwan won two Olympic medals in figure skating, earning silver at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics and bronze at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. Beyond competition, she has been a longtime advocate for inclusion in sport through her work with the Special Olympics, serving as a global ambassador for more than two decades. In that role, Kwan has supported programs that expand access to sports for athletes with intellectual disabilities and promote inclusive communities through sport. She has also supported initiatives tied to the Women’s Sports Foundation, which works to expand access and opportunity for girls and women in athletics, and has spoken publicly about reshaping how athletes define success by emphasizing resilience and personal growth alongside competitive results.

olympic_advocate_michelle_kwan_bronze[1] — Medalists from the women’s figure skating competition at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City pose during the medal ceremony on Feb. 21, 2002. From left are Michelle Kwan of the United States (bronze), Sarah Hughes of the United States (gold), and Irina Slutskaya of Russia (silver). (AP Photo/Doug Mills)

olympic_advocate_michelle_kwan_sport_women_of_the_year[1] — Michelle Kwan, left, receives the US Olympic Committee (USOC), sport women of the year award from USOC Vice President Paul E. George during The John Hancock Champions on Ice 2004 (AP Photo/Bizuayehu Tesfaye)

“I remember when a young mom came up to me when I was 13 years old…’ I have a daughter who wants to be just like you, she skates around the living room.’ At the time, I didn’t understand, but then I thought, it’s a really big responsibility to be a role model for young kids. I understand the responsibility.”

8. Erin Jackson

Sport: Speed skating
Olympic medals: 🥇
Advocacy beyond the podium: Access, representation, disability inclusion in sport

Erin Jackson won Olympic gold in the 500 meters at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, becoming the first Black woman to win an individual Olympic medal in long-track speed skating. Erin is expected to compete again at Milano-Cortina 2026. She entered the sport through inline skating, an uncommon pathway in speed skating. Jackson has spoken about financial and access barriers in winter sports and has supported younger athletes by sharing resources. She is also active with the Sisters in Sports Foundation, which supports women with disabilities through mentorship and advocacy.

olympic_advocate_erin_jackson_gold[1] — Erin Jackson, the first Black woman to win Olympic gold for the U.S. in long-track speed skating, visits the Empire State Building in New York in 2022. (Lev Radin/Sipa USA via AP Images)

olympic_advocate_erin_jackson_skating_trials[1] — Erin Jackson competes in the women's 500 meters at the U.S. Olympic trials for long track speed skating at the Pettit National Ice Center Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

“I started thinking, ‘We’ve got to do something to get more representation … Hopefully people will see the success of other minority athletes in the winter sports, and think, ‘Oh, maybe I can try these things too.’”

9. Peggy Fleming

Sport: Figure skating
Olympic medals: 🥇
Advocacy beyond the podium: Women’s health, breast cancer awareness

Peggy Fleming won Olympic gold in figure skating at the 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympics, becoming one of the most recognizable U.S. Winter Olympians of her era. Beyond competition, Fleming became a prominent advocate for women’s health after surviving breast cancer, using her public platform to raise awareness around early detection and treatment. She later served as a national spokesperson for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, helping bring greater visibility to breast cancer advocacy at a time when public discussion of the disease was far more limited. Her work illustrates how advocacy by women Winter Olympians has extended beyond sport for decades, influencing public health conversations well outside the Olympic arena.

olympic_advocate_peggy_fleming[1] — Women’s figure skating medalists stand on the podium at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France, on Feb. 10, 1968. From left are Gabriele Seyfert of France (silver), Peggy Fleming of the United States (gold), and Hana Mašková of Czechoslovakia (bronze). (AP Photo)

olympic_advocate_peggy_fleming_legacy[1] — Peggy Fleming waves next to a painting of her at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

“The highest risk of getting breast cancer is just being a woman…Early detection is key… It saved my life…[and] I felt I really needed to share this…It really helped me, and now I want to help others.”

10. Kristi Yamaguchi

Sport: Figure skating
Olympic medals: 🥇
Advocacy beyond the podium: Literacy, youth education, access to learning

Kristi Yamaguchi won Olympic gold in figure skating at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics. Beyond competition, she has focused her advocacy on childhood literacy through Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation, which partners with schools and community organizations to support early reading and learning in underserved communities. The program has worked with dozens of schools and reached thousands of children and family members by providing books, digital libraries, and support for building reading routines at home. Yamaguchi has also mentored younger skaters, sharing guidance on handling pressure and navigating competition, extending her impact to future generations both on and off the ice.

olympic_advocate_kristi_yamaguchi_gold[1] — Gold medal winner Kristi Yamaguchi is kissed by her teammate and bronze medal winner, Nancy Kerrigan, right, during the medals ceremony at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France (AP Photo/Marcy Nighswander).

olympic_advocate_kristi_yamaguchi_childrens_book[1] — Kristi Yamaguchi poses with her children’s book Dream Big, Little Pig during an event supporting the PBS KIDS Summer Reading Challenge at the Walnut Creek Library in California, on June 2, 2011. (Tony Avelar/AP Images for iVillage)

“In order for kids to really have that opportunity to go for their dreams, they had to have a strong education. And where does that start? It starts with literacy. That’s the foundation. That’s what is going to set them up for success in school.”

Advocacy Beyond the Podium at the Winter Olympics

The Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics reflect continued progress toward gender balance, moving closer to the parity and advocacy showcased at the Paris 2024 Summer Games. While women now represent a near-equal share of competitors, gaps remain across the Winter Olympic program, including Nordic combined as the only remaining male-only event.

From climate advocacy tied to the future of winter sports to efforts focused on gender equity and access to opportunity, these athletes have used their platforms to engage on issues that extend beyond competition. Their work shows how Olympic visibility can shape conversations in sport and communities across the country; while also inspiring future generations of athletes to use the platforms they earn through competition to drive meaningful change.

Sources

“Who is qualified for Team USA for 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.” Source: NBC Sports.
“Milano-Cortina 2026 to be most gender balanced Olympic Winter Games ever.” Source: Olympics.
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“Gender Equality Through Time.” Source: Olympics.
“Team USA: Milana Cortina 2026 Olympics.” Team USA.
“I want to remember everything, by Mikaela Shiffrin” Source: The Player’s Tribune.
“Mikaela Shiffrin Q & A.” Source: NBC.
“In ‘Rise,’ Lindsey Vonn tells how she found joy in retirement through serendipitous meeting”. Source: NBC Sports.
“The Shrewd steps that led U.S. women to landmark deal” Source: ESPN.
“Hilary Knight’s Monumental Impact on and off the ice” Source: NBC.
“I don’t feel accepted – Why Chloe Kim spoke out on anti-Asian Hate”. Source: ESPN.
“Olympian Jessie Diggins using her voice for climate advocacy: ‘What am I to not care?’”. Source: NBC.
“Michelle Kwan, Global Ambassador.” Source: Special Olympics.
“Michelle Kwan enshrined in U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame.” Source: Figure Skaters Online.
“How Olympic gold medalist Erin Jacksin is investing in the next generation.” Source: NBC Sports.
“Elana Meyers Taylor is reshaping the world for her sons and the disability community.” Source: NBC Sports.
“Kristi Yamaguchi Turning the Page on Her Legacy.” Source: US Figure Skating.
“Fleming’s Cancer Battle Leads Her to Speak Out.” Source: LA Times.
“Team USA Reveals Ski and Snowboarding Roster for 2026 Winter Olympics: ‘One of the Strongest Teams We Have Ever Sent.’” Source: People.

About the Author

Jen Geoghegan

Writer, Entertainment and News

Jen Geoghegan is a contributing writer at The Sports Geek, focusing on entertainment, politics, and news. With a BA in English from the University of Guelph, Jen combines her writing prowess with her ever-expanding knowledge of the industry. Outside work, she enjoys outdoor activities like camping and skiing with her family.

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