With the Milan-Cortina Olympics just one year away, here are some American athletes poised to take center stage.

The U.S. boasts a roster full of stars, including returning gold medalists and emerging athletes who have made their mark since the last Winter Games. 

Feb. 12, 2025, 4:40 PM GMT+6 

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One Year to Go: The Milan Cortina Olympics Promise Iconic Scenery and Historic Feats

The Milan Cortina Olympics, now just a year away, are set to be one of the most visually stunning Winter Games in history. Billed as the most geographically expansive Games ever, events will span multiple locations across Northern Italy, from Milan to Cortina d’Ampezzo—160 miles apart.

A record-breaking 116 medal events will take place over 16 days, with the Games bookended by grand ceremonies: the opening at Milan’s legendary San Siro Stadium and the closing at Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheater. The U.S., a top-five finisher in total medals at each of the last six Winter Olympics, boasts an impressive lineup of returning champions and rising stars. Here’s a look at some of the biggest names to watch.

Mikaela Shiffrin Aims for Alpine Redemption

Mikaela Shiffrin, a gold medalist in 2014 and 2018, had a disappointing 2022 Olympics, failing to finish her top three events and leaving without a medal. Since then, she has rewritten history—becoming the all-time leader in World Cup victories (99 and counting), securing two more overall season titles, and cementing her status as the most decorated modern world championship skier.

Despite injury setbacks in early 2024, Shiffrin is back in action. Turning 30 in March, she remains a dominant force, particularly in slalom and giant slalom. In Milan Cortina, she has the opportunity to become the first American to win three Olympic Alpine gold medals and the oldest U.S. woman to do so.

Lindsey Vonn’s Comeback for One Last Olympics

At 40, Lindsey Vonn is back after a five-year retirement, setting her sights on a fifth Olympic appearance before officially calling it quits. Once the record-holder for women’s World Cup wins (82) and the only American woman to win Olympic downhill gold (2010), Vonn stepped away in 2019 due to injuries.

However, after undergoing partial knee replacement surgery, she made a triumphant return to racing. Competing pain-free for the first time in years, she’s already secured top-six finishes in World Cup events this season. If she qualifies, she will be the oldest U.S. Alpine skier in Olympic history.

Ilia Malinin: The ‘Quad God’ of Figure Skating

In 2022, Ilia Malinin was left off the U.S. Olympic team despite finishing second at Nationals. Now, the 20-year-old is the undisputed star of men’s figure skating. The son of former Olympic skaters, Malinin has revolutionized the sport with his jumping ability—becoming the first to land a quadruple axel in competition and the only skater to execute all six types of quads in a single program.

With back-to-back world titles and an eight-competition winning streak, he’s the favorite to claim gold in Milan Cortina. If he does, he’ll be the first American man since Nathan Chen (2022) and only the second since Dick Button (1948) to win gold in his Olympic debut.

Chloe Kim Returns to Snowboarding’s Biggest Stage

Two-time Olympic halfpipe champion Chloe Kim has a habit of stepping away from competition after every Games—only to return stronger. Over the last year, she’s pushed women’s snowboarding forward, landing groundbreaking tricks, including a 1260 and a double cork 1080 in competition.

Despite taking breaks, she remains the sport’s biggest name and recently secured consecutive X Games titles. A gold in Milan Cortina would tie her with Shaun White for the most Olympic halfpipe titles (three).

Jordan Stolz: The Speedskating ‘Fighter Jet’

Nicknamed “Straaljager” (Dutch for “fighter jet”) after dominating the 2023 World Championships, Jordan Stolz has emerged as America’s next great speedskater. The Wisconsin native, inspired by watching Apolo Ohno at the 2010 Olympics, underwhelmed in his 2022 Olympic debut but has since taken the sport by storm.

Now a two-time world champion in the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m—and the world record holder in the 1000m—Stolz has won 18 straight World Cup races. In Milan Cortina, he could match the legendary Eric Heiden by winning three golds in a single Games.

Jessie Diggins Looks to Make More History

Best known for her thrilling gold-medal finish in the 2018 Olympic team sprint, Jessie Diggins has since become the most decorated U.S. cross-country skier in history. She now holds an Olympic medal of every color, two World Cup overall titles, and multiple world championship podiums.

Open about her personal struggles, including overcoming an eating disorder, Diggins continues to inspire. She has committed to competing through Milan Cortina, where she could become the first American to win an individual Olympic cross-country skiing gold.