A soldier who refuses to quit. A fearless “ice queen” defying age and gravity. And a young man who lost everything — yet found the strength to carry his family’s dream all the way to the Olympics.
After a string of electric performances at the U.S. National Championships, 16 figure skaters have been named to represent Team USA at the 2026 Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics, including reigning world champions in men’s, women’s and ice dance. But behind the medals and scores lie stories of heartbreak, resilience and sheer determination.
One of America’s strongest pairs teams, shockingly, won’t be going — blocked by citizenship rules. Meanwhile, others are skating into history against all odds.
Here’s why each journey to Milan is anything but ordinary.
Men
Maxim Naumov: Skating Through Unimaginable Loss
No one — including Maxim Naumov himself — knew if he would ever compete again.
Last winter, his parents and lifelong coaches, world champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were killed in a midair plane crash that claimed 65 lives, including young skaters from the program they founded. Suddenly, the only child was left without family, mentors or a roadmap forward.
Instead of walking away, Maxim built something new. He assembled an entirely new coaching team, doubled down on training, and even took over his parents’ role as director of Tomorrow’s Champions, their skating school.
After finishing fourth at three straight U.S. Championships, history seemed ready to repeat itself following the short program. But Naumov delivered when it mattered most — surging in the free skate, beating two-time Olympian Jason Brown, and winning bronze.
It was the moment he and his parents had always dreamed of: Maxim Naumov is an Olympian.
Ilia Malinin: The “Quad God” Pushes the Limits Again
Ilia Malinin didn’t just win his fourth U.S. title — he put on a full-blown spectacle.
Known as the “Quad God,” Malinin unleashed a barrage of quadruple jumps and even threw in backflips for good measure. Dubbed the “Simone Biles of figure skating,” he remains the only skater in history to land a quadruple Axel in competition — and he shows no signs of slowing down.
Andrew Torgashev: Artistry, Athleticism… and Pizza
On the ice, Andrew Torgashev blends power with elegance. Off the ice, he’s famous for something far less traditional: his pizza diet.
While recovering from injury in 2022, Torgashev committed to eating one pizza a day — a plan he says helped him enjoy food while getting back into competition shape. Luckily for him, Milan may be the perfect Olympic destination.
Women
Amber Glenn: Defying Age, Gravity and Expectations
At 26, Amber Glenn is rewriting history.
After more than a decade of public struggles, she just claimed her third straight U.S. title, becoming the oldest American women’s singles skater to reach the Olympics since 1927. And she’s not playing it safe — Glenn is the only U.S. woman consistently attempting and landing the ultra-risky triple Axel.
Alysa Liu: Leaving — and Finding Her Way Back
Alysa Liu retired after her first Olympics at just 16, walked away from the sport, and went to college. She didn’t miss the medals — she missed the joy.
Last season, she returned. Then stunned the skating world by winning the world championship.
Isabeau Levito: Old Hollywood Glamour on Ice
Whether channeling Audrey Hepburn or Sophia Loren, 18-year-old Isabeau Levito brings classic movie-star elegance to the rink — without sacrificing athletic firepower.
Her Olympic debut will be especially meaningful: Milan is her mother’s hometown.
Ice Dance
Madison Chock & Evan Bates: Gold Still Within Reach
Married, dominant and record-breaking, Madison Chock and Evan Bates just captured their seventh U.S. title.
This will be their fourth Olympics together — and their first as husband and wife. With three world titles already secured, only one prize remains missing: individual Olympic gold.
Emilea Zingas & Vadym Kolesnik: Love, Speed and Survival
Whether skating to ‘90s R&B or dark classical drama, this team’s energy is explosive.
Their rapid rise contrasts sharply with reality back home for Kolesnik, whose family remains in Ukraine — where, according to NBC Sports, his childhood home was destroyed by bombing.
Christina Carreira & Anthony Ponomarenko: No Nepo Baby Here
Anthony Ponomarenko may be the son of Olympic champions Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko — but his success is fully earned.
Alongside Christina Carreira, who became a U.S. citizen just two months ago, he’s crafted a bold, cinematic style so vivid that reigning Olympic champion Gabriella Papadakis has called their performances Oscar-worthy. Their free dance is set to music from Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.
Pairs
Left Behind: Alisa Efimova & Misha Mitrofanov
They’re the best pairs team in America — twice crowned U.S. champions — yet they won’t be in Milan.
Efimova, a Finnish native, hasn’t met the three-year citizenship requirement despite efforts to secure a waiver. Even marriage and back-to-back national titles weren’t enough to change the rules.
Ellie Kam & Danny O’Shea: Pain, Patience and Perseverance
For Ellie Kam, 21, and Danny O’Shea, 34, Milan marks a long-awaited breakthrough. O’Shea has chased this dream with multiple partners since 2014 — even competing at the 2025 World Championships with a broken foot.
Emily Chan & Spencer Howe: From Disaster to Destiny
After a disastrous eighth-place short program, most thought their Olympic hopes were over.
Instead, Chan and Howe staged a dramatic comeback — placing third in the free skate and stealing the final Olympic spot. Howe knows how to wear the uniform under pressure: he’s also an active-duty Army soldier.
