7 U.S. Athletes Compete in Their 5th Olympics This Year

Seven American athletes are proving that Olympic dreams don't have an expiration date as they prepare for their fifth Winter Games in Milan Cortina this February.

Lindsey Vonn leads the inspiring group of five-time Olympians, joined by bobsledders Kaillie Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor, hockey player Hilary Knight, figure skater Evan Bates, and snowboarders Faye Thelen and Nick Baumgartner. The U.S. Olympic Committee announced the full 232-athlete roster on Monday.

These veterans bring serious medal credentials to Italy. Meyers Taylor has collected five Olympic medals across her career, while Humphries boasts three gold medals. The roster also includes current champions Mikaela Shiffrin and Chloe Kim, who have two golds each.

The team spans generations, from 15-year-old freeskier Abby Winterberger to 54-year-old curler Rich Ruohonen. That 39-year age gap shows the incredible range of talent representing Team USA.

Why This Inspires

These five-time Olympians represent something bigger than medals. They've dedicated decades to their sports, weathering injuries, setbacks, and the constant pressure of world-class competition. Their return to the Games proves that passion and persistence can outlast any timeline society puts on athletic careers.

For younger athletes on the roster, competing alongside these legends provides invaluable mentorship. The team's 33 returning medalists create a culture of excellence that lifts everyone's performance.

The Milan Cortina Games will make history as the most geographically spread-out Olympics ever. Milan will host hockey, figure skating, and speedskating, while Cortina and several mountain venues will feature skiing, snowboarding, and other alpine events. The Games also introduce ski mountaineering as a new Olympic sport.

Competition begins February 4, with the opening ceremony following on February 6. The 117 men and 115 women on Team USA will carry decades of combined experience and fresh energy onto the world's biggest winter sports stage.

America's five-time Olympians remind us that greatness isn't just about winning young but about showing up, year after year, with the same fire that started it all.