Legendary Skiers Return as NHL Stars Make Olympic Debut

At 41 years old and five years after retirement, Lindsey Vonn is back on the Olympic stage with a story that sounds impossible. The winningest female skier in history returned to competition in 2024 after a partial knee replacement, qualified for the Games, and plans to race despite a recent crash that ruptured her ACL.

She's not alone in her pursuit of Olympic glory. Figure skater Alysa Liu reversed her teenage retirement and brought home a 2025 world championship title, rediscovering her love for the sport. Halfpipe snowboarder Maddy Schaffrick, who retired from burnout at 19, clinched her first Olympic spot at age 31, over a decade after stepping away.

The Milan Cortina Games, which take place over two and a half weeks across northern Italy, mark several firsts beyond these comeback stories. For the first time in over a decade, NHL players will compete in Olympic hockey, bringing the world's best to the ice in a best-on-best tournament format.

Hockey superstars like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Sidney Crosby finally get their chance at Olympic gold. Team USA features the talented Tkachuk brothers and last year's NHL MVP Connor Hellebuyck, aiming for their first gold medal since the legendary "Miracle on Ice" in 1980.

The Games also welcome ski mountaineering as an entirely new Olympic sport. In "skimo," athletes race both up and downhill, alternately wearing and carrying their skis in backpacks while navigating challenging mountain terrain.

Americans Anna Gibson and Cameron Smith earned the U.S. its inaugural Olympic skimo spot with a historic World Cup mixed relay win in December. Their achievement marks a breakthrough for a sport traditionally dominated by Alpine countries like Italy, France, and Switzerland.

Why This Inspires

These athletes prove that setbacks don't have to be endings. Vonn's return after major surgery, Liu's renewed passion after burnout, and Schaffrick's decade-long journey back to competition show that second chances can be just as meaningful as first victories. Their stories remind us that it's never too late to chase a dream, and sometimes the most powerful moments come from simply showing up again.

After COVID-19 restrictions kept crowds away in Beijing 2022, fans will pack the stands across northern Italy to witness history being made. Whether it's a 41-year-old ski legend racing on a reconstructed knee or NHL superstars finally getting their Olympic moment, the Milan Cortina Games promise unforgettable stories of perseverance and triumph.