Speed Skater Mia Manganello Heads to 3rd and Final Olympics

Mia Manganello spends her days flying around ice rinks in spandex, but off the track, she's all about the glam. The long track speedskater admits she's bougie and loves getting her hair and nails done because it makes her feel like herself.

At 36, she's heading to her third Olympics in Milan this February, and she's announced it will be her last. After winning bronze in team pursuit at the 2022 Beijing Games, she's ready for what comes next, even though leaving the sport at the top feels bittersweet.

Manganello specializes in mass start, an event nicknamed "NASCAR on Ice" that debuted at the 2018 PyeongChang Games. Unlike traditional time trial racing, mass start features pack-style head-to-head combat where skaters battle it out together on the ice.

"They finally came out with a pack-style event, the mass start," Manganello explained. "It's my main discipline and hopefully it's where I win a medal."

Why This Inspires

Manganello's approach to her final Olympic run shows what it means to compete with both grit and grace. She's not just chasing another medal but embracing every training session, every race, and every moment with her team.

"When you get a taste of the Olympics, it's so addicting," she said. "Just pushing yourself to that limit and working hard every single day, having support around you, the team atmosphere, the whole thing is intoxicating."

She's learned that if you can't stop thinking about something, you shouldn't stop working for it. That philosophy has carried her through years of early morning practices, countless competitions, and the physical demands of elite speedskating.

Now she's approaching Milan with gratitude instead of pressure. She's focusing on being present, not taking anything for granted, and enjoying the journey rather than fixating only on the destination.

The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics run from February 6 to 22, giving Manganello one last chance to chase gold in the event she loves most while staying true to who she is both on and off the ice.