US Wins First Olympic Medal in Mixed Doubles Curling

Two American curlers just made Olympic history on the ice in Italy, and they're bringing home silver to prove it.

Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse secured the United States' first-ever medal in mixed doubles curling at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo. The duo fell just short of gold in Tuesday's final against Sweden, losing 6-5 in a nail-biter that saw the lead change hands three times.

The Americans faced Swedish siblings Isabella and Rasmus Wranå in a match that came down to the final throws. Despite the narrow loss, Dropkin and Thiesse's silver medal represents a breakthrough moment for American curling.

Thiesse, who hails from Duluth, Minnesota, carved out her own piece of history beyond the team achievement. She became the first woman to win an Olympic curling medal for the United States, breaking a barrier that had stood since curling became a medal sport.

The pair earned their spot in the final by defeating host nation Italy in the semifinals, guaranteeing the historic medal before even stepping onto the ice for gold. Their performance throughout the week showcased the growing strength of American curling on the world stage.

Why This Inspires

After the final, both athletes kept their perspective and grace intact. "We just needed to be a little bit sharper today, but we're not going to let that game take away from the week that we had," Thiesse told NBC broadcasters.

Dropkin, for whom this final marked his only event of the Olympics, was equally gracious in defeat. "This week's been a dream," he said emotionally. "Rasmus and Isabella are great curlers. They deserve this. They played amazing."

Thiesse's Olympic journey isn't over yet. She'll have another shot at the podium when she competes in women's individual curling later in the games, carrying the momentum of her historic achievement into her next event.

The silver medal adds to a memorable Olympics for curling, with Italy claiming bronze by defeating Great Britain 5-3 in the third-place match. The sport continues to captivate audiences with its mix of strategy, precision, and drama.

For American curling fans, this medal represents years of dedication paying off on the world's biggest stage.