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1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 62 (from laksa132)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa062.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical, ml_categories_json AS ml_categories_json, ml_types_json AS ml_types_json, ml_intent_types_json AS ml_intent_types_json, meta_language AS meta_language, attrs_author AS attrs_author, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_publish_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_original_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_original_publish_time, ifNull(attrs_is_republished, 0) AS attrs_is_republished, ifNull(attrs_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_nr_words, ifNull(attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, ifNull(body_ext_links_number, 0) AS body_ext_links_number, ifNull(body_int_links_number, 0) AS body_int_links_number, ifNull(meta_nofollow, 0) AS meta_nofollow, ifNull(meta_noarchive, 0) AS meta_noarchive, ifNull(props_was_rendered, 0) AS props_was_rendered, ifNull(src_redirect, \'\') AS src_redirect, ifNull(download_time_msec, 0) AS download_time_msec, ifNull(download_ttfb_msec, 0) AS download_ttfb_msec, ifNull(download_size, 0) AS download_size FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes","crawl_time":1774563308,"first_indexed_time":1762270238,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,britannica!www,\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes s443","src_root_hash":"5455945239613777662","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"List of Winter Olympic Athletes | Country, USA, Sports, People, Games, & History | Britannica","meta_descriptions":["Athletes competing in the Winter Olympics have wowed audiences with their amazing feats on ice and snow since the first full-fledged edition of the Winter Games, held in 1924 in Chamonix, France. This article lists select past and future Winter Olympic Games competitors and their countries of representation during their pursuit of Olympic glory."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Athletes competing in the\nWinter Olympics\nhave wowed audiences with their amazing feats on ice and snow since the first full-fledged edition of the Winter Games, held in\n1924 in Chamonix, France\n. Below are select past and future Winter Olympic Games competitors and their countries of representation during their pursuit of Olympic glory.\nAlpine skiing\nBenjamin Raich\nAustrian skier Benjamin Raich racing in the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS; International Ski Federation) Alpine skiing World Cup slalom race, Val d'Isère, France, December 2010.\nAlpine skiing\nevolved during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the mountainous\nterrain\nof the\nAlps\nin central\nEurope\n. Modern Alpine competitive skiing is divided into speed events—\ndownhill skiing\nand the supergiant slalom, or super-G—and technical events—the\nslalom\nand giant slalom. It made its Olympic debut at the\n1936 Winter Games\nin\nGarmisch-Partenkirchen\n,\nGermany\n.\nBiathlon\nThe greatest biathlete\nOle Einar Bjørndalen competing in the men's 4 × 7.5-km relay at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia; the Norwegian team was later awarded the bronze medal in the event after the Russian team was disqualified because of doping violations.\nBiathlon\nis a winter sport\ncombining\ncross-country skiing\nand\nrifle marksmanship\n. It developed among the militaries of\nScandinavian\ncountries, and the first recorded biathlon competition took place in 1767 along the\nNorway\n-\nSweden\nborder between military patrol companies. It was included at the first\nWinter Games, held in Chamonix, France\n, in 1924, under the name “military ski patrol” and became an official event known as the biathlon at the\n1960 Games\n, held in what is now\nOlympic Valley\n,\nCalifornia\n.\nBobsledding\nSteven Holcomb\nThe U.S. men's four-person bobsled team, led by Steven Holcomb (in front), celebrating winning a gold medal in the event at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.\nBobsledding\ninvolves sliding down an ice-covered natural or artificial incline on a four-runner sled, called a bobsled, bobsleigh, or bob, that carries from one to four persons. It developed in the 1880s, both in the lumbering towns of upstate\nNew York\nand at the ski resorts of the Swiss\nAlps\n. The sport has been part of the Olympics since the first Winter Games in 1924.\nCross-country skiing\nCross-country skiing\nentails skiing in open country over rolling, hilly terrain. It originated in Scandinavian countries as a means of travel as well as recreation and remains popular there. Athletes use longer, narrower skis and poles than those used in Alpine skiing events. Cross-country skiing has been a Winter Olympics sport since 1924.\nCurling\nCurling\nis a game similar to \nlawn bowls\n but played on ice. Typically, two teams of four players participate in a curling match. Each player slides round stones across the ice toward a fixed mark in the center of a circle. The object of the game is for each side to get its stones closest to the center. Curling is associated especially with \nScotland\n, where it dates to the early 16th century, and is popular in\nCanada\n. It was included in the program of the inaugural Winter Games in Chamonix but did not return as a medal sport until the\n1998 Games in Nagano, Japan\n. Being a\nniche\nteam sport, individual athletes aren’t well known, but a number of athletes have made their mark at the Olympics. Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris of Canada and Anette Norberg, Eva Lund, Cathrine Lindahl, and Anna Le Moine of Sweden have each won two gold medals.\nFigure skating\nPeggy Fleming\nAmerican figure skater Peggy Fleming practicing on an outdoor rink in Grenoble, France, during the 1968 Winter Olympic Games. She won a gold medal at the Games.\nAmong the most popular Winter Olympics\ndisciplines\n,\nfigure skating\nis a sport in which ice skaters, individually or in pairs, perform freestyle movements of jumps, spins, lifts, and footwork in a graceful manner. There are various kinds of figure skating, including freestyle, pairs, ice dance, and synchronized team skating. Figure skating was first included at the Games in\nLondon in 1908\n, and ice dance was added in\n1976\n.\nGo beyond the basics with trusted, in-depth knowledge for professionals, students, and lifelong learners.\nSUBSCRIBE\ndocument.querySelectorAll('.marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION').forEach(el => {\n    el.style.containerType = 'inline-size';\n  });\nFreestyle skiing\nAiko Uemura\nJapanese skier Aiko Uemura competing in the freestyle skiing women's moguls World Cup event in Åre, Sweden, March 7, 2008.\nFreestyle skiing\nis a winter sport that\ncombines\nskiing and acrobatics. Mogul skiing debuted at the\n1992 Games in Albertville, France\n, and aerials events were added to the\n1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway\n. Ski halfpipe and slopestyle (wherein skiers race down a course laden with jumps and rails, off of which they do tricks that are judged for points) were added to the schedule for the\n2014 Sochi Winter Games\n. Notable freestyle skiers in Olympic history include Mikaël Kingsbury, a Canadian mogul specialist with one gold and two silver medals, and\nEileen Gu\n, an American-born athlete who competed for China in\nBeijing in 2022\nand became the first freestyle skier to win three medals at a single Games.\nIce hockey\nJames Craig in action\n1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team goalie James Craig making a save during the “Miracle on Ice” game.\nIce hockey\nis a game between two teams, usually of six players each, who wear skates and compete on an ice rink. The object is to\npropel\na puck past a goal line and into a net guarded by a goaltender. With its speed and frequent physical contact, ice hockey has become one of the most popular international\nsports\n. Men’s ice hockey made its Olympic debut in\n1920 in Antwerp, Belgium\n, whereas women first competed in the sport in 1998 at Nagano, Japan. In the past, participating teams consisted mostly, if not completely, of amateur players. In 1995 an agreement between governing bodies and player associations allowed professional athletes to compete at the Olympics, and\nNational Hockey League\n(NHL) players participated in the Olympics from 1998 through 2014. NHL players will return to the Olympics at the\n2026 Milano Cortina Games\n.\nLuge\nLuge\nGermany's Natalie Geisenberger celebrating at a world championships race in Koenigssee, Germany, 2016.\nLuge\nis a form of small-sled racing in which an athlete rides a luge (the French word for “sled”) while lying on their back and steering by subtle leg and shoulder movements. Dating to the 15th century, luge is a traditional winter sport in \nAustria\n and \nGermany\n. Luge was included in the Olympic Winter Games for the first time in 1964.\nNordic combined\nNordic combined\nis an event that combines the two\nNordic skiing\nevents of cross-country skiing and\nski jumping\n. It was included in the first Winter Olympic program in 1924.\nShort-track speed skating\nViktor Ahn\nSpeed skater Viktor Ahn competing in the short-track men's 500-meter event at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.\nShort-track speed skating\ntests the speed, technical skating ability, and aggressiveness of its competitors. Unlike traditional long-track\nspeed skating\n, contestants race against each other instead of the clock, and they compete on a track that is 111 meters (364 feet) per lap. It made its Olympic debut at the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France.\nSkeleton sledding\nSkeleton sledding\nAn athlete competing in skeleton sledding at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.\nSkeleton sledding\nclosely resembles lugeing except that athletes ride on their stomach in a headfirst position. It developed as a sport in the 1880s on the famed Cresta Run in\nSt. Mortiz\n,\nSwitzerland\n. Skeleton sledding was included twice in the Olympic Winter Games, in\n1928\nand\n1948\n, each time at St. Moritz, but it later fell into obscurity. After a revival in the late 20th century, skeleton sledding returned to the Winter Olympics in\n2002\n.\nSki jumping\nSimon Ammann\nSki jumper Simon Ammann of Switzerland competing in a 2009 Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) World Cup event.\nSki jumping\nis a competitive skiing event in which contestants ski down a steep ramp that curves upward at the end, or takeoff point. Skiers leap from the end, trying to cover as much horizontal distance in the air as possible. Ski jumping has been included in the Winter Olympics since the 1924 Games in Chamonix, France.\nSki mountaineering\nSki mountaineering\nis a newer sport that involves racing up a mountain, using both skis and boots, followed by a\ndescent\non skis. It will make its Olympic debut at the 2026 Games. Ski mountaineering athletes expected to compete for medals include Oriol Cardona Coll of Spain and Axelle Gachet-Mollaret of France.\nSnowboarding\nChloe Kim\nAmerican snowboarder Chloe Kim competing in the women's half-pipe finals at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.\nSnowboarding\nis a winter sport with roots in\nskiing\n,\nsurfing\n, and\nskateboarding\n, in which the primary activity is riding down a snow-covered surface while standing on a snowboard with feet positioned roughly perpendicular to the board and its direction. The sport developed in the 1960s and ’70s, grew in popularity in the 1980s, and became an Olympic sport in 1998.\nSpeed skating\nShani Davis\nAmerican speed skater Shani Davis competing at the Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games, February 13, 2018.\nSpeed skating\nis the sport of racing on ice skates around a 400-meter- (1,312-foot-) long track in an ice rink. The competitors typically race two at a time on a two-lane track and race against the clock. It originated in the\nNetherlands\n, possibly as early as the 13th century. Organized international competition developed in the late 19th century, and the sport was first included at the Winter Olympics in 1924.","attrs_markdown":"[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel\/eb-logo\/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/)\n\n[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel\/eb-logo\/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/)\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen)\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav-mobile&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen)\n\nLogin\n\nhttps:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm\\_source=premium\\&utm\\_medium=nav-login-box\\&utm\\_campaign=evergreen\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=blue)\n\n- 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[Introduction](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes)\n- [Alpine skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454519)\n- [Biathlon](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454520)\n- [Bobsledding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454521)\n- [Cross-country skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454522)\n- [Curling](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454523)\n- [Figure skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454524)\n- [Freestyle skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454525)\n- [Ice hockey](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454526)\n- [Luge](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454527)\n- [Nordic combined](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454528)\n- [Short-track speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454529)\n- [Skeleton sledding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454530)\n- [Ski jumping](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454531)\n- [Ski mountaineering](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454532)\n- [Snowboarding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454533)\n- [Speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454534)\n\n[References & Edit History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes\/additional-info)\n\n[Images](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes\/images-videos)\n\n[![Canadian speed skater Clara Hughes](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/51\/258751-004-9667540C\/Clara-Hughes-of-Canada-skates-the-womens-3000m-speed-skating-competition-of-the-XIXth-Olympic-Games-February-10-2002-Salt-lake-city.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/51\/258751-050-D292B586\/Clara-Hughes-of-Canada-skates-the-womens-3000m-speed-skating-competition-of-the-XIXth-Olympic-Games-February-10-2002-Salt-lake-city.jpg)   [![Benjamin Raich](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/24\/169924-004-4C8A166E\/Benjamin-Raich-2010.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/24\/169924-050-1546D110\/Benjamin-Raich-2010.jpg)   [![The greatest biathlete](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/79\/256879-004-ADEDEED1\/Ole-Einar-Bjoerndalen-of-Norway-competes-during-the-Mens-4-x-75-km-Relay-during-day-15-of-the-Sochi-2014-Winter-Olympics.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/79\/256879-050-82E501A6\/Ole-Einar-Bjoerndalen-of-Norway-competes-during-the-Mens-4-x-75-km-Relay-during-day-15-of-the-Sochi-2014-Winter-Olympics.jpg)   [![Steven Holcomb](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/31\/164631-004-5AF42AF2\/Steven-Holcomb-2010.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/31\/164631-004-5AF42AF2\/Steven-Holcomb-2010.jpg)   [![Marja-Liisa Hämäläinen at the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympic Games](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/02\/249402-004-7FB5CF4F\/Marja-Liisa-Hamalainen-Kirvesniemi-Finland-Cross-Country-Skiing-1984-Winter-Olympics-Yugoslavia.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/02\/249402-050-51489E77\/Marja-Liisa-Hamalainen-Kirvesniemi-Finland-Cross-Country-Skiing-1984-Winter-Olympics-Yugoslavia.jpg)   [![Women's curling at the 2018 Winter Olympics](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/07\/226107-004-8430E4CA\/Womens-gold-medal-game-between-South-Korea-and-Sweden-2018-Winter-Olympics-Gangneung-South-Korea-February-25-2018.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/07\/226107-050-34DE0624\/Womens-gold-medal-game-between-South-Korea-and-Sweden-2018-Winter-Olympics-Gangneung-South-Korea-February-25-2018.jpg)   [![Peggy Fleming](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/24\/257424-004-304ACE1B\/American-figure-skater-Peggy-Fleming-practices-outside-rink-February-1968-in-Grenoble-France-French-Alps.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/24\/257424-050-CAEB8BCA\/American-figure-skater-Peggy-Fleming-practices-outside-rink-February-1968-in-Grenoble-France-French-Alps.jpg)   [![Aiko Uemura](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/73\/116573-004-2890F294\/Aiko-Uemura-event-Freestyle-Skiing-Womens-Moguls-March-7-2008.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/73\/116573-050-F05269D3\/Aiko-Uemura-event-Freestyle-Skiing-Womens-Moguls-March-7-2008.jpg)   [![James Craig in action](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/28\/21428-004-D7375BBD\/James-Craig-American-1980.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/28\/21428-050-A84926C0\/James-Craig-American-1980.jpg)   [![Luge](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/90\/193590-004-759F360A\/Natalie-Geisenberger-joy-women-Germany-luge-world-January-20-2016.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/90\/193590-050-44DE8B6A\/Natalie-Geisenberger-joy-women-Germany-luge-world-January-20-2016.jpg)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-178\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2)\n\nContents\n\n[Sports & Recreation](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Sports-Recreation)    [Olympic Sports](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Olympic-Sports)\n\n*print* Print\n\nPlease select which sections you would like to print:\n\nCITE\n\n*verified*Cite\n\nWhile every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.\n\nSelect Citation Style\n\nCopy Citation\n\nShare\n\nShare\n\nShare to social media\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BRITANNICA\/) [X](https:\/\/x.com\/britannica)\n\nURL\n\n<https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes>\n\nFeedback\n\nFeedback\n\nThank you for your feedback\n\nOur editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.\n\nExternal Websites\n\n[![Canadian speed skater Clara Hughes](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/51\/258751-050-D292B586\/Clara-Hughes-of-Canada-skates-the-womens-3000m-speed-skating-competition-of-the-XIXth-Olympic-Games-February-10-2002-Salt-lake-city.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/51\/258751-050-D292B586\/Clara-Hughes-of-Canada-skates-the-womens-3000m-speed-skating-competition-of-the-XIXth-Olympic-Games-February-10-2002-Salt-lake-city.jpg)\n\n[Canadian speed skater Clara Hughes](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/51\/258751-050-D292B586\/Clara-Hughes-of-Canada-skates-the-womens-3000m-speed-skating-competition-of-the-XIXth-Olympic-Games-February-10-2002-Salt-lake-city.jpg) Clara Hughes competing in the women's 3,000-meter speed skating event at the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.\n\n(more)\n\n# List of Winter Olympic Athletes\nAsk Anything\n\nHomework Help\n\nWritten by\n\n[Will Gosner Will Gosner is an associate editor covering general interest topics, including film, television, and sports. He has a B.A. from the University of Chicago. He joined Britannica in 2014.](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/will-gosner\/9852049)\n\nWill Gosner\n\nFact-checked by\n\n[Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica\/4419)\n\nBritannica Editors\n\nLast updated\n\nFeb. 18, 2026\n\n•[History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes\/additional-info#history)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-178\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2) Britannica AI\n\nAsk Anything\n\nTable of Contents\n\nTable of Contents\n\nAsk Anything\n\nAthletes competing in the [Winter Olympics](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Winter-Olympic-Games) have wowed audiences with their amazing feats on ice and snow since the first full-fledged edition of the Winter Games, held in [1924 in Chamonix, France](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Chamonix-1924-Olympic-Winter-Games). Below are select past and future Winter Olympic Games competitors and their countries of representation during their pursuit of Olympic glory.\n\n## [Alpine skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Alpine-skiing)\n[![Benjamin Raich](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/24\/169924-050-1546D110\/Benjamin-Raich-2010.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/24\/169924-050-1546D110\/Benjamin-Raich-2010.jpg)\n\n[Benjamin Raich](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/24\/169924-050-1546D110\/Benjamin-Raich-2010.jpg)Austrian skier Benjamin Raich racing in the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS; International Ski Federation) Alpine skiing World Cup slalom race, Val d'Isère, France, December 2010.\n\n(more)\n\n[Alpine skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Alpine-skiing) evolved during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the mountainous [terrain](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/terrain) of the [Alps](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Alps) in central [Europe](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Europe). Modern Alpine competitive skiing is divided into speed events—[downhill skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/downhill-skiing) and the supergiant slalom, or super-G—and technical events—the [slalom](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/slalom-skiing-race) and giant slalom. It made its Olympic debut at the [1936 Winter Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Garmisch-Partenkirchen-1936-Olympic-Winter-Games) in [Garmisch-Partenkirchen](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Garmisch-Partenkirchen), [Germany](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Germany).\n\n- [Marcel Hirscher](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Marcel-Hirscher) (Austria)\n- [Marc Girardelli](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Marc-Girardelli) (Luxembourg)\n- [Christine Goitschel](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Christine-Goitschel) (France)\n- [Marielle Goitschel](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Marielle-Goitschel) (France)\n- [Nancy Greene](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Nancy-Greene-Raine) (Canada)\n- [Carlo Janka](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Carlo-Janka) (Switzerland)\n- [Jean-Claude Killy](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jean-Claude-Killy) (France)\n- [Lasse Kjus](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Lasse-Kjus) (Norway)\n- [Franz Klammer](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Franz-Klammer) (Austria)\n- [Janica Kostelić](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Janica-Kostelic) (Croatia)\n- [Ted Ligety](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Ted-Ligety) (U.S.)\n- [Hermann Maier](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Hermann-Maier) (Austria)\n- [Phil Mahre](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Phil-Mahre) (U.S.)\n- [Tina Maze](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Tina-Maze) (Slovenia)\n- [Andrea Mead Lawrence](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Andrea-Mead-Lawrence) (U.S.)\n- [Bode Miller](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Bode-Miller) (U.S.)\n- [Rosi Mittermaier](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Rosi-Mittermaier) (West Germany)\n- [Annemarie Moser-Prӧll](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Annemarie-Moser-Proll) (Austria)\n- [Marie-Thérèse Nadig](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Marie-Therese-Nadig) (Switzerland)\n- [Henri Oreiller](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Henri-Oreiller) (France)\n- [Anja Pärson](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Anja-Parson) (Sweden)\n- [Benjamin Raich](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Benjamin-Raich) (Austria)\n- [Anton Sailer](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Anton-Sailer) (Austria)\n- [Vreni Schneider](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Vreni-Schneider) (Switzerland)\n- [Mikaela Shiffrin](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Mikaela-Shiffrin) (U.S.)\n- [Ingemar Stenmark](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Ingemar-Stenmark) (Sweden)\n- [Picabo Street](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Picabo-Street) (U.S.)\n- [Aksel Lund Svindal](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Aksel-Lund-Svindal) (Norway)\n- [Alberto Tomba](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Alberto-Tomba) (Italy)\n- [Lindsey Vonn](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Lindsey-Vonn) (U.S.)\n- [Hanni Wenzel](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Hanni-Wenzel) (Liechtenstein)\n\n## [Biathlon](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/biathlon)\n[![The greatest biathlete](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/79\/256879-050-82E501A6\/Ole-Einar-Bjoerndalen-of-Norway-competes-during-the-Mens-4-x-75-km-Relay-during-day-15-of-the-Sochi-2014-Winter-Olympics.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/79\/256879-050-82E501A6\/Ole-Einar-Bjoerndalen-of-Norway-competes-during-the-Mens-4-x-75-km-Relay-during-day-15-of-the-Sochi-2014-Winter-Olympics.jpg)\n\n[The greatest biathlete](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/79\/256879-050-82E501A6\/Ole-Einar-Bjoerndalen-of-Norway-competes-during-the-Mens-4-x-75-km-Relay-during-day-15-of-the-Sochi-2014-Winter-Olympics.jpg)Ole Einar Bjørndalen competing in the men's 4 × 7.5-km relay at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia; the Norwegian team was later awarded the bronze medal in the event after the Russian team was disqualified because of doping violations.\n\n(more)\n\n[Biathlon](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/biathlon) is a winter sport [combining](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/combining) [cross-country skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/cross-country-skiing) and [rifle marksmanship](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/shooting). It developed among the militaries of [Scandinavian](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Scandinavia) countries, and the first recorded biathlon competition took place in 1767 along the [Norway](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Norway)\\-[Sweden](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Sweden) border between military patrol companies. It was included at the first [Winter Games, held in Chamonix, France](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Chamonix-1924-Olympic-Winter-Games), in 1924, under the name “military ski patrol” and became an official event known as the biathlon at the [1960 Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/1960-Olympic-Winter-Games), held in what is now [Olympic Valley](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Olympic-Valley), [California](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/California-state).\n\n- [Myriam Bédard](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Myriam-Bedard) (Canada)\n- [Ole Einar Bjørndalen](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Ole-Einar-Bjorndalen) (Norway)\n\n## [Bobsledding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/bobsledding)\n[![Steven Holcomb](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/31\/164631-004-5AF42AF2\/Steven-Holcomb-2010.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/31\/164631-004-5AF42AF2\/Steven-Holcomb-2010.jpg)\n\n[Steven Holcomb](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/31\/164631-004-5AF42AF2\/Steven-Holcomb-2010.jpg)The U.S. men's four-person bobsled team, led by Steven Holcomb (in front), celebrating winning a gold medal in the event at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.\n\n(more)\n\n[Bobsledding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/bobsledding) involves sliding down an ice-covered natural or artificial incline on a four-runner sled, called a bobsled, bobsleigh, or bob, that carries from one to four persons. It developed in the 1880s, both in the lumbering towns of upstate [New York](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/New-York-state) and at the ski resorts of the Swiss [Alps](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Alps). The sport has been part of the Olympics since the first Winter Games in 1924.\n\n- [Eddie Eagan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Eddie-Eagan) (U.S.)\n- [Steven Holcomb](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Steven-Holcomb) (U.S.)\n- [Kaillie Humphries](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Kaillie-Humphries) (Canada and U.S.)\n- [Eugenio Monti](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Eugenio-Monti) (Italy)\n- [André Lange](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Andre-Lange) (Germany)\n\n## [Cross-country skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/cross-country-skiing)\n[![Marja-Liisa Hämäläinen at the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympic Games](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/02\/249402-050-51489E77\/Marja-Liisa-Hamalainen-Kirvesniemi-Finland-Cross-Country-Skiing-1984-Winter-Olympics-Yugoslavia.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/02\/249402-050-51489E77\/Marja-Liisa-Hamalainen-Kirvesniemi-Finland-Cross-Country-Skiing-1984-Winter-Olympics-Yugoslavia.jpg)\n\n[Marja-Liisa Hämäläinen at the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympic Games](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/02\/249402-050-51489E77\/Marja-Liisa-Hamalainen-Kirvesniemi-Finland-Cross-Country-Skiing-1984-Winter-Olympics-Yugoslavia.jpg)Finnish cross-country skier Marja-Liisa Hämäläinen won three gold medals at the 1984 Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia (now in Bosnia and Herzegovina).\n\n(more)\n\n[Cross-country skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/cross-country-skiing) entails skiing in open country over rolling, hilly terrain. It originated in Scandinavian countries as a means of travel as well as recreation and remains popular there. Athletes use longer, narrower skis and poles than those used in Alpine skiing events. Cross-country skiing has been a Winter Olympics sport since 1924.\n\n- [Marit Bjørgen](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Marit-Bjorgen) (Norway)\n- [Bjørn Dæhlie](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Bjorn-Daehlie) (Norway)\n- [Manuela Di Centa](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Manuela-Di-Centa) (Italy)\n- [Toini Gustafsson](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Toini-Gustafsson) (Sweden)\n- [Veikko Hakulinen](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Veikko-Hakulinen) (Finland)\n- [Marja-Liisa Hämäläinen](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Marja-Liisa-Hamalainen) (Finland)\n- [Thorleif Haug](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Thorleif-Haug) (Norway)\n- [Sixten Jernberg](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Sixten-Jernberg) (Sweden)\n- [Galina Kulakova](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Galina-Kulakova) (U.S.S.R.)\n- [Eero Mäntyranta](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Eero-Mantyranta) (Finland)\n- [Bente Skari](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Bente-Skari) (Norway)\n- [Raisa Smetanina](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Raisa-Smetanina) (U.S.S.R.)\n- [Vegard Ulvang](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Vegard-Ulvang) (Norway)\n- [Yelena Vyalbe](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Yelena-Vyalbe) (Russia)\n- [Nikolay Zimyatov](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Nikolay-Zimyatov) (U.S.S.R.)\n\n## [Curling](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/curling)\n[![Women's curling at the 2018 Winter Olympics](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/07\/226107-050-34DE0624\/Womens-gold-medal-game-between-South-Korea-and-Sweden-2018-Winter-Olympics-Gangneung-South-Korea-February-25-2018.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/07\/226107-050-34DE0624\/Womens-gold-medal-game-between-South-Korea-and-Sweden-2018-Winter-Olympics-Gangneung-South-Korea-February-25-2018.jpg)\n\n[Women's curling at the 2018 Winter Olympics](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/07\/226107-050-34DE0624\/Womens-gold-medal-game-between-South-Korea-and-Sweden-2018-Winter-Olympics-Gangneung-South-Korea-February-25-2018.jpg)South Korea's curling team during the gold-medal game of the women's tournament at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.\n\n(more)\n\n[Curling](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/curling) is a game similar to [lawn bowls](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/bowls) but played on ice. Typically, two teams of four players participate in a curling match. Each player slides round stones across the ice toward a fixed mark in the center of a circle. The object of the game is for each side to get its stones closest to the center. Curling is associated especially with [Scotland](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Scotland), where it dates to the early 16th century, and is popular in [Canada](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Canada). It was included in the program of the inaugural Winter Games in Chamonix but did not return as a medal sport until the [1998 Games in Nagano, Japan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Nagano-1998-Olympic-Winter-Games). Being a [niche](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/niche) team sport, individual athletes aren’t well known, but a number of athletes have made their mark at the Olympics. Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris of Canada and Anette Norberg, Eva Lund, Cathrine Lindahl, and Anna Le Moine of Sweden have each won two gold medals.\n\n## [Figure skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/figure-skating)\n[![Peggy Fleming](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/24\/257424-050-CAEB8BCA\/American-figure-skater-Peggy-Fleming-practices-outside-rink-February-1968-in-Grenoble-France-French-Alps.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/24\/257424-050-CAEB8BCA\/American-figure-skater-Peggy-Fleming-practices-outside-rink-February-1968-in-Grenoble-France-French-Alps.jpg)\n\n[Peggy Fleming](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/24\/257424-050-CAEB8BCA\/American-figure-skater-Peggy-Fleming-practices-outside-rink-February-1968-in-Grenoble-France-French-Alps.jpg)American figure skater Peggy Fleming practicing on an outdoor rink in Grenoble, France, during the 1968 Winter Olympic Games. She won a gold medal at the Games.\n\n(more)\n\nAmong the most popular Winter Olympics [disciplines](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/disciplines), [figure skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/figure-skating) is a sport in which ice skaters, individually or in pairs, perform freestyle movements of jumps, spins, lifts, and footwork in a graceful manner. There are various kinds of figure skating, including freestyle, pairs, ice dance, and synchronized team skating. Figure skating was first included at the Games in [London in 1908](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/London-1908-Olympic-Games), and ice dance was added in [1976](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Innsbruck-1976-Olympic-Winter-Games).\n\nExplore Britannica Premium\\!\n\nGo beyond the basics with trusted, in-depth knowledge for professionals, students, and lifelong learners.\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=basics-2026)\n\n![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-left.webp)\n\n![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-right.webp)\n\n![Mobile](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-mobile.webp?w=400)\n\ndocument.querySelectorAll('.marketing-INLINE\\_SUBSCRIPTION').forEach(el =\\> { el.style.containerType = 'inline-size'; });\n\n- [Tenley Albright](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Tenley-Albright) (U.S.)\n- [Oksana Baiul](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Oksana-Baiul) (Ukraine)\n- [Lyudmila Belousova and Oleg Protopopov](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/the-Protopopovs) (U.S.S.R.)\n- [Brian Boitano](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Brian-Boitano) (U.S.)\n- [Dick Button](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Dick-Button) (U.S.)\n- [Andrée Brunet and Pierre Brunet](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Andree-Brunet-and-Pierre-Brunet) (France)\n- [Patrick Chan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Patrick-Chan) (Canada)\n- [Robin Cousins](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Robin-Cousins) (Great Britain)\n- [John Curry](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/John-Curry) (Great Britain)\n- [Peggy Fleming](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Peggy-Fleming) (U.S.)\n- [Carlo Fassi](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Carlo-Fassi) (Italy)\n- [Amber Glenn](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Amber-Glenn) (U.S.)\n- [Yekaterina Gordeeva and Sergey Grinkov](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Yekaterina-Gordeeva-and-Sergey-Grinkov) (U.S.S.R.)\n- [Gillis Grafström](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Gillis-Grafstrom) (Sweden)\n- [Dorothy Hamill](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Dorothy-Hamill) (U.S.)\n- [Scott Hamilton](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Scott-Hamilton) (U.S.)\n- [Hanyu Yuzuru](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Hanyu-Yuzuru) (Japan)\n- [Carol Heiss](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Carol-Heiss) (U.S.)\n- [Sonja Henie](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Sonja-Henie) (Norway)\n- [Hayes Alan Jenkins](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Hayes-Alan-Jenkins) (U.S.)\n- [David Jenkins](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/David-Jenkins) (U.S.)\n- [Kim Yu-Na](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Kim-Yu-Na) (South Korea)\n- [Michelle Kwan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Michelle-Kwan) (U.S.)\n- [Tara Lipinski](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Tara-Lipinski) (U.S.)\n- [Evan Lysacek](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Evan-Lysacek) (U.S.)\n- [Ilia Malinin](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Ilia-Malinin) (U.S.)\n- [Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Tessa-Virtue-and-Scott-Moir) (Canada)\n- [David Pelletier](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/David-Pelletier) (Canada)\n- [Yevgeny Plushchenko](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Yevgeny-Plushchenko) (Russia)\n- [Irina Rodnina](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Irina-Rodnina) (U.S.S.R.)\n- [Ulrich Salchow](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Ulrich-Salchow) (Sweden)\n- [Jamie Salé](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jamie-Sale) (Canada)\n- [Karl Schäfer](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Karl-Schafer) (Austria)\n- [Barbara Ann Scott](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Barbara-Ann-Scott) (Canada)\n- [Irina Slutskaya](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Irina-Slutskaya) (Russia)\n- [Elvis Stojko](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Elvis-Stojko) (Canada)\n- [Madge Cave Syers](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Madge-Cave-Syers) (Great Britain)\n- [Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Torvill-and-Dean) (Great Britain)\n- [Katarina Witt](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Katarina-Witt) (East Germany)\n- [Kristi Yamaguchi](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Kristi-Yamaguchi) (U.S.)\n\n## [Freestyle skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/freestyle-skiing)\n[![Aiko Uemura](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/73\/116573-050-F05269D3\/Aiko-Uemura-event-Freestyle-Skiing-Womens-Moguls-March-7-2008.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/73\/116573-050-F05269D3\/Aiko-Uemura-event-Freestyle-Skiing-Womens-Moguls-March-7-2008.jpg)\n\n[Aiko Uemura](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/73\/116573-050-F05269D3\/Aiko-Uemura-event-Freestyle-Skiing-Womens-Moguls-March-7-2008.jpg)Japanese skier Aiko Uemura competing in the freestyle skiing women's moguls World Cup event in Åre, Sweden, March 7, 2008.\n\n(more)\n\n[Freestyle skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/freestyle-skiing) is a winter sport that [combines](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/combines) skiing and acrobatics. Mogul skiing debuted at the [1992 Games in Albertville, France](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Albertville-1992-Olympic-Winter-Games), and aerials events were added to the [1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Lillehammer-1994-Olympic-Winter-Games). Ski halfpipe and slopestyle (wherein skiers race down a course laden with jumps and rails, off of which they do tricks that are judged for points) were added to the schedule for the [2014 Sochi Winter Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Sochi-2014-Olympic-Winter-Games). Notable freestyle skiers in Olympic history include Mikaël Kingsbury, a Canadian mogul specialist with one gold and two silver medals, and [Eileen Gu](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Eileen-Gu), an American-born athlete who competed for China in [Beijing in 2022](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games) and became the first freestyle skier to win three medals at a single Games.\n\n## [Ice hockey](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ice-hockey)\n[![James Craig in action](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/28\/21428-050-A84926C0\/James-Craig-American-1980.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/28\/21428-050-A84926C0\/James-Craig-American-1980.jpg)\n\n[James Craig in action](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/28\/21428-050-A84926C0\/James-Craig-American-1980.jpg)1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team goalie James Craig making a save during the “Miracle on Ice” game.\n\n(more)\n\n[Ice hockey](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ice-hockey) is a game between two teams, usually of six players each, who wear skates and compete on an ice rink. The object is to [propel](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/propel) a puck past a goal line and into a net guarded by a goaltender. With its speed and frequent physical contact, ice hockey has become one of the most popular international [sports](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/sports). Men’s ice hockey made its Olympic debut in [1920 in Antwerp, Belgium](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Antwerp-1920-Olympic-Games), whereas women first competed in the sport in 1998 at Nagano, Japan. In the past, participating teams consisted mostly, if not completely, of amateur players. In 1995 an agreement between governing bodies and player associations allowed professional athletes to compete at the Olympics, and [National Hockey League](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/National-Hockey-League) (NHL) players participated in the Olympics from 1998 through 2014. NHL players will return to the Olympics at the [2026 Milano Cortina Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Milano-Cortina-2026-Olympic-Winter-Games).\n\n- [Martin Brodeur](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Martin-Brodeur) (Canada)\n- [Jim Craig](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jim-Craig) (U.S.)\n- [Sidney Crosby](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Sidney-Crosby) (Canada)\n- [Slava Fetisov](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Slava-Fetisov) (U.S.S.R.)\n- [Dominik Hašek](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Dominik-Hasek) (Czech Republic)\n- [Jaromír Jágr](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jaromir-Jagr) (Czech Republic)\n- [Mario Lemieux](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Mario-Lemieux) (Canada)\n- [Nicklas Lidström](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Nicklas-Lidstrom) (Sweden)\n- [Sarah Nurse](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Sarah-Nurse) (Canada)\n- [Aleksandr Ovechkin](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Alex-Ovechkin) (Russia)\n- [Manon Rhéaume](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Manon-Rheaume) (Canada)\n- [Jonathan Toews](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jonathan-Toews) (Canada)\n- [Vladislav Tretiak](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Vladislav-Tretiak) (U.S.S.R.)\n- [Hayley Wickenheiser](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Hayley-Wickenheiser) (Canada)\n- [Steve Yzerman](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Steve-Yzerman) (Canada)\n\n## [Luge](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/lugeing)\n[![Luge](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/90\/193590-050-44DE8B6A\/Natalie-Geisenberger-joy-women-Germany-luge-world-January-20-2016.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/90\/193590-050-44DE8B6A\/Natalie-Geisenberger-joy-women-Germany-luge-world-January-20-2016.jpg)\n\n[Luge](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/90\/193590-050-44DE8B6A\/Natalie-Geisenberger-joy-women-Germany-luge-world-January-20-2016.jpg)Germany's Natalie Geisenberger celebrating at a world championships race in Koenigssee, Germany, 2016.\n\n(more)\n\n[Luge](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/lugeing) is a form of small-sled racing in which an athlete rides a luge (the French word for “sled”) while lying on their back and steering by subtle leg and shoulder movements. Dating to the 15th century, luge is a traditional winter sport in [Austria](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Austria) and [Germany](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Germany). Luge was included in the Olympic Winter Games for the first time in 1964.\n\n- [Georg Hackl](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Georg-Hackl) (Germany)\n- [Tatjana Hüfner](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Tatjana-Hufner) (Germany)\n- [Thomas Köhler](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Thomas-Kohler) (Germany and East Germany)\n- [Linger brothers](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Linger-brothers) (Austria)\n- [Sylke Otto](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Sylke-Otto) (Germany)\n- [Armin Zöggeler](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Armin-Zoggeler) (Italy)\n\n## [Nordic combined](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Nordic-combined)\n[Nordic combined](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Nordic-combined) is an event that combines the two [Nordic skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Nordic-skiing) events of cross-country skiing and [ski jumping](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ski-jumping). It was included in the first Winter Olympic program in 1924.\n\n- [Ulrich Wehling](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Ulrich-Wehling) (East Germany)\n\n## [Short-track speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/short-track-speed-skating)\n[![Viktor Ahn](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/53\/222853-050-DF0AE05E\/Viktor-Ahn-short-track-500m-final-Sochi-Winter-Olympics-February-21-2014.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/53\/222853-050-DF0AE05E\/Viktor-Ahn-short-track-500m-final-Sochi-Winter-Olympics-February-21-2014.jpg)\n\n[Viktor Ahn](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/53\/222853-050-DF0AE05E\/Viktor-Ahn-short-track-500m-final-Sochi-Winter-Olympics-February-21-2014.jpg)Speed skater Viktor Ahn competing in the short-track men's 500-meter event at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.\n\n(more)\n\n[Short-track speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/short-track-speed-skating) tests the speed, technical skating ability, and aggressiveness of its competitors. Unlike traditional long-track [speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/speed-skating), contestants race against each other instead of the clock, and they compete on a track that is 111 meters (364 feet) per lap. It made its Olympic debut at the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France.\n\n- [Viktor Ahn](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Viktor-Ahn) (South Korea and Russia)\n- [Apolo Anton Ohno](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Apolo-Anton-Ohno) (U.S.)\n- [Cathy Turner](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Cathy-Turner) (U.S.)\n- [Yang Yang](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Yang-Yang) (China)\n\n## [Skeleton sledding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/skeleton-sledding)\n[![Skeleton sledding](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/83\/196783-050-69D52A75\/Skeleton-sledding-2016-Winter-Youth-Olympics-Norway-2016.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/83\/196783-050-69D52A75\/Skeleton-sledding-2016-Winter-Youth-Olympics-Norway-2016.jpg)\n\n[Skeleton sledding](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/83\/196783-050-69D52A75\/Skeleton-sledding-2016-Winter-Youth-Olympics-Norway-2016.jpg)An athlete competing in skeleton sledding at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.\n\n(more)\n\n[Skeleton sledding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/skeleton-sledding) closely resembles lugeing except that athletes ride on their stomach in a headfirst position. It developed as a sport in the 1880s on the famed Cresta Run in [St. Mortiz](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Saint-Moritz), [Switzerland](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Switzerland). Skeleton sledding was included twice in the Olympic Winter Games, in [1928](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/St-Moritz-1928-Olympic-Winter-Games) and [1948](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/St-Moritz-1948-Olympic-Winter-Games), each time at St. Moritz, but it later fell into obscurity. After a revival in the late 20th century, skeleton sledding returned to the Winter Olympics in [2002](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Salt-Lake-City-2002-Olympic-Winter-Games).\n\n- [Jim Shea, Jr.](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jim-Shea-Jr) (U.S.)\n- [Martins Dukurs](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Martins-Dukurs) (Latvia)\n\n## [Ski jumping](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ski-jumping)\n[![Simon Ammann](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/40\/139940-050-19E6CF1F\/Simon-Ammann-Switzerland-event-Federation-Internationale-de-2009.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/40\/139940-050-19E6CF1F\/Simon-Ammann-Switzerland-event-Federation-Internationale-de-2009.jpg)\n\n[Simon Ammann](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/40\/139940-050-19E6CF1F\/Simon-Ammann-Switzerland-event-Federation-Internationale-de-2009.jpg)Ski jumper Simon Ammann of Switzerland competing in a 2009 Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) World Cup event.\n\n(more)\n\n[Ski jumping](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ski-jumping) is a competitive skiing event in which contestants ski down a steep ramp that curves upward at the end, or takeoff point. Skiers leap from the end, trying to cover as much horizontal distance in the air as possible. Ski jumping has been included in the Winter Olympics since the 1924 Games in Chamonix, France.\n\n- [Simon Ammann](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Simon-Ammann) (Switzerland)\n- [Matti Nykänen](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Matti-Nykanen) (Finland)\n- [Birger Ruud](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Birger-Ruud) (Norway)\n\n## [Ski mountaineering](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ski-mountaineering)\n[Ski mountaineering](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ski-mountaineering) is a newer sport that involves racing up a mountain, using both skis and boots, followed by a [descent](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/descent) on skis. It will make its Olympic debut at the 2026 Games. Ski mountaineering athletes expected to compete for medals include Oriol Cardona Coll of Spain and Axelle Gachet-Mollaret of France.\n\n## [Snowboarding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/snowboarding)\n[![Chloe Kim](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/25\/198725-050-EE5FAEE7\/Chloe-Kim-American-jump-halfpipe-finals-women-2018.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/25\/198725-050-EE5FAEE7\/Chloe-Kim-American-jump-halfpipe-finals-women-2018.jpg)\n\n[Chloe Kim](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/25\/198725-050-EE5FAEE7\/Chloe-Kim-American-jump-halfpipe-finals-women-2018.jpg)American snowboarder Chloe Kim competing in the women's half-pipe finals at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.\n\n(more)\n\n[Snowboarding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/snowboarding) is a winter sport with roots in [skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/skiing), [surfing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/surfing), and [skateboarding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/skateboarding), in which the primary activity is riding down a snow-covered surface while standing on a snowboard with feet positioned roughly perpendicular to the board and its direction. The sport developed in the 1960s and ’70s, grew in popularity in the 1980s, and became an Olympic sport in 1998.\n\n- [Chloe Kim](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Chloe-Kim) (U.S.)\n- [Lindsey Jacobellis](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Lindsey-Jacobellis) (U.S.)\n- [Shaun White](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Shaun-White) (U.S.)\n\n## [Speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/speed-skating)\n[![Shani Davis](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/70\/284770-050-1B56033C\/Shani-Davis-2018-Olympics.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/70\/284770-050-1B56033C\/Shani-Davis-2018-Olympics.jpg)\n\n[Shani Davis](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/70\/284770-050-1B56033C\/Shani-Davis-2018-Olympics.jpg)American speed skater Shani Davis competing at the Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games, February 13, 2018.\n\n(more)\n\n[Speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/speed-skating) is the sport of racing on ice skates around a 400-meter- (1,312-foot-) long track in an ice rink. The competitors typically race two at a time on a two-lane track and race against the clock. It originated in the [Netherlands](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Netherlands), possibly as early as the 13th century. Organized international competition developed in the late 19th century, and the sport was first included at the Winter Olympics in 1924.\n\n- [Hjallis Andersen](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Hjalmar-Andersen) (Norway)\n- [Ivar Ballangrud](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Ivar-Ballangrud) (Norway)\n- [Bonnie Blair](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Bonnie-Blair) (U.S.)\n- [Shani Davis](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Shani-Davis) (U.S.)\n- [Karin Enke](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Karin-Enke) (East Germany)\n- [Yevgeny Grishin](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Yevgeny-Grishin) (U.S.S.R.)\n- [Eric Heiden](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Eric-Heiden) (U.S.)\n- [Dianne Holum](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Dianne-Holum) (U.S.)\n- [Clara Hughes](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Clara-Hughes) (Canada)\n- [Irving Jaffee](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Irving-Jaffee) (U.S.)\n- [Daniel Jansen](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Dan-Jansen) (U.S.)\n- [Knut Johannesen](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Knut-Johannesen) (Norway)\n- [Cindy Klassen](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Cindy-Klassen) (Canada)\n- [Johann Olav Koss](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Johann-Olav-Koss) (Norway)\n- [Sven Kramer](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Sven-Kramer) (Netherlands)\n- [Christa Luding-Rothenburger](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Christa-Luding-Rothenburger) (East Germany)\n- [Terry McDermott](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Terry-McDermott) (U.S.)\n- [Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Gunda-Niemann-Stirnemann) (Germany)\n- [Claudia Pechstein](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Claudia-Pechstein) (Germany)\n- [Ard Schenk](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Ard-Schenk) (Netherlands)\n- [Jack Shea](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jack-Shea) (U.S.)\n- [Lidiya Skoblikova](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Lidiya-Skoblikova) (U.S.S.R.)\n- [Clas Thunberg](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Clas-Thunberg) (Finland)\n- [Yvonne van Gennip](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Yvonne-van-Gennip) (Netherlands)\n- [Ireen Wüst](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Ireen-Wust) (Netherlands)\n\n[Will Gosner](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/will-gosner\/9852049)","attrs_readable_markdown":"Athletes competing in the [Winter Olympics](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Winter-Olympic-Games) have wowed audiences with their amazing feats on ice and snow since the first full-fledged edition of the Winter Games, held in [1924 in Chamonix, France](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Chamonix-1924-Olympic-Winter-Games). Below are select past and future Winter Olympic Games competitors and their countries of representation during their pursuit of Olympic glory.\n\n## [Alpine skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Alpine-skiing)\n[Benjamin Raich](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/24\/169924-050-1546D110\/Benjamin-Raich-2010.jpg)Austrian skier Benjamin Raich racing in the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS; International Ski Federation) Alpine skiing World Cup slalom race, Val d'Isère, France, December 2010.\n\n[Alpine skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Alpine-skiing) evolved during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the mountainous [terrain](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/terrain) of the [Alps](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Alps) in central [Europe](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Europe). Modern Alpine competitive skiing is divided into speed events—[downhill skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/downhill-skiing) and the supergiant slalom, or super-G—and technical events—the [slalom](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/slalom-skiing-race) and giant slalom. It made its Olympic debut at the [1936 Winter Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Garmisch-Partenkirchen-1936-Olympic-Winter-Games) in [Garmisch-Partenkirchen](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Garmisch-Partenkirchen), [Germany](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Germany).\n\n## [Biathlon](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/biathlon)\n[The greatest biathlete](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/79\/256879-050-82E501A6\/Ole-Einar-Bjoerndalen-of-Norway-competes-during-the-Mens-4-x-75-km-Relay-during-day-15-of-the-Sochi-2014-Winter-Olympics.jpg)Ole Einar Bjørndalen competing in the men's 4 × 7.5-km relay at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia; the Norwegian team was later awarded the bronze medal in the event after the Russian team was disqualified because of doping violations.\n\n[Biathlon](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/biathlon) is a winter sport [combining](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/combining) [cross-country skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/cross-country-skiing) and [rifle marksmanship](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/shooting). It developed among the militaries of [Scandinavian](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Scandinavia) countries, and the first recorded biathlon competition took place in 1767 along the [Norway](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Norway)\\-[Sweden](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Sweden) border between military patrol companies. It was included at the first [Winter Games, held in Chamonix, France](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Chamonix-1924-Olympic-Winter-Games), in 1924, under the name “military ski patrol” and became an official event known as the biathlon at the [1960 Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/1960-Olympic-Winter-Games), held in what is now [Olympic Valley](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Olympic-Valley), [California](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/California-state).\n\n## [Bobsledding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/bobsledding)\n[Steven Holcomb](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/31\/164631-004-5AF42AF2\/Steven-Holcomb-2010.jpg)The U.S. men's four-person bobsled team, led by Steven Holcomb (in front), celebrating winning a gold medal in the event at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.\n\n[Bobsledding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/bobsledding) involves sliding down an ice-covered natural or artificial incline on a four-runner sled, called a bobsled, bobsleigh, or bob, that carries from one to four persons. It developed in the 1880s, both in the lumbering towns of upstate [New York](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/New-York-state) and at the ski resorts of the Swiss [Alps](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Alps). The sport has been part of the Olympics since the first Winter Games in 1924.\n\n## [Cross-country skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/cross-country-skiing)\n[Cross-country skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/cross-country-skiing) entails skiing in open country over rolling, hilly terrain. It originated in Scandinavian countries as a means of travel as well as recreation and remains popular there. Athletes use longer, narrower skis and poles than those used in Alpine skiing events. Cross-country skiing has been a Winter Olympics sport since 1924.\n\n## [Curling](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/curling)\n[Curling](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/curling) is a game similar to [lawn bowls](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/bowls) but played on ice. Typically, two teams of four players participate in a curling match. Each player slides round stones across the ice toward a fixed mark in the center of a circle. The object of the game is for each side to get its stones closest to the center. Curling is associated especially with [Scotland](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Scotland), where it dates to the early 16th century, and is popular in [Canada](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Canada). It was included in the program of the inaugural Winter Games in Chamonix but did not return as a medal sport until the [1998 Games in Nagano, Japan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Nagano-1998-Olympic-Winter-Games). Being a [niche](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/niche) team sport, individual athletes aren’t well known, but a number of athletes have made their mark at the Olympics. Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris of Canada and Anette Norberg, Eva Lund, Cathrine Lindahl, and Anna Le Moine of Sweden have each won two gold medals.\n\n## [Figure skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/figure-skating)\n[Peggy Fleming](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/24\/257424-050-CAEB8BCA\/American-figure-skater-Peggy-Fleming-practices-outside-rink-February-1968-in-Grenoble-France-French-Alps.jpg)American figure skater Peggy Fleming practicing on an outdoor rink in Grenoble, France, during the 1968 Winter Olympic Games. She won a gold medal at the Games.\n\nAmong the most popular Winter Olympics [disciplines](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/disciplines), [figure skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/figure-skating) is a sport in which ice skaters, individually or in pairs, perform freestyle movements of jumps, spins, lifts, and footwork in a graceful manner. There are various kinds of figure skating, including freestyle, pairs, ice dance, and synchronized team skating. Figure skating was first included at the Games in [London in 1908](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/London-1908-Olympic-Games), and ice dance was added in [1976](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Innsbruck-1976-Olympic-Winter-Games).\n\nGo beyond the basics with trusted, in-depth knowledge for professionals, students, and lifelong learners.\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=basics-2026)\n\n![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-left.webp)\n\n![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-right.webp)\n\n![Mobile](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-mobile.webp?w=400)\n\ndocument.querySelectorAll('.marketing-INLINE\\_SUBSCRIPTION').forEach(el =\\> { el.style.containerType = 'inline-size'; });\n\n## [Freestyle skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/freestyle-skiing)\n[Aiko Uemura](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/73\/116573-050-F05269D3\/Aiko-Uemura-event-Freestyle-Skiing-Womens-Moguls-March-7-2008.jpg)Japanese skier Aiko Uemura competing in the freestyle skiing women's moguls World Cup event in Åre, Sweden, March 7, 2008.\n\n[Freestyle skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/freestyle-skiing) is a winter sport that [combines](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/combines) skiing and acrobatics. Mogul skiing debuted at the [1992 Games in Albertville, France](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Albertville-1992-Olympic-Winter-Games), and aerials events were added to the [1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Lillehammer-1994-Olympic-Winter-Games). Ski halfpipe and slopestyle (wherein skiers race down a course laden with jumps and rails, off of which they do tricks that are judged for points) were added to the schedule for the [2014 Sochi Winter Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Sochi-2014-Olympic-Winter-Games). Notable freestyle skiers in Olympic history include Mikaël Kingsbury, a Canadian mogul specialist with one gold and two silver medals, and [Eileen Gu](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Eileen-Gu), an American-born athlete who competed for China in [Beijing in 2022](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games) and became the first freestyle skier to win three medals at a single Games.\n\n## [Ice hockey](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ice-hockey)\n[James Craig in action](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/28\/21428-050-A84926C0\/James-Craig-American-1980.jpg)1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team goalie James Craig making a save during the “Miracle on Ice” game.\n\n[Ice hockey](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ice-hockey) is a game between two teams, usually of six players each, who wear skates and compete on an ice rink. The object is to [propel](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/propel) a puck past a goal line and into a net guarded by a goaltender. With its speed and frequent physical contact, ice hockey has become one of the most popular international [sports](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/sports). Men’s ice hockey made its Olympic debut in [1920 in Antwerp, Belgium](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Antwerp-1920-Olympic-Games), whereas women first competed in the sport in 1998 at Nagano, Japan. In the past, participating teams consisted mostly, if not completely, of amateur players. In 1995 an agreement between governing bodies and player associations allowed professional athletes to compete at the Olympics, and [National Hockey League](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/National-Hockey-League) (NHL) players participated in the Olympics from 1998 through 2014. NHL players will return to the Olympics at the [2026 Milano Cortina Games](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Milano-Cortina-2026-Olympic-Winter-Games).\n\n## [Luge](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/lugeing)\n[Luge](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/90\/193590-050-44DE8B6A\/Natalie-Geisenberger-joy-women-Germany-luge-world-January-20-2016.jpg)Germany's Natalie Geisenberger celebrating at a world championships race in Koenigssee, Germany, 2016.\n\n[Luge](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/lugeing) is a form of small-sled racing in which an athlete rides a luge (the French word for “sled”) while lying on their back and steering by subtle leg and shoulder movements. Dating to the 15th century, luge is a traditional winter sport in [Austria](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Austria) and [Germany](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Germany). Luge was included in the Olympic Winter Games for the first time in 1964.\n\n## [Nordic combined](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Nordic-combined)\n[Nordic combined](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Nordic-combined) is an event that combines the two [Nordic skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/Nordic-skiing) events of cross-country skiing and [ski jumping](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ski-jumping). It was included in the first Winter Olympic program in 1924.\n\n## [Short-track speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/short-track-speed-skating)\n[Viktor Ahn](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/53\/222853-050-DF0AE05E\/Viktor-Ahn-short-track-500m-final-Sochi-Winter-Olympics-February-21-2014.jpg)Speed skater Viktor Ahn competing in the short-track men's 500-meter event at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.\n\n[Short-track speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/short-track-speed-skating) tests the speed, technical skating ability, and aggressiveness of its competitors. Unlike traditional long-track [speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/speed-skating), contestants race against each other instead of the clock, and they compete on a track that is 111 meters (364 feet) per lap. It made its Olympic debut at the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France.\n\n## [Skeleton sledding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/skeleton-sledding)\n[Skeleton sledding](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/83\/196783-050-69D52A75\/Skeleton-sledding-2016-Winter-Youth-Olympics-Norway-2016.jpg)An athlete competing in skeleton sledding at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.\n\n[Skeleton sledding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/skeleton-sledding) closely resembles lugeing except that athletes ride on their stomach in a headfirst position. It developed as a sport in the 1880s on the famed Cresta Run in [St. Mortiz](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Saint-Moritz), [Switzerland](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Switzerland). Skeleton sledding was included twice in the Olympic Winter Games, in [1928](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/St-Moritz-1928-Olympic-Winter-Games) and [1948](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/St-Moritz-1948-Olympic-Winter-Games), each time at St. Moritz, but it later fell into obscurity. After a revival in the late 20th century, skeleton sledding returned to the Winter Olympics in [2002](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Salt-Lake-City-2002-Olympic-Winter-Games).\n\n## [Ski jumping](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ski-jumping)\n[Simon Ammann](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/40\/139940-050-19E6CF1F\/Simon-Ammann-Switzerland-event-Federation-Internationale-de-2009.jpg)Ski jumper Simon Ammann of Switzerland competing in a 2009 Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) World Cup event.\n\n[Ski jumping](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ski-jumping) is a competitive skiing event in which contestants ski down a steep ramp that curves upward at the end, or takeoff point. Skiers leap from the end, trying to cover as much horizontal distance in the air as possible. Ski jumping has been included in the Winter Olympics since the 1924 Games in Chamonix, France.\n\n## [Ski mountaineering](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ski-mountaineering)\n[Ski mountaineering](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/ski-mountaineering) is a newer sport that involves racing up a mountain, using both skis and boots, followed by a [descent](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/descent) on skis. It will make its Olympic debut at the 2026 Games. Ski mountaineering athletes expected to compete for medals include Oriol Cardona Coll of Spain and Axelle Gachet-Mollaret of France.\n\n## [Snowboarding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/snowboarding)\n[Chloe Kim](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/25\/198725-050-EE5FAEE7\/Chloe-Kim-American-jump-halfpipe-finals-women-2018.jpg)American snowboarder Chloe Kim competing in the women's half-pipe finals at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.\n\n[Snowboarding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/snowboarding) is a winter sport with roots in [skiing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/skiing), [surfing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/surfing), and [skateboarding](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/skateboarding), in which the primary activity is riding down a snow-covered surface while standing on a snowboard with feet positioned roughly perpendicular to the board and its direction. The sport developed in the 1960s and ’70s, grew in popularity in the 1980s, and became an Olympic sport in 1998.\n\n## [Speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/speed-skating)\n[Shani Davis](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/70\/284770-050-1B56033C\/Shani-Davis-2018-Olympics.jpg)American speed skater Shani Davis competing at the Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games, February 13, 2018.\n\n[Speed skating](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/sports\/speed-skating) is the sport of racing on ice skates around a 400-meter- (1,312-foot-) long track in an ice rink. The competitors typically race two at a time on a two-lane track and race against the clock. It originated in the [Netherlands](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Netherlands), possibly as early as the 13th century. 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URL	https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes
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Meta Title	List of Winter Olympic Athletes \| Country, USA, Sports, People, Games, & History \| Britannica
Meta Description	Athletes competing in the Winter Olympics have wowed audiences with their amazing feats on ice and snow since the first full-fledged edition of the Winter Games, held in 1924 in Chamonix, France. This article lists select past and future Winter Olympic Games competitors and their countries of representation during their pursuit of Olympic glory.
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Boilerpipe Text	Athletes competing in the Winter Olympics have wowed audiences with their amazing feats on ice and snow since the first full-fledged edition of the Winter Games, held in 1924 in Chamonix, France . Below are select past and future Winter Olympic Games competitors and their countries of representation during their pursuit of Olympic glory. Alpine skiing Benjamin Raich Austrian skier Benjamin Raich racing in the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS; International Ski Federation) Alpine skiing World Cup slalom race, Val d'Isère, France, December 2010. Alpine skiing evolved during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the mountainous terrain of the Alps in central Europe . Modern Alpine competitive skiing is divided into speed events— downhill skiing and the supergiant slalom, or super-G—and technical events—the slalom and giant slalom. It made its Olympic debut at the 1936 Winter Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen , Germany . Biathlon The greatest biathlete Ole Einar Bjørndalen competing in the men's 4 × 7.5-km relay at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia; the Norwegian team was later awarded the bronze medal in the event after the Russian team was disqualified because of doping violations. Biathlon is a winter sport combining cross-country skiing and rifle marksmanship . It developed among the militaries of Scandinavian countries, and the first recorded biathlon competition took place in 1767 along the Norway - Sweden border between military patrol companies. It was included at the first Winter Games, held in Chamonix, France , in 1924, under the name “military ski patrol” and became an official event known as the biathlon at the 1960 Games , held in what is now Olympic Valley , California . Bobsledding Steven Holcomb The U.S. men's four-person bobsled team, led by Steven Holcomb (in front), celebrating winning a gold medal in the event at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Bobsledding involves sliding down an ice-covered natural or artificial incline on a four-runner sled, called a bobsled, bobsleigh, or bob, that carries from one to four persons. It developed in the 1880s, both in the lumbering towns of upstate New York and at the ski resorts of the Swiss Alps . The sport has been part of the Olympics since the first Winter Games in 1924. Cross-country skiing Cross-country skiing entails skiing in open country over rolling, hilly terrain. It originated in Scandinavian countries as a means of travel as well as recreation and remains popular there. Athletes use longer, narrower skis and poles than those used in Alpine skiing events. Cross-country skiing has been a Winter Olympics sport since 1924. Curling Curling is a game similar to lawn bowls but played on ice. Typically, two teams of four players participate in a curling match. Each player slides round stones across the ice toward a fixed mark in the center of a circle. The object of the game is for each side to get its stones closest to the center. Curling is associated especially with Scotland , where it dates to the early 16th century, and is popular in Canada . It was included in the program of the inaugural Winter Games in Chamonix but did not return as a medal sport until the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan . Being a niche team sport, individual athletes aren’t well known, but a number of athletes have made their mark at the Olympics. Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris of Canada and Anette Norberg, Eva Lund, Cathrine Lindahl, and Anna Le Moine of Sweden have each won two gold medals. Figure skating Peggy Fleming American figure skater Peggy Fleming practicing on an outdoor rink in Grenoble, France, during the 1968 Winter Olympic Games. She won a gold medal at the Games. Among the most popular Winter Olympics disciplines , figure skating is a sport in which ice skaters, individually or in pairs, perform freestyle movements of jumps, spins, lifts, and footwork in a graceful manner. There are various kinds of figure skating, including freestyle, pairs, ice dance, and synchronized team skating. Figure skating was first included at the Games in London in 1908 , and ice dance was added in 1976 . Go beyond the basics with trusted, in-depth knowledge for professionals, students, and lifelong learners. SUBSCRIBE document.querySelectorAll('.marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION').forEach(el => { el.style.containerType = 'inline-size'; }); Freestyle skiing Aiko Uemura Japanese skier Aiko Uemura competing in the freestyle skiing women's moguls World Cup event in Åre, Sweden, March 7, 2008. Freestyle skiing is a winter sport that combines skiing and acrobatics. Mogul skiing debuted at the 1992 Games in Albertville, France , and aerials events were added to the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway . Ski halfpipe and slopestyle (wherein skiers race down a course laden with jumps and rails, off of which they do tricks that are judged for points) were added to the schedule for the 2014 Sochi Winter Games . Notable freestyle skiers in Olympic history include Mikaël Kingsbury, a Canadian mogul specialist with one gold and two silver medals, and Eileen Gu , an American-born athlete who competed for China in Beijing in 2022 and became the first freestyle skier to win three medals at a single Games. Ice hockey James Craig in action 1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team goalie James Craig making a save during the “Miracle on Ice” game. Ice hockey is a game between two teams, usually of six players each, who wear skates and compete on an ice rink. The object is to propel a puck past a goal line and into a net guarded by a goaltender. With its speed and frequent physical contact, ice hockey has become one of the most popular international sports . Men’s ice hockey made its Olympic debut in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium , whereas women first competed in the sport in 1998 at Nagano, Japan. In the past, participating teams consisted mostly, if not completely, of amateur players. In 1995 an agreement between governing bodies and player associations allowed professional athletes to compete at the Olympics, and National Hockey League (NHL) players participated in the Olympics from 1998 through 2014. NHL players will return to the Olympics at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games . Luge Luge Germany's Natalie Geisenberger celebrating at a world championships race in Koenigssee, Germany, 2016. Luge is a form of small-sled racing in which an athlete rides a luge (the French word for “sled”) while lying on their back and steering by subtle leg and shoulder movements. Dating to the 15th century, luge is a traditional winter sport in Austria and Germany . Luge was included in the Olympic Winter Games for the first time in 1964. Nordic combined Nordic combined is an event that combines the two Nordic skiing events of cross-country skiing and ski jumping . It was included in the first Winter Olympic program in 1924. Short-track speed skating Viktor Ahn Speed skater Viktor Ahn competing in the short-track men's 500-meter event at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Short-track speed skating tests the speed, technical skating ability, and aggressiveness of its competitors. Unlike traditional long-track speed skating , contestants race against each other instead of the clock, and they compete on a track that is 111 meters (364 feet) per lap. It made its Olympic debut at the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France. Skeleton sledding Skeleton sledding An athlete competing in skeleton sledding at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Skeleton sledding closely resembles lugeing except that athletes ride on their stomach in a headfirst position. It developed as a sport in the 1880s on the famed Cresta Run in St. Mortiz , Switzerland . Skeleton sledding was included twice in the Olympic Winter Games, in 1928 and 1948 , each time at St. Moritz, but it later fell into obscurity. After a revival in the late 20th century, skeleton sledding returned to the Winter Olympics in 2002 . Ski jumping Simon Ammann Ski jumper Simon Ammann of Switzerland competing in a 2009 Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) World Cup event. Ski jumping is a competitive skiing event in which contestants ski down a steep ramp that curves upward at the end, or takeoff point. Skiers leap from the end, trying to cover as much horizontal distance in the air as possible. Ski jumping has been included in the Winter Olympics since the 1924 Games in Chamonix, France. Ski mountaineering Ski mountaineering is a newer sport that involves racing up a mountain, using both skis and boots, followed by a descent on skis. It will make its Olympic debut at the 2026 Games. Ski mountaineering athletes expected to compete for medals include Oriol Cardona Coll of Spain and Axelle Gachet-Mollaret of France. Snowboarding Chloe Kim American snowboarder Chloe Kim competing in the women's half-pipe finals at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Snowboarding is a winter sport with roots in skiing , surfing , and skateboarding , in which the primary activity is riding down a snow-covered surface while standing on a snowboard with feet positioned roughly perpendicular to the board and its direction. The sport developed in the 1960s and ’70s, grew in popularity in the 1980s, and became an Olympic sport in 1998. Speed skating Shani Davis American speed skater Shani Davis competing at the Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games, February 13, 2018. Speed skating is the sport of racing on ice skates around a 400-meter- (1,312-foot-) long track in an ice rink. The competitors typically race two at a time on a two-lane track and race against the clock. It originated in the Netherlands , possibly as early as the 13th century. Organized international competition developed in the late 19th century, and the sport was first included at the Winter Olympics in 1924.
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[Introduction](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes) - [Alpine skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454519) - [Biathlon](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454520) - [Bobsledding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454521) - [Cross-country skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454522) - [Curling](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454523) - [Figure skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454524) - [Freestyle skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454525) - [Ice hockey](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454526) - [Luge](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454527) - [Nordic combined](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454528) - [Short-track speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454529) - [Skeleton sledding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454530) - [Ski jumping](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454531) - [Ski mountaineering](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454532) - [Snowboarding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454533) - [Speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes#ref454534) [References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes/additional-info) [Images](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes/images-videos) [![Canadian speed skater Clara Hughes](https://cdn.britannica.com/51/258751-004-9667540C/Clara-Hughes-of-Canada-skates-the-womens-3000m-speed-skating-competition-of-the-XIXth-Olympic-Games-February-10-2002-Salt-lake-city.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/51/258751-050-D292B586/Clara-Hughes-of-Canada-skates-the-womens-3000m-speed-skating-competition-of-the-XIXth-Olympic-Games-February-10-2002-Salt-lake-city.jpg) [![Benjamin Raich](https://cdn.britannica.com/24/169924-004-4C8A166E/Benjamin-Raich-2010.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/24/169924-050-1546D110/Benjamin-Raich-2010.jpg) [![The greatest biathlete](https://cdn.britannica.com/79/256879-004-ADEDEED1/Ole-Einar-Bjoerndalen-of-Norway-competes-during-the-Mens-4-x-75-km-Relay-during-day-15-of-the-Sochi-2014-Winter-Olympics.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/79/256879-050-82E501A6/Ole-Einar-Bjoerndalen-of-Norway-competes-during-the-Mens-4-x-75-km-Relay-during-day-15-of-the-Sochi-2014-Winter-Olympics.jpg) [![Steven Holcomb](https://cdn.britannica.com/31/164631-004-5AF42AF2/Steven-Holcomb-2010.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/31/164631-004-5AF42AF2/Steven-Holcomb-2010.jpg) [![Marja-Liisa Hämäläinen at the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympic Games](https://cdn.britannica.com/02/249402-004-7FB5CF4F/Marja-Liisa-Hamalainen-Kirvesniemi-Finland-Cross-Country-Skiing-1984-Winter-Olympics-Yugoslavia.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/02/249402-050-51489E77/Marja-Liisa-Hamalainen-Kirvesniemi-Finland-Cross-Country-Skiing-1984-Winter-Olympics-Yugoslavia.jpg) [![Women's curling at the 2018 Winter Olympics](https://cdn.britannica.com/07/226107-004-8430E4CA/Womens-gold-medal-game-between-South-Korea-and-Sweden-2018-Winter-Olympics-Gangneung-South-Korea-February-25-2018.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/07/226107-050-34DE0624/Womens-gold-medal-game-between-South-Korea-and-Sweden-2018-Winter-Olympics-Gangneung-South-Korea-February-25-2018.jpg) [![Peggy Fleming](https://cdn.britannica.com/24/257424-004-304ACE1B/American-figure-skater-Peggy-Fleming-practices-outside-rink-February-1968-in-Grenoble-France-French-Alps.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/24/257424-050-CAEB8BCA/American-figure-skater-Peggy-Fleming-practices-outside-rink-February-1968-in-Grenoble-France-French-Alps.jpg) [![Aiko Uemura](https://cdn.britannica.com/73/116573-004-2890F294/Aiko-Uemura-event-Freestyle-Skiing-Womens-Moguls-March-7-2008.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/73/116573-050-F05269D3/Aiko-Uemura-event-Freestyle-Skiing-Womens-Moguls-March-7-2008.jpg) [![James Craig in action](https://cdn.britannica.com/28/21428-004-D7375BBD/James-Craig-American-1980.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/28/21428-050-A84926C0/James-Craig-American-1980.jpg) [![Luge](https://cdn.britannica.com/90/193590-004-759F360A/Natalie-Geisenberger-joy-women-Germany-luge-world-January-20-2016.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/90/193590-050-44DE8B6A/Natalie-Geisenberger-joy-women-Germany-luge-world-January-20-2016.jpg) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-178/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2) Contents [Sports & Recreation](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Sports-Recreation) [Olympic Sports](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Olympic-Sports) print Print Please select which sections you would like to print: CITE verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 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External Websites [![Canadian speed skater Clara Hughes](https://cdn.britannica.com/51/258751-050-D292B586/Clara-Hughes-of-Canada-skates-the-womens-3000m-speed-skating-competition-of-the-XIXth-Olympic-Games-February-10-2002-Salt-lake-city.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https://cdn.britannica.com/51/258751-050-D292B586/Clara-Hughes-of-Canada-skates-the-womens-3000m-speed-skating-competition-of-the-XIXth-Olympic-Games-February-10-2002-Salt-lake-city.jpg) [Canadian speed skater Clara Hughes](https://cdn.britannica.com/51/258751-050-D292B586/Clara-Hughes-of-Canada-skates-the-womens-3000m-speed-skating-competition-of-the-XIXth-Olympic-Games-February-10-2002-Salt-lake-city.jpg) Clara Hughes competing in the women's 3,000-meter speed skating event at the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. (more) # List of Winter Olympic Athletes Ask Anything Homework Help Written by [Will Gosner Will Gosner is an associate editor covering general interest topics, including film, television, and sports. He has a B.A. from the University of Chicago. He joined Britannica in 2014.](https://www.britannica.com/editor/will-gosner/9852049) Will Gosner Fact-checked by [Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https://www.britannica.com/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419) Britannica Editors Last updated Feb. 18, 2026 •[History](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Winter-Olympic-Athletes/additional-info#history) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-178/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.178.2) Britannica AI Ask Anything Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask Anything Athletes competing in the [Winter Olympics](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Winter-Olympic-Games) have wowed audiences with their amazing feats on ice and snow since the first full-fledged edition of the Winter Games, held in [1924 in Chamonix, France](https://www.britannica.com/event/Chamonix-1924-Olympic-Winter-Games). Below are select past and future Winter Olympic Games competitors and their countries of representation during their pursuit of Olympic glory. ## [Alpine skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Alpine-skiing) [![Benjamin Raich](https://cdn.britannica.com/24/169924-050-1546D110/Benjamin-Raich-2010.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/24/169924-050-1546D110/Benjamin-Raich-2010.jpg) [Benjamin Raich](https://cdn.britannica.com/24/169924-050-1546D110/Benjamin-Raich-2010.jpg)Austrian skier Benjamin Raich racing in the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS; International Ski Federation) Alpine skiing World Cup slalom race, Val d'Isère, France, December 2010. (more) [Alpine skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Alpine-skiing) evolved during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the mountainous [terrain](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/terrain) of the [Alps](https://www.britannica.com/place/Alps) in central [Europe](https://www.britannica.com/place/Europe). Modern Alpine competitive skiing is divided into speed events—[downhill skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/downhill-skiing) and the supergiant slalom, or super-G—and technical events—the [slalom](https://www.britannica.com/sports/slalom-skiing-race) and giant slalom. It made its Olympic debut at the [1936 Winter Games](https://www.britannica.com/event/Garmisch-Partenkirchen-1936-Olympic-Winter-Games) in [Garmisch-Partenkirchen](https://www.britannica.com/place/Garmisch-Partenkirchen), [Germany](https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany). - [Marcel Hirscher](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marcel-Hirscher) (Austria) - [Marc Girardelli](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marc-Girardelli) (Luxembourg) - [Christine Goitschel](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Christine-Goitschel) (France) - [Marielle Goitschel](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marielle-Goitschel) (France) - [Nancy Greene](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nancy-Greene-Raine) (Canada) - [Carlo Janka](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Carlo-Janka) (Switzerland) - [Jean-Claude Killy](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Claude-Killy) (France) - [Lasse Kjus](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lasse-Kjus) (Norway) - [Franz Klammer](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Franz-Klammer) (Austria) - [Janica Kostelić](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Janica-Kostelic) (Croatia) - [Ted Ligety](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ted-Ligety) (U.S.) - [Hermann Maier](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hermann-Maier) (Austria) - [Phil Mahre](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Phil-Mahre) (U.S.) - [Tina Maze](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tina-Maze) (Slovenia) - [Andrea Mead Lawrence](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Andrea-Mead-Lawrence) (U.S.) - [Bode Miller](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bode-Miller) (U.S.) - [Rosi Mittermaier](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rosi-Mittermaier) (West Germany) - [Annemarie Moser-Prӧll](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Annemarie-Moser-Proll) (Austria) - [Marie-Thérèse Nadig](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marie-Therese-Nadig) (Switzerland) - [Henri Oreiller](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henri-Oreiller) (France) - [Anja Pärson](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anja-Parson) (Sweden) - [Benjamin Raich](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benjamin-Raich) (Austria) - [Anton Sailer](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anton-Sailer) (Austria) - [Vreni Schneider](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vreni-Schneider) (Switzerland) - [Mikaela Shiffrin](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mikaela-Shiffrin) (U.S.) - [Ingemar Stenmark](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ingemar-Stenmark) (Sweden) - [Picabo Street](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Picabo-Street) (U.S.) - [Aksel Lund Svindal](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aksel-Lund-Svindal) (Norway) - [Alberto Tomba](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alberto-Tomba) (Italy) - [Lindsey Vonn](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lindsey-Vonn) (U.S.) - [Hanni Wenzel](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hanni-Wenzel) (Liechtenstein) ## [Biathlon](https://www.britannica.com/sports/biathlon) [![The greatest biathlete](https://cdn.britannica.com/79/256879-050-82E501A6/Ole-Einar-Bjoerndalen-of-Norway-competes-during-the-Mens-4-x-75-km-Relay-during-day-15-of-the-Sochi-2014-Winter-Olympics.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/79/256879-050-82E501A6/Ole-Einar-Bjoerndalen-of-Norway-competes-during-the-Mens-4-x-75-km-Relay-during-day-15-of-the-Sochi-2014-Winter-Olympics.jpg) [The greatest biathlete](https://cdn.britannica.com/79/256879-050-82E501A6/Ole-Einar-Bjoerndalen-of-Norway-competes-during-the-Mens-4-x-75-km-Relay-during-day-15-of-the-Sochi-2014-Winter-Olympics.jpg)Ole Einar Bjørndalen competing in the men's 4 × 7.5-km relay at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia; the Norwegian team was later awarded the bronze medal in the event after the Russian team was disqualified because of doping violations. (more) [Biathlon](https://www.britannica.com/sports/biathlon) is a winter sport [combining](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/combining) [cross-country skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/cross-country-skiing) and [rifle marksmanship](https://www.britannica.com/sports/shooting). It developed among the militaries of [Scandinavian](https://www.britannica.com/place/Scandinavia) countries, and the first recorded biathlon competition took place in 1767 along the [Norway](https://www.britannica.com/place/Norway)\-[Sweden](https://www.britannica.com/place/Sweden) border between military patrol companies. It was included at the first [Winter Games, held in Chamonix, France](https://www.britannica.com/event/Chamonix-1924-Olympic-Winter-Games), in 1924, under the name “military ski patrol” and became an official event known as the biathlon at the [1960 Games](https://www.britannica.com/event/1960-Olympic-Winter-Games), held in what is now [Olympic Valley](https://www.britannica.com/place/Olympic-Valley), [California](https://www.britannica.com/place/California-state). - [Myriam Bédard](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Myriam-Bedard) (Canada) - [Ole Einar Bjørndalen](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ole-Einar-Bjorndalen) (Norway) ## [Bobsledding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/bobsledding) [![Steven Holcomb](https://cdn.britannica.com/31/164631-004-5AF42AF2/Steven-Holcomb-2010.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/31/164631-004-5AF42AF2/Steven-Holcomb-2010.jpg) [Steven Holcomb](https://cdn.britannica.com/31/164631-004-5AF42AF2/Steven-Holcomb-2010.jpg)The U.S. men's four-person bobsled team, led by Steven Holcomb (in front), celebrating winning a gold medal in the event at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. (more) [Bobsledding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/bobsledding) involves sliding down an ice-covered natural or artificial incline on a four-runner sled, called a bobsled, bobsleigh, or bob, that carries from one to four persons. It developed in the 1880s, both in the lumbering towns of upstate [New York](https://www.britannica.com/place/New-York-state) and at the ski resorts of the Swiss [Alps](https://www.britannica.com/place/Alps). The sport has been part of the Olympics since the first Winter Games in 1924. - [Eddie Eagan](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eddie-Eagan) (U.S.) - [Steven Holcomb](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Steven-Holcomb) (U.S.) - [Kaillie Humphries](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kaillie-Humphries) (Canada and U.S.) - [Eugenio Monti](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eugenio-Monti) (Italy) - [André Lange](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Andre-Lange) (Germany) ## [Cross-country skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/cross-country-skiing) [![Marja-Liisa Hämäläinen at the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympic Games](https://cdn.britannica.com/02/249402-050-51489E77/Marja-Liisa-Hamalainen-Kirvesniemi-Finland-Cross-Country-Skiing-1984-Winter-Olympics-Yugoslavia.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/02/249402-050-51489E77/Marja-Liisa-Hamalainen-Kirvesniemi-Finland-Cross-Country-Skiing-1984-Winter-Olympics-Yugoslavia.jpg) [Marja-Liisa Hämäläinen at the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympic Games](https://cdn.britannica.com/02/249402-050-51489E77/Marja-Liisa-Hamalainen-Kirvesniemi-Finland-Cross-Country-Skiing-1984-Winter-Olympics-Yugoslavia.jpg)Finnish cross-country skier Marja-Liisa Hämäläinen won three gold medals at the 1984 Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia (now in Bosnia and Herzegovina). (more) [Cross-country skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/cross-country-skiing) entails skiing in open country over rolling, hilly terrain. It originated in Scandinavian countries as a means of travel as well as recreation and remains popular there. Athletes use longer, narrower skis and poles than those used in Alpine skiing events. Cross-country skiing has been a Winter Olympics sport since 1924. - [Marit Bjørgen](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marit-Bjorgen) (Norway) - [Bjørn Dæhlie](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bjorn-Daehlie) (Norway) - [Manuela Di Centa](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Manuela-Di-Centa) (Italy) - [Toini Gustafsson](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Toini-Gustafsson) (Sweden) - [Veikko Hakulinen](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Veikko-Hakulinen) (Finland) - [Marja-Liisa Hämäläinen](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marja-Liisa-Hamalainen) (Finland) - [Thorleif Haug](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thorleif-Haug) (Norway) - [Sixten Jernberg](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sixten-Jernberg) (Sweden) - [Galina Kulakova](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Galina-Kulakova) (U.S.S.R.) - [Eero Mäntyranta](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eero-Mantyranta) (Finland) - [Bente Skari](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bente-Skari) (Norway) - [Raisa Smetanina](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Raisa-Smetanina) (U.S.S.R.) - [Vegard Ulvang](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vegard-Ulvang) (Norway) - [Yelena Vyalbe](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Yelena-Vyalbe) (Russia) - [Nikolay Zimyatov](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nikolay-Zimyatov) (U.S.S.R.) ## [Curling](https://www.britannica.com/sports/curling) [![Women's curling at the 2018 Winter Olympics](https://cdn.britannica.com/07/226107-050-34DE0624/Womens-gold-medal-game-between-South-Korea-and-Sweden-2018-Winter-Olympics-Gangneung-South-Korea-February-25-2018.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/07/226107-050-34DE0624/Womens-gold-medal-game-between-South-Korea-and-Sweden-2018-Winter-Olympics-Gangneung-South-Korea-February-25-2018.jpg) [Women's curling at the 2018 Winter Olympics](https://cdn.britannica.com/07/226107-050-34DE0624/Womens-gold-medal-game-between-South-Korea-and-Sweden-2018-Winter-Olympics-Gangneung-South-Korea-February-25-2018.jpg)South Korea's curling team during the gold-medal game of the women's tournament at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. (more) [Curling](https://www.britannica.com/sports/curling) is a game similar to [lawn bowls](https://www.britannica.com/sports/bowls) but played on ice. Typically, two teams of four players participate in a curling match. Each player slides round stones across the ice toward a fixed mark in the center of a circle. The object of the game is for each side to get its stones closest to the center. Curling is associated especially with [Scotland](https://www.britannica.com/place/Scotland), where it dates to the early 16th century, and is popular in [Canada](https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada). It was included in the program of the inaugural Winter Games in Chamonix but did not return as a medal sport until the [1998 Games in Nagano, Japan](https://www.britannica.com/event/Nagano-1998-Olympic-Winter-Games). Being a [niche](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/niche) team sport, individual athletes aren’t well known, but a number of athletes have made their mark at the Olympics. Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris of Canada and Anette Norberg, Eva Lund, Cathrine Lindahl, and Anna Le Moine of Sweden have each won two gold medals. ## [Figure skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/figure-skating) [![Peggy Fleming](https://cdn.britannica.com/24/257424-050-CAEB8BCA/American-figure-skater-Peggy-Fleming-practices-outside-rink-February-1968-in-Grenoble-France-French-Alps.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/24/257424-050-CAEB8BCA/American-figure-skater-Peggy-Fleming-practices-outside-rink-February-1968-in-Grenoble-France-French-Alps.jpg) [Peggy Fleming](https://cdn.britannica.com/24/257424-050-CAEB8BCA/American-figure-skater-Peggy-Fleming-practices-outside-rink-February-1968-in-Grenoble-France-French-Alps.jpg)American figure skater Peggy Fleming practicing on an outdoor rink in Grenoble, France, during the 1968 Winter Olympic Games. She won a gold medal at the Games. (more) Among the most popular Winter Olympics [disciplines](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disciplines), [figure skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/figure-skating) is a sport in which ice skaters, individually or in pairs, perform freestyle movements of jumps, spins, lifts, and footwork in a graceful manner. There are various kinds of figure skating, including freestyle, pairs, ice dance, and synchronized team skating. Figure skating was first included at the Games in [London in 1908](https://www.britannica.com/event/London-1908-Olympic-Games), and ice dance was added in [1976](https://www.britannica.com/event/Innsbruck-1976-Olympic-Winter-Games). Explore Britannica Premium\! Go beyond the basics with trusted, in-depth knowledge for professionals, students, and lifelong learners. [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=basics-2026) ![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-left.webp) ![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-right.webp) ![Mobile](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-mobile.webp?w=400) document.querySelectorAll('.marketing-INLINE\_SUBSCRIPTION').forEach(el =\> { el.style.containerType = 'inline-size'; }); - [Tenley Albright](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tenley-Albright) (U.S.) - [Oksana Baiul](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Oksana-Baiul) (Ukraine) - [Lyudmila Belousova and Oleg Protopopov](https://www.britannica.com/biography/the-Protopopovs) (U.S.S.R.) - [Brian Boitano](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Brian-Boitano) (U.S.) - [Dick Button](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dick-Button) (U.S.) - [Andrée Brunet and Pierre Brunet](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Andree-Brunet-and-Pierre-Brunet) (France) - [Patrick Chan](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Patrick-Chan) (Canada) - [Robin Cousins](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robin-Cousins) (Great Britain) - [John Curry](https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Curry) (Great Britain) - [Peggy Fleming](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Peggy-Fleming) (U.S.) - [Carlo Fassi](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Carlo-Fassi) (Italy) - [Amber Glenn](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Amber-Glenn) (U.S.) - [Yekaterina Gordeeva and Sergey Grinkov](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Yekaterina-Gordeeva-and-Sergey-Grinkov) (U.S.S.R.) - [Gillis Grafström](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gillis-Grafstrom) (Sweden) - [Dorothy Hamill](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dorothy-Hamill) (U.S.) - [Scott Hamilton](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Scott-Hamilton) (U.S.) - [Hanyu Yuzuru](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hanyu-Yuzuru) (Japan) - [Carol Heiss](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Carol-Heiss) (U.S.) - [Sonja Henie](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sonja-Henie) (Norway) - [Hayes Alan Jenkins](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hayes-Alan-Jenkins) (U.S.) - [David Jenkins](https://www.britannica.com/biography/David-Jenkins) (U.S.) - [Kim Yu-Na](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kim-Yu-Na) (South Korea) - [Michelle Kwan](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michelle-Kwan) (U.S.) - [Tara Lipinski](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tara-Lipinski) (U.S.) - [Evan Lysacek](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Evan-Lysacek) (U.S.) - [Ilia Malinin](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ilia-Malinin) (U.S.) - [Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tessa-Virtue-and-Scott-Moir) (Canada) - [David Pelletier](https://www.britannica.com/biography/David-Pelletier) (Canada) - [Yevgeny Plushchenko](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Yevgeny-Plushchenko) (Russia) - [Irina Rodnina](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Irina-Rodnina) (U.S.S.R.) - [Ulrich Salchow](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ulrich-Salchow) (Sweden) - [Jamie Salé](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jamie-Sale) (Canada) - [Karl Schäfer](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Karl-Schafer) (Austria) - [Barbara Ann Scott](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Barbara-Ann-Scott) (Canada) - [Irina Slutskaya](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Irina-Slutskaya) (Russia) - [Elvis Stojko](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elvis-Stojko) (Canada) - [Madge Cave Syers](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Madge-Cave-Syers) (Great Britain) - [Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Torvill-and-Dean) (Great Britain) - [Katarina Witt](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Katarina-Witt) (East Germany) - [Kristi Yamaguchi](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kristi-Yamaguchi) (U.S.) ## [Freestyle skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/freestyle-skiing) [![Aiko Uemura](https://cdn.britannica.com/73/116573-050-F05269D3/Aiko-Uemura-event-Freestyle-Skiing-Womens-Moguls-March-7-2008.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/73/116573-050-F05269D3/Aiko-Uemura-event-Freestyle-Skiing-Womens-Moguls-March-7-2008.jpg) [Aiko Uemura](https://cdn.britannica.com/73/116573-050-F05269D3/Aiko-Uemura-event-Freestyle-Skiing-Womens-Moguls-March-7-2008.jpg)Japanese skier Aiko Uemura competing in the freestyle skiing women's moguls World Cup event in Åre, Sweden, March 7, 2008. (more) [Freestyle skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/freestyle-skiing) is a winter sport that [combines](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/combines) skiing and acrobatics. Mogul skiing debuted at the [1992 Games in Albertville, France](https://www.britannica.com/event/Albertville-1992-Olympic-Winter-Games), and aerials events were added to the [1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway](https://www.britannica.com/event/Lillehammer-1994-Olympic-Winter-Games). Ski halfpipe and slopestyle (wherein skiers race down a course laden with jumps and rails, off of which they do tricks that are judged for points) were added to the schedule for the [2014 Sochi Winter Games](https://www.britannica.com/event/Sochi-2014-Olympic-Winter-Games). Notable freestyle skiers in Olympic history include Mikaël Kingsbury, a Canadian mogul specialist with one gold and two silver medals, and [Eileen Gu](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eileen-Gu), an American-born athlete who competed for China in [Beijing in 2022](https://www.britannica.com/event/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games) and became the first freestyle skier to win three medals at a single Games. ## [Ice hockey](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ice-hockey) [![James Craig in action](https://cdn.britannica.com/28/21428-050-A84926C0/James-Craig-American-1980.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/28/21428-050-A84926C0/James-Craig-American-1980.jpg) [James Craig in action](https://cdn.britannica.com/28/21428-050-A84926C0/James-Craig-American-1980.jpg)1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team goalie James Craig making a save during the “Miracle on Ice” game. (more) [Ice hockey](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ice-hockey) is a game between two teams, usually of six players each, who wear skates and compete on an ice rink. The object is to [propel](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/propel) a puck past a goal line and into a net guarded by a goaltender. With its speed and frequent physical contact, ice hockey has become one of the most popular international [sports](https://www.britannica.com/sports/sports). Men’s ice hockey made its Olympic debut in [1920 in Antwerp, Belgium](https://www.britannica.com/event/Antwerp-1920-Olympic-Games), whereas women first competed in the sport in 1998 at Nagano, Japan. In the past, participating teams consisted mostly, if not completely, of amateur players. In 1995 an agreement between governing bodies and player associations allowed professional athletes to compete at the Olympics, and [National Hockey League](https://www.britannica.com/topic/National-Hockey-League) (NHL) players participated in the Olympics from 1998 through 2014. NHL players will return to the Olympics at the [2026 Milano Cortina Games](https://www.britannica.com/event/Milano-Cortina-2026-Olympic-Winter-Games). - [Martin Brodeur](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-Brodeur) (Canada) - [Jim Craig](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jim-Craig) (U.S.) - [Sidney Crosby](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sidney-Crosby) (Canada) - [Slava Fetisov](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Slava-Fetisov) (U.S.S.R.) - [Dominik Hašek](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dominik-Hasek) (Czech Republic) - [Jaromír Jágr](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jaromir-Jagr) (Czech Republic) - [Mario Lemieux](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mario-Lemieux) (Canada) - [Nicklas Lidström](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicklas-Lidstrom) (Sweden) - [Sarah Nurse](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sarah-Nurse) (Canada) - [Aleksandr Ovechkin](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alex-Ovechkin) (Russia) - [Manon Rhéaume](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Manon-Rheaume) (Canada) - [Jonathan Toews](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jonathan-Toews) (Canada) - [Vladislav Tretiak](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vladislav-Tretiak) (U.S.S.R.) - [Hayley Wickenheiser](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hayley-Wickenheiser) (Canada) - [Steve Yzerman](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Steve-Yzerman) (Canada) ## [Luge](https://www.britannica.com/sports/lugeing) [![Luge](https://cdn.britannica.com/90/193590-050-44DE8B6A/Natalie-Geisenberger-joy-women-Germany-luge-world-January-20-2016.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/90/193590-050-44DE8B6A/Natalie-Geisenberger-joy-women-Germany-luge-world-January-20-2016.jpg) [Luge](https://cdn.britannica.com/90/193590-050-44DE8B6A/Natalie-Geisenberger-joy-women-Germany-luge-world-January-20-2016.jpg)Germany's Natalie Geisenberger celebrating at a world championships race in Koenigssee, Germany, 2016. (more) [Luge](https://www.britannica.com/sports/lugeing) is a form of small-sled racing in which an athlete rides a luge (the French word for “sled”) while lying on their back and steering by subtle leg and shoulder movements. Dating to the 15th century, luge is a traditional winter sport in [Austria](https://www.britannica.com/place/Austria) and [Germany](https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany). Luge was included in the Olympic Winter Games for the first time in 1964. - [Georg Hackl](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Georg-Hackl) (Germany) - [Tatjana Hüfner](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tatjana-Hufner) (Germany) - [Thomas Köhler](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Kohler) (Germany and East Germany) - [Linger brothers](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Linger-brothers) (Austria) - [Sylke Otto](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sylke-Otto) (Germany) - [Armin Zöggeler](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Armin-Zoggeler) (Italy) ## [Nordic combined](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Nordic-combined) [Nordic combined](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Nordic-combined) is an event that combines the two [Nordic skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Nordic-skiing) events of cross-country skiing and [ski jumping](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ski-jumping). It was included in the first Winter Olympic program in 1924. - [Ulrich Wehling](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ulrich-Wehling) (East Germany) ## [Short-track speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/short-track-speed-skating) [![Viktor Ahn](https://cdn.britannica.com/53/222853-050-DF0AE05E/Viktor-Ahn-short-track-500m-final-Sochi-Winter-Olympics-February-21-2014.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/53/222853-050-DF0AE05E/Viktor-Ahn-short-track-500m-final-Sochi-Winter-Olympics-February-21-2014.jpg) [Viktor Ahn](https://cdn.britannica.com/53/222853-050-DF0AE05E/Viktor-Ahn-short-track-500m-final-Sochi-Winter-Olympics-February-21-2014.jpg)Speed skater Viktor Ahn competing in the short-track men's 500-meter event at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. (more) [Short-track speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/short-track-speed-skating) tests the speed, technical skating ability, and aggressiveness of its competitors. Unlike traditional long-track [speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/speed-skating), contestants race against each other instead of the clock, and they compete on a track that is 111 meters (364 feet) per lap. It made its Olympic debut at the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France. - [Viktor Ahn](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Viktor-Ahn) (South Korea and Russia) - [Apolo Anton Ohno](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Apolo-Anton-Ohno) (U.S.) - [Cathy Turner](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cathy-Turner) (U.S.) - [Yang Yang](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Yang-Yang) (China) ## [Skeleton sledding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/skeleton-sledding) [![Skeleton sledding](https://cdn.britannica.com/83/196783-050-69D52A75/Skeleton-sledding-2016-Winter-Youth-Olympics-Norway-2016.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/83/196783-050-69D52A75/Skeleton-sledding-2016-Winter-Youth-Olympics-Norway-2016.jpg) [Skeleton sledding](https://cdn.britannica.com/83/196783-050-69D52A75/Skeleton-sledding-2016-Winter-Youth-Olympics-Norway-2016.jpg)An athlete competing in skeleton sledding at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. (more) [Skeleton sledding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/skeleton-sledding) closely resembles lugeing except that athletes ride on their stomach in a headfirst position. It developed as a sport in the 1880s on the famed Cresta Run in [St. Mortiz](https://www.britannica.com/place/Saint-Moritz), [Switzerland](https://www.britannica.com/place/Switzerland). Skeleton sledding was included twice in the Olympic Winter Games, in [1928](https://www.britannica.com/event/St-Moritz-1928-Olympic-Winter-Games) and [1948](https://www.britannica.com/event/St-Moritz-1948-Olympic-Winter-Games), each time at St. Moritz, but it later fell into obscurity. After a revival in the late 20th century, skeleton sledding returned to the Winter Olympics in [2002](https://www.britannica.com/event/Salt-Lake-City-2002-Olympic-Winter-Games). - [Jim Shea, Jr.](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jim-Shea-Jr) (U.S.) - [Martins Dukurs](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martins-Dukurs) (Latvia) ## [Ski jumping](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ski-jumping) [![Simon Ammann](https://cdn.britannica.com/40/139940-050-19E6CF1F/Simon-Ammann-Switzerland-event-Federation-Internationale-de-2009.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/40/139940-050-19E6CF1F/Simon-Ammann-Switzerland-event-Federation-Internationale-de-2009.jpg) [Simon Ammann](https://cdn.britannica.com/40/139940-050-19E6CF1F/Simon-Ammann-Switzerland-event-Federation-Internationale-de-2009.jpg)Ski jumper Simon Ammann of Switzerland competing in a 2009 Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) World Cup event. (more) [Ski jumping](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ski-jumping) is a competitive skiing event in which contestants ski down a steep ramp that curves upward at the end, or takeoff point. Skiers leap from the end, trying to cover as much horizontal distance in the air as possible. Ski jumping has been included in the Winter Olympics since the 1924 Games in Chamonix, France. - [Simon Ammann](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Simon-Ammann) (Switzerland) - [Matti Nykänen](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Matti-Nykanen) (Finland) - [Birger Ruud](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Birger-Ruud) (Norway) ## [Ski mountaineering](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ski-mountaineering) [Ski mountaineering](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ski-mountaineering) is a newer sport that involves racing up a mountain, using both skis and boots, followed by a [descent](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/descent) on skis. It will make its Olympic debut at the 2026 Games. Ski mountaineering athletes expected to compete for medals include Oriol Cardona Coll of Spain and Axelle Gachet-Mollaret of France. ## [Snowboarding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/snowboarding) [![Chloe Kim](https://cdn.britannica.com/25/198725-050-EE5FAEE7/Chloe-Kim-American-jump-halfpipe-finals-women-2018.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/25/198725-050-EE5FAEE7/Chloe-Kim-American-jump-halfpipe-finals-women-2018.jpg) [Chloe Kim](https://cdn.britannica.com/25/198725-050-EE5FAEE7/Chloe-Kim-American-jump-halfpipe-finals-women-2018.jpg)American snowboarder Chloe Kim competing in the women's half-pipe finals at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. (more) [Snowboarding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/snowboarding) is a winter sport with roots in [skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/skiing), [surfing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/surfing), and [skateboarding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/skateboarding), in which the primary activity is riding down a snow-covered surface while standing on a snowboard with feet positioned roughly perpendicular to the board and its direction. The sport developed in the 1960s and ’70s, grew in popularity in the 1980s, and became an Olympic sport in 1998. - [Chloe Kim](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Chloe-Kim) (U.S.) - [Lindsey Jacobellis](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lindsey-Jacobellis) (U.S.) - [Shaun White](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Shaun-White) (U.S.) ## [Speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/speed-skating) [![Shani Davis](https://cdn.britannica.com/70/284770-050-1B56033C/Shani-Davis-2018-Olympics.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/70/284770-050-1B56033C/Shani-Davis-2018-Olympics.jpg) [Shani Davis](https://cdn.britannica.com/70/284770-050-1B56033C/Shani-Davis-2018-Olympics.jpg)American speed skater Shani Davis competing at the Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games, February 13, 2018. (more) [Speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/speed-skating) is the sport of racing on ice skates around a 400-meter- (1,312-foot-) long track in an ice rink. The competitors typically race two at a time on a two-lane track and race against the clock. It originated in the [Netherlands](https://www.britannica.com/place/Netherlands), possibly as early as the 13th century. Organized international competition developed in the late 19th century, and the sport was first included at the Winter Olympics in 1924. - [Hjallis Andersen](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hjalmar-Andersen) (Norway) - [Ivar Ballangrud](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ivar-Ballangrud) (Norway) - [Bonnie Blair](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bonnie-Blair) (U.S.) - [Shani Davis](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Shani-Davis) (U.S.) - [Karin Enke](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Karin-Enke) (East Germany) - [Yevgeny Grishin](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Yevgeny-Grishin) (U.S.S.R.) - [Eric Heiden](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eric-Heiden) (U.S.) - [Dianne Holum](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dianne-Holum) (U.S.) - [Clara Hughes](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clara-Hughes) (Canada) - [Irving Jaffee](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Irving-Jaffee) (U.S.) - [Daniel Jansen](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dan-Jansen) (U.S.) - [Knut Johannesen](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Knut-Johannesen) (Norway) - [Cindy Klassen](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cindy-Klassen) (Canada) - [Johann Olav Koss](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johann-Olav-Koss) (Norway) - [Sven Kramer](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sven-Kramer) (Netherlands) - [Christa Luding-Rothenburger](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Christa-Luding-Rothenburger) (East Germany) - [Terry McDermott](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Terry-McDermott) (U.S.) - [Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gunda-Niemann-Stirnemann) (Germany) - [Claudia Pechstein](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Claudia-Pechstein) (Germany) - [Ard Schenk](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ard-Schenk) (Netherlands) - [Jack Shea](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Shea) (U.S.) - [Lidiya Skoblikova](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lidiya-Skoblikova) (U.S.S.R.) - [Clas Thunberg](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clas-Thunberg) (Finland) - [Yvonne van Gennip](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Yvonne-van-Gennip) (Netherlands) - [Ireen Wüst](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ireen-Wust) (Netherlands) [Will Gosner](https://www.britannica.com/editor/will-gosner/9852049)
Readable Markdown	Athletes competing in the [Winter Olympics](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Winter-Olympic-Games) have wowed audiences with their amazing feats on ice and snow since the first full-fledged edition of the Winter Games, held in [1924 in Chamonix, France](https://www.britannica.com/event/Chamonix-1924-Olympic-Winter-Games). Below are select past and future Winter Olympic Games competitors and their countries of representation during their pursuit of Olympic glory. ## [Alpine skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Alpine-skiing) [Benjamin Raich](https://cdn.britannica.com/24/169924-050-1546D110/Benjamin-Raich-2010.jpg)Austrian skier Benjamin Raich racing in the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS; International Ski Federation) Alpine skiing World Cup slalom race, Val d'Isère, France, December 2010. [Alpine skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Alpine-skiing) evolved during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the mountainous [terrain](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/terrain) of the [Alps](https://www.britannica.com/place/Alps) in central [Europe](https://www.britannica.com/place/Europe). Modern Alpine competitive skiing is divided into speed events—[downhill skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/downhill-skiing) and the supergiant slalom, or super-G—and technical events—the [slalom](https://www.britannica.com/sports/slalom-skiing-race) and giant slalom. It made its Olympic debut at the [1936 Winter Games](https://www.britannica.com/event/Garmisch-Partenkirchen-1936-Olympic-Winter-Games) in [Garmisch-Partenkirchen](https://www.britannica.com/place/Garmisch-Partenkirchen), [Germany](https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany). ## [Biathlon](https://www.britannica.com/sports/biathlon) [The greatest biathlete](https://cdn.britannica.com/79/256879-050-82E501A6/Ole-Einar-Bjoerndalen-of-Norway-competes-during-the-Mens-4-x-75-km-Relay-during-day-15-of-the-Sochi-2014-Winter-Olympics.jpg)Ole Einar Bjørndalen competing in the men's 4 × 7.5-km relay at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia; the Norwegian team was later awarded the bronze medal in the event after the Russian team was disqualified because of doping violations. [Biathlon](https://www.britannica.com/sports/biathlon) is a winter sport [combining](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/combining) [cross-country skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/cross-country-skiing) and [rifle marksmanship](https://www.britannica.com/sports/shooting). It developed among the militaries of [Scandinavian](https://www.britannica.com/place/Scandinavia) countries, and the first recorded biathlon competition took place in 1767 along the [Norway](https://www.britannica.com/place/Norway)\-[Sweden](https://www.britannica.com/place/Sweden) border between military patrol companies. It was included at the first [Winter Games, held in Chamonix, France](https://www.britannica.com/event/Chamonix-1924-Olympic-Winter-Games), in 1924, under the name “military ski patrol” and became an official event known as the biathlon at the [1960 Games](https://www.britannica.com/event/1960-Olympic-Winter-Games), held in what is now [Olympic Valley](https://www.britannica.com/place/Olympic-Valley), [California](https://www.britannica.com/place/California-state). ## [Bobsledding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/bobsledding) [Steven Holcomb](https://cdn.britannica.com/31/164631-004-5AF42AF2/Steven-Holcomb-2010.jpg)The U.S. men's four-person bobsled team, led by Steven Holcomb (in front), celebrating winning a gold medal in the event at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. [Bobsledding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/bobsledding) involves sliding down an ice-covered natural or artificial incline on a four-runner sled, called a bobsled, bobsleigh, or bob, that carries from one to four persons. It developed in the 1880s, both in the lumbering towns of upstate [New York](https://www.britannica.com/place/New-York-state) and at the ski resorts of the Swiss [Alps](https://www.britannica.com/place/Alps). The sport has been part of the Olympics since the first Winter Games in 1924. ## [Cross-country skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/cross-country-skiing) [Cross-country skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/cross-country-skiing) entails skiing in open country over rolling, hilly terrain. It originated in Scandinavian countries as a means of travel as well as recreation and remains popular there. Athletes use longer, narrower skis and poles than those used in Alpine skiing events. Cross-country skiing has been a Winter Olympics sport since 1924. ## [Curling](https://www.britannica.com/sports/curling) [Curling](https://www.britannica.com/sports/curling) is a game similar to [lawn bowls](https://www.britannica.com/sports/bowls) but played on ice. Typically, two teams of four players participate in a curling match. Each player slides round stones across the ice toward a fixed mark in the center of a circle. The object of the game is for each side to get its stones closest to the center. Curling is associated especially with [Scotland](https://www.britannica.com/place/Scotland), where it dates to the early 16th century, and is popular in [Canada](https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada). It was included in the program of the inaugural Winter Games in Chamonix but did not return as a medal sport until the [1998 Games in Nagano, Japan](https://www.britannica.com/event/Nagano-1998-Olympic-Winter-Games). Being a [niche](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/niche) team sport, individual athletes aren’t well known, but a number of athletes have made their mark at the Olympics. Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris of Canada and Anette Norberg, Eva Lund, Cathrine Lindahl, and Anna Le Moine of Sweden have each won two gold medals. ## [Figure skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/figure-skating) [Peggy Fleming](https://cdn.britannica.com/24/257424-050-CAEB8BCA/American-figure-skater-Peggy-Fleming-practices-outside-rink-February-1968-in-Grenoble-France-French-Alps.jpg)American figure skater Peggy Fleming practicing on an outdoor rink in Grenoble, France, during the 1968 Winter Olympic Games. She won a gold medal at the Games. Among the most popular Winter Olympics [disciplines](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disciplines), [figure skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/figure-skating) is a sport in which ice skaters, individually or in pairs, perform freestyle movements of jumps, spins, lifts, and footwork in a graceful manner. There are various kinds of figure skating, including freestyle, pairs, ice dance, and synchronized team skating. Figure skating was first included at the Games in [London in 1908](https://www.britannica.com/event/London-1908-Olympic-Games), and ice dance was added in [1976](https://www.britannica.com/event/Innsbruck-1976-Olympic-Winter-Games). Go beyond the basics with trusted, in-depth knowledge for professionals, students, and lifelong learners. [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=basics-2026) ![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-left.webp) ![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-right.webp) ![Mobile](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-mobile.webp?w=400) document.querySelectorAll('.marketing-INLINE\_SUBSCRIPTION').forEach(el =\> { el.style.containerType = 'inline-size'; }); ## [Freestyle skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/freestyle-skiing) [Aiko Uemura](https://cdn.britannica.com/73/116573-050-F05269D3/Aiko-Uemura-event-Freestyle-Skiing-Womens-Moguls-March-7-2008.jpg)Japanese skier Aiko Uemura competing in the freestyle skiing women's moguls World Cup event in Åre, Sweden, March 7, 2008. [Freestyle skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/freestyle-skiing) is a winter sport that [combines](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/combines) skiing and acrobatics. Mogul skiing debuted at the [1992 Games in Albertville, France](https://www.britannica.com/event/Albertville-1992-Olympic-Winter-Games), and aerials events were added to the [1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway](https://www.britannica.com/event/Lillehammer-1994-Olympic-Winter-Games). Ski halfpipe and slopestyle (wherein skiers race down a course laden with jumps and rails, off of which they do tricks that are judged for points) were added to the schedule for the [2014 Sochi Winter Games](https://www.britannica.com/event/Sochi-2014-Olympic-Winter-Games). Notable freestyle skiers in Olympic history include Mikaël Kingsbury, a Canadian mogul specialist with one gold and two silver medals, and [Eileen Gu](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eileen-Gu), an American-born athlete who competed for China in [Beijing in 2022](https://www.britannica.com/event/Beijing-2022-Olympic-Winter-Games) and became the first freestyle skier to win three medals at a single Games. ## [Ice hockey](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ice-hockey) [James Craig in action](https://cdn.britannica.com/28/21428-050-A84926C0/James-Craig-American-1980.jpg)1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team goalie James Craig making a save during the “Miracle on Ice” game. [Ice hockey](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ice-hockey) is a game between two teams, usually of six players each, who wear skates and compete on an ice rink. The object is to [propel](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/propel) a puck past a goal line and into a net guarded by a goaltender. With its speed and frequent physical contact, ice hockey has become one of the most popular international [sports](https://www.britannica.com/sports/sports). Men’s ice hockey made its Olympic debut in [1920 in Antwerp, Belgium](https://www.britannica.com/event/Antwerp-1920-Olympic-Games), whereas women first competed in the sport in 1998 at Nagano, Japan. In the past, participating teams consisted mostly, if not completely, of amateur players. In 1995 an agreement between governing bodies and player associations allowed professional athletes to compete at the Olympics, and [National Hockey League](https://www.britannica.com/topic/National-Hockey-League) (NHL) players participated in the Olympics from 1998 through 2014. NHL players will return to the Olympics at the [2026 Milano Cortina Games](https://www.britannica.com/event/Milano-Cortina-2026-Olympic-Winter-Games). ## [Luge](https://www.britannica.com/sports/lugeing) [Luge](https://cdn.britannica.com/90/193590-050-44DE8B6A/Natalie-Geisenberger-joy-women-Germany-luge-world-January-20-2016.jpg)Germany's Natalie Geisenberger celebrating at a world championships race in Koenigssee, Germany, 2016. [Luge](https://www.britannica.com/sports/lugeing) is a form of small-sled racing in which an athlete rides a luge (the French word for “sled”) while lying on their back and steering by subtle leg and shoulder movements. Dating to the 15th century, luge is a traditional winter sport in [Austria](https://www.britannica.com/place/Austria) and [Germany](https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany). Luge was included in the Olympic Winter Games for the first time in 1964. ## [Nordic combined](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Nordic-combined) [Nordic combined](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Nordic-combined) is an event that combines the two [Nordic skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Nordic-skiing) events of cross-country skiing and [ski jumping](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ski-jumping). It was included in the first Winter Olympic program in 1924. ## [Short-track speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/short-track-speed-skating) [Viktor Ahn](https://cdn.britannica.com/53/222853-050-DF0AE05E/Viktor-Ahn-short-track-500m-final-Sochi-Winter-Olympics-February-21-2014.jpg)Speed skater Viktor Ahn competing in the short-track men's 500-meter event at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. [Short-track speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/short-track-speed-skating) tests the speed, technical skating ability, and aggressiveness of its competitors. Unlike traditional long-track [speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/speed-skating), contestants race against each other instead of the clock, and they compete on a track that is 111 meters (364 feet) per lap. It made its Olympic debut at the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France. ## [Skeleton sledding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/skeleton-sledding) [Skeleton sledding](https://cdn.britannica.com/83/196783-050-69D52A75/Skeleton-sledding-2016-Winter-Youth-Olympics-Norway-2016.jpg)An athlete competing in skeleton sledding at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. [Skeleton sledding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/skeleton-sledding) closely resembles lugeing except that athletes ride on their stomach in a headfirst position. It developed as a sport in the 1880s on the famed Cresta Run in [St. Mortiz](https://www.britannica.com/place/Saint-Moritz), [Switzerland](https://www.britannica.com/place/Switzerland). Skeleton sledding was included twice in the Olympic Winter Games, in [1928](https://www.britannica.com/event/St-Moritz-1928-Olympic-Winter-Games) and [1948](https://www.britannica.com/event/St-Moritz-1948-Olympic-Winter-Games), each time at St. Moritz, but it later fell into obscurity. After a revival in the late 20th century, skeleton sledding returned to the Winter Olympics in [2002](https://www.britannica.com/event/Salt-Lake-City-2002-Olympic-Winter-Games). ## [Ski jumping](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ski-jumping) [Simon Ammann](https://cdn.britannica.com/40/139940-050-19E6CF1F/Simon-Ammann-Switzerland-event-Federation-Internationale-de-2009.jpg)Ski jumper Simon Ammann of Switzerland competing in a 2009 Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) World Cup event. [Ski jumping](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ski-jumping) is a competitive skiing event in which contestants ski down a steep ramp that curves upward at the end, or takeoff point. Skiers leap from the end, trying to cover as much horizontal distance in the air as possible. Ski jumping has been included in the Winter Olympics since the 1924 Games in Chamonix, France. ## [Ski mountaineering](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ski-mountaineering) [Ski mountaineering](https://www.britannica.com/sports/ski-mountaineering) is a newer sport that involves racing up a mountain, using both skis and boots, followed by a [descent](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/descent) on skis. It will make its Olympic debut at the 2026 Games. Ski mountaineering athletes expected to compete for medals include Oriol Cardona Coll of Spain and Axelle Gachet-Mollaret of France. ## [Snowboarding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/snowboarding) [Chloe Kim](https://cdn.britannica.com/25/198725-050-EE5FAEE7/Chloe-Kim-American-jump-halfpipe-finals-women-2018.jpg)American snowboarder Chloe Kim competing in the women's half-pipe finals at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. [Snowboarding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/snowboarding) is a winter sport with roots in [skiing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/skiing), [surfing](https://www.britannica.com/sports/surfing), and [skateboarding](https://www.britannica.com/sports/skateboarding), in which the primary activity is riding down a snow-covered surface while standing on a snowboard with feet positioned roughly perpendicular to the board and its direction. The sport developed in the 1960s and ’70s, grew in popularity in the 1980s, and became an Olympic sport in 1998. ## [Speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/speed-skating) [Shani Davis](https://cdn.britannica.com/70/284770-050-1B56033C/Shani-Davis-2018-Olympics.jpg)American speed skater Shani Davis competing at the Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games, February 13, 2018. [Speed skating](https://www.britannica.com/sports/speed-skating) is the sport of racing on ice skates around a 400-meter- (1,312-foot-) long track in an ice rink. The competitors typically race two at a time on a two-lane track and race against the clock. It originated in the [Netherlands](https://www.britannica.com/place/Netherlands), possibly as early as the 13th century. Organized international competition developed in the late 19th century, and the sport was first included at the Winter Olympics in 1924.
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Language	en
Author	Will Gosner
Publish Time	2026-02-18 00:00:00 (2 months ago)
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