LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) – The anticipation surrounding the unveiling of USA Bobsled and Skeleton's Olympic rosters hints at a significant milestone in diversity for the Federation. As the countdown to the Milan Cortina Winter Games approaches, it is expected that either eight or nine women will represent the U.S. on the ice, with many being women of color.

This forthcoming team may establish a new benchmark for diversity in U.S. Olympic history. The 2018 Winter Olympics roster featured 21 athletes of Black or Asian descent, making up about 8% of the total competitors. There is optimism that the 2026 team may surpass this figure. While substantial advancement has been made, athletes recognize the opportunity for continued progress in terms of representation.

U.S. skeleton athlete Mystique Ro, a woman of Black and Korean heritage, expressed pride in this increasing diversity, stating, “The train has left the station. We’re going. And it’s such a surreal feeling. We’re really making history out here, and it’s not slowing down at all.”

While countries like Jamaica have athletes competing in non-traditional winter sports, the majority of elite teams from Europe and the United States remain predominantly white. However, several top American medal contenders for the upcoming Olympics are Black women, a trend particularly notable in bobsledding.

Elana Meyers Taylor, a five-time Olympic medalist, holds the distinction of being the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Games history. Kaysha Love currently stands as the reigning world champion in monobob and is the first Black woman to attain this title. Moreover, Erin Jackson made history in 2022 as the first Black woman to win Olympic gold in an individual winter sport and is set to compete again in 2026. Laila Edwards, a promising member of the U.S. women's hockey team, will become the first Black woman to represent the American squad on the Olympic stage.

Edwards emphasized the importance of this representation, stating, “It’s a really big deal. Representation matters. In terms of processing it, I think I’m just trying to use it as something that motivates me to be the best role model and person I can be.”

Yet, challenges remain. The landscape of winter sports continues to offer limited opportunities for athletes of color. According to the National Ski Areas Association, only about 1% of visitors to U.S. ski resorts identify as Black, largely due to the costs and remote locations associated with winter sports. At the most recent Winter Games in Beijing, the overwhelming majority of the approximately 2,900 participants identified as white, although the legacy of countries like Ghana and Nigeria participating in these events continues to resonate.

Adanna Johnson, a young bobsledder who competed for Jamaica at the world championships at the age of 17, remarked, “The sport is growing. There are more opportunities.”

Ro emphasized the need for continued growth outside of the Olympic spotlight, stating, “There’s a lot more diversity. But seeing us without the helmet, seeing the roster, seeing the names, it’s just really important how we present it to the people so it’s not just at the Olympics. It has to be every year because we compete every year.”

Historically, many national team athletes have transitioned to bobsledding from other sports, particularly track and field, which share a reliance on speed and power. Vonetta Flowers made history as the first Black woman to win a bobsled medal for the United States in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, and women of color have increasingly made their presence felt on the medal podium since then.

Meyers Taylor, who excelled in softball in college, draws inspiration from Flowers. Likewise, Love, who was a standout sprinter in high school, also finds motivation in her predecessor's achievements. Love initially believed her Olympic journey would be in gymnastics but now embraces her role as a trailblazer in bobsledding.

“Growing up, I was really only excited about summer sports because that’s where I saw me,” Love reflected. “So, to know that now I get to be that representation along with my other teammates who have worked so hard to be a part of this … that change is inspiring.”

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

By Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press