Although the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics did not contain the most Virginian representation numerically, the strongest competitors from Virginia showed their skills throughout the event. Representing the United States of America, meet Virginia’s historical Olympic athletes, their Olympic sports, and bios.
Ilia Malinin – Figure Skating 
Ilia Malinin, born in Fairfax Virginia and raised in the Vienna area, has made headlines due to his many historical achievements in men’s singles figure skating. Currently, he holds the record for being the only person to have landed the quadruple axel, and is additionally the only male to attempt seven quad jumps in a program. His parents, Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov, were also Olympic figure skaters during the Nagano 1998 and Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics. Illia’s parents began coaching him at age 6, where he shined bright on the ice and began building a reputation for himself through his earned medals at both the national and international levels. Prior to the 2026 winter Olympics, Illia named himself the “Quad God,” seen on his social media handles and branding. Figure skating legends’ opinions and his impressive record prove that he is altering the standards for his sport. He continues to train in the Vienna area, bringing forth incredible representation for Virginia.
Brandon Kim – Speed Skating
Growing up in Fairfax Virgina, twenty four year old Brandon Kim began his speed skating career at age 9 after being inspired by watching short track, during the Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010. The 2026 Winter Olympics will be his first Olympics after breaking a thirteen year old record at the 2026 U.S. Championships after racing the men’s 500-meter in 39.83 seconds. When he’s not training, he is attending Stanford University studying Orthopedics or Neurosurgery. Brandon Kim is breaking Olympic sport stereotypes of having to be born into a sport to be successful and setting an example of continuing to study at a high level with the pressure of the Olympics.
Evan Nichols – Sled Hockey
Even Nichols was the youngest Sled Hockey player at the Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, winning gold in the team event. At only twenty one years old he attended his second Paralympic Winter games this year. Born and raised in Haymarket Virgina, Evan was born with a condition that impacted his knee and ankle joints, called Arthrogryposis and was later diagnosed with Bilateral Perthes, impacting his hip joints. Evan had always been involved in sports. Although his passion never faded, the adversity faced with having to relearn how to walk 7 times in his life impacted his ability to do the sports he loved. This barrier remained until Sled Hockey came into his life. Evan’s story is a lesson in itself for all athletes to never let passion dwindle.
Mystique Ro – Skeleton
Born in Nokesville, Virginia and growing up in Northern Virginia, Mystique Ro made history at the world cup by becoming the first American athlete to win a skeleton race in eight years. Additionally, Ro made history for America during the 2025 FIL World Championships by winning a world medal in sport in 12 years, gaining a silver medal in women’s skeleton. When Ro isn’t practicing her Skeleton skills, she is spending time with her beagle mix. She calls herself an avid animal lover and has dreams of opening her very own animal sanctuary to spread her passion for animal wellbeing. The 2026 Winter Olympic Games were her first Olympics where she placed 7th in the team event and fifteenth in her individual women’s event. Ro puts her entire heart into all that she does, whether it’s for a good cause or the love of her sport.
