Nearly 3,000 athletes will be competing at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Here are 25 athletes that we will be keeping a close eye on when the Games start in February. Many of these athletes have previously starred at the Olympics, while others are making their Olympic debut.
Highlighted Athletes
Ester Ledecká (Czech Republic)
Ester Ledecká became the first athlete in history to compete in both snowboarding and alpine skiing at the same Olympics, winning gold in both. At 26, Ledecká seeks to make history in her third Olympics.
Erin Jackson (United States)
Erin Jackson, the world’s top-ranked speedskater in the 500 meters, received a second chance at qualifying for the Olympics, and she is now poised to compete after a kind gesture from Brittany Bowe.
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (Norway)
Klæbo, who dominated cross-country skiing during his debut in 2018 by winning three golds, aims to continue Norway’s rich heritage in this sport.
Yuzuru Hanyu (Japan)
Yuzuru Hanyu, a legendary figure skater, seeks his third consecutive Olympic gold in singles, presenting a compelling narrative of excellence and historical significance.
Chloe Kim (United States)
After winning gold at the age of 17, Chloe Kim heads into the Olympics favored to defend her title, having achieved dominant victories at the last two World Championships.
Mikaela Shiffrin (United States)
With two Olympic golds and numerous World Cup victories, Mikaela Shiffrin remains a fierce contender, aiming for more medals in her upcoming Olympic appearance.
Ryōyū Kobayashi (Japan)
After recent successes in ski jumping, Kobayashi shows great promise as strong competition arises in the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics.
Arianna Fontana (Italy)
Holding the record for the most Olympic medals among short-track speedskaters, Arianna Fontana’s continued success in the 500 meters keeps her in the spotlight.
Johannes Thingnes Boe (Norway)
Boe, a reigning champion in the biathlon, is a favorite for the Olympics with impressive records and multiple medals under his belt.
Wu Dajing (China)
As China’s only gold medal winner from 2018 in short track, Wu returns with the expectation of defending his title.
Natalie Geisenberger (Germany)
A remarkable athlete, Geisenberger holds the title as the most decorated female luger in Olympic history, enhancing her status as a favorite for future successes.
Nathan Chen (United States)
With a high expectation for athletic prowess, Nathan Chen aims to secure gold and dethrone Yuzuru Hanyu’s impressive reign.
Anna Hasselborg (Sweden)
As the skip of the 2018 curling gold medal team, Hasselborg returns aiming to continue Sweden’s successful legacy in women’s curling.
Kamila Valieva (Russian Olympic Committee)
Despite her young age of 15, Valieva stands out as a major contender in women’s figure skating, showcasing remarkable skills and world records.
Alexis Pinturault (France)
After success in numerous skiing competitions, Pinturault targets his first Olympic gold to complement his silver from 2018.
Ireen Wüst (Netherlands)
Wüst, a speedskating phenomenon with 11 Olympic medals, looks to widen her margins of success in the sport she has dominated for over a decade.
Sui Wenjing and Han Cong (China)
This dynamic duo missed out on gold in 2018 and are determined to reclaim their status as world champions in figure skating.
Lindsey Jacobellis (United States)
Having competed in four previous Olympics, Jacobellis is still on the quest for Olympic gold in snowboard cross after narrowly missing it in 2006.
Francesco Friedrich (Germany)
After clinching dual Olympic golds in 2018, Friedrich’s exceptional bobsledding talents make him a strong competitor in the upcoming games.
Timothy LeDuc (United States)
LeDuc will make history as the first openly nonbinary athlete at a Winter Olympics, competing in pairs figure skating and challenging traditional gender norms.
Martins Dukurs (Latvia)
Dukurs has consistently dominated the skeleton scene but is still seeking his first Olympic gold. His previous silvers are a testament to his competitive prowess.
Marie-Philip Poulin (Canada)
Known as “Captain Clutch,” Poulin has proven her skills time and again, leading Canada’s women’s hockey team with hopes of securing another gold.
Shaun White (United States)
A legendary figure in snowboarding history, White is expected to make a final Olympic appearance and chase a fourth gold amid fierce competition.
