The 2026 Winter Olympic Games are currently underway in Milan, Italy. During this year’s Olympic Games Texas will be proudly represented. More than half a dozen athletes with strong Texas ties are competing across multiple disciplines, from figure skating and ice hockey to bobsled and skeleton. While Texas may be better known for Friday night lights and springtime track meets, these Olympians show that grit, power, and elite athleticism translate just as well to ice and snow.
From Plano to the Podium
Plano native Amber Glenn, 26, enters the Games as one of the top American women in figure skating. A three-time U.S. national champion and the reigning Grand Prix Final champion, Glenn has built her reputation on technical difficulty and consistency at the international level. Her Olympic appearance marks the culmination of years of elite competition and places a North Texas skater firmly among the world’s best.
In pairs figure skating, Emily Chan, 28, brings another Texas connection to the ice. Born in Houston and a former McKinney high school student, Chan represents the depth of experience often required in pairs skating, a discipline where precision, timing, and trust are paramount. Her journey from Texas rinks to the Olympic stage reflects the growing reach of the sport beyond traditional cold-weather regions.
Power and Speed on the Track
Texas strength is also on display in bobsled, where explosive speed can decide races by hundredths of a second. Midland native Boone Niederhofer, a former walk-on wide receiver at Texas A&M, competes as part of one of the U.S. four-man bobsled teams. His transition from college football to elite winter sport highlights the crossover athleticism that has become increasingly common in bobsled competition.
Joining him on the ice track is Hunter Powell, 29, a former track and field athlete at Baylor and Colorado State. Powell is a member of the other U.S. four-man bobsled team, bringing sprint speed and power to the critical start phase of the race—often the difference between standing on the podium and watching from the sidelines.
Lone Star Roots in Olympic Hockey
Texas hockey fans have plenty to cheer for as well. Coppell native Hannah Bilka suits up as a forward for the U.S. women’s hockey team, a perennial medal contender. Her rise through nontraditional hockey markets underscores the sport’s growth in the South and the increasing presence of Texas-born talent at the highest levels.
On the men’s side, Arlington native Seth Jones anchors the U.S. blue line as a veteran defenseman. With NHL players returning to Olympic competition in 2026, Jones’ experience and leadership make him a key figure for Team USA—and another reminder that elite hockey roots can begin far from frozen ponds.
Representing Texas—and Beyond
Former University of North Texas track athlete Kellie Delka adds another Texas connection to the Games while competing in skeleton for Puerto Rico. Skeleton, one of the most demanding and high-speed winter sports, relies heavily on sprint mechanics and fearless precision—skills Delka honed during her collegiate career in Denton.
Together, these athletes represent the diversity of Texas sports culture and the state’s growing impact on winter athletics. From suburban ice rinks and college tracks to Olympic sled runs and international hockey arenas, Texas competitors are proving that heart, hard work, and high performance know no climate limits.
As the world watches Milan, Texans can watch with pride—because the Lone Star State is shining on the snow.
