The Olympics showcase athletes whose pathways to fame can be quite unexpected. In both summer and winter events, there are numerous athletes transforming from relative unknowns to international icons. Think of Chloe Kim from a few years back or Apolo Ohno in 2002. Some who are competing in Milan in 2026 might even find themselves becoming household names after the games wrap up.
In the upcoming games, there are a few standout athletes worth watching.
1st place: Irene Gu (freestyle skiing, China)
Irene Gu’s choice to represent China has stirred quite a debate. The San Francisco native clinched gold in ski halfpipe and big air events, plus silver in slopestyle at the 2022 Beijing Games.
Originally part of the U.S. national team, Gu switched allegiance in 2019, aiming to inspire more young athletes in China to pick up skiing. However, controversy erupted in early 2025 when it was revealed that China invested over $6 million in her training and that of fellow American-born Zhu Yi before her team change.
Although Gu is seen as a frontrunner for gold, her national switch ensures her name will be widely recognized.
2nd place: Joy Dunn (ice hockey, USA)
Twenty-year-old Joy Dunn is poised to emerge as a key player for U.S. women’s hockey in Milan. This season, she has participated in 24 games for Ohio State, scoring 44 points, which includes 25 goals. Her impressive forechecking and finishing skills stand out among other players.
Dunn has been generating buzz in the hockey community. Depending on her playing time with Team USA, which is a favorite for the gold, the Milan Games might be her chance to gain fame beyond just hockey.
3rd place: Su Yiming (Snowboarding – China)
In America, snowboarding has always drawn significant attention, and China’s Su Yiming is a standout in big air events. He claimed gold in the 1800 spin at the 2022 Games and is noteworthy for completing a 198-degree spin during competition, a feat yet to be replicated.
With the potential for groundbreaking performances, Su’s continued athleticism could elevate his stature significantly in the sport.
4th place: Matt Weston (Skeleton — UK)
Skeleton is often regarded as one of the most extreme sports, and in it, Matt Weston has excelled. After a disappointing 15th place finish in Beijing, he rebounded to dominate the sport. He won the world championship titles in 2023 and 2025, and secured second place in 2024, showcasing his consistent performance over three years.
5th place: Oriol Cardona (Ski mountaineering — Spain)
This year marks the debut of ski mountaineering as an Olympic sport, and it’s definitely set to grab attention. Oriol Cardona from Spain is favored to win; he excels in both ski mountaineering and skyrunning, which is a high-altitude endurance race.
Competing in this challenging event will be no small feat, and defeating Cardona, who has taken gold in the last three world championships, will require remarkable skill.
