Ben Ogden Wins Silver at 2026 Winter Olympics

American athlete Ben Ogden has secured a silver medal for Team USA in the men’s cross-country ski sprint classic at the 2026 Winter Olympics, clocking in at 3:40.61. He finished just behind Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who won with a time of 3:39.74, while another Norwegian, Oskar Opstad Wike, came in third with a time of 3:46.55.

It’s interesting to note that traditionally, countries like Norway, Sweden, and Finland dominate this sport. Ogden’s achievement marks a significant milestone—it’s the first time an American male has earned a medal in this event since Bill Koch did so back in 1976.

In the quarter-finals, Ogden performed impressively, winning his race against competitors from Sweden, Italy, and Finland. His teammate, JC Schoonmaker, also aimed to advance but fell short in the semi-finals.

Ogden isn’t a stranger to medals; he and his team previously earned silver at the 2018 Junior World Ski Championships in Switzerland, marking a historic first for the U.S. in that competition. He made his Olympic debut at the 2022 Beijing Games, where he finished 12th. Now, just four years later, he can proudly call himself an Olympic medalist.

Norway’s Klæbo, who is no stranger to success, has claimed gold at the past three Olympic Games. It’s quite a feat, really—and Ogden’s rise in the sport adds an exciting twist to the ongoing narrative of U.S. cross-country skiing.