Puerto Rico’s Winter Olympics Hopeful

Puerto Rico is sending one athlete to the upcoming Winter Olympics in 2026.

Kelly DeLuca is ready for the challenge.

DeLuca will represent Puerto Rico at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, marking her second appearance at the Winter Games. She’s a skeleton slider, having finished 24th in Beijing and also 24th at the 2025 World Championships in Lake Placid.

Recently, she showcased a custom suit to honor Puerto Rico while training in Milan-Cortina for a skeleton competition.

DeLuca’s journey to the Olympics is quite unique. Born in Texas, she attended the University of North Texas where she excelled in track and cheerleading. After college, however, she made the move to Puerto Rico to pursue winter sports.

“My path to becoming an Olympian wasn’t the most traditional. As a kid, I was involved in track and field and cheerleading at the University of North Texas. While I found success in those areas, I always yearned for something more intense, something that would really challenge me,” DeLuca reflects on her official website. “Skeleton has provided that for me. It’s not just a sport; it’s my passion, my purpose, and a testament to the power of committing to your dreams.”

“I am so proud to represent Puerto Rico on this global stage. I live here, train here, and carry the vibrant spirit of the island with me every time I compete. Competing in the Olympics is a dream realized. Now, I’m focused on an even bigger goal: qualifying for my second Olympic Games and bringing home Puerto Rico’s first medal at the Winter Olympics. This journey is filled with challenges, sacrifices, and victories, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she adds.

DeLuca faced some criticism for choosing to represent Puerto Rico instead of the United States. She addressed her decision ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics on social media:

“I live in Puerto Rico,” she states. “I train full-time here… It can be confusing sometimes. It’s disheartening when people don’t accept my decision, as I feel I am training in the most authentic way.”

The next milestone in her journey is the upcoming official Skeleton Contest later this week.