The road to the 2026 Winter Olympics has officially narrowed to a single lane for eight American athletes. US Speedskating has announced the roster of short track speed skaters who will represent Team USA in Milan, blending a core of battle-tested veterans with a surge of collegiate talent.
The squad was selected entirely based on World Tour results rather than a traditional Olympic Trials event, a shift that rewarded consistency on the international stage. The result is a team that looks significantly stronger than the group that left Beijing empty-handed four years ago.
Santos-Griswold and Stoddard Establish Short Track Dominance
Leading the charge is Kristen Santos-Griswold, who has arguably become the face of the program. After a heartbreaking fourth-place finish in 2022 caused by a collision, the 31-year-old Fairfield, Connecticut native considered retirement. Instead, she returned to have a historic season, becoming only the third American to win the Crystal Globe.
“To come out on top is really special,” Santos-Griswold said regarding her overall title. “It’s been a mentally challenging year, physically challenging year. I’m really excited to go into next season with No. 1 on my helmet.”
She isn’t alone at the top. Corinne Stoddard, a 24-year-old from Tacoma, Washington, finished the season ranked third in the Crystal Globe standings. The dynamic between the two skaters has become a defining feature of the women’s team, pushing both to new heights.
“Corie’s one of my best friends and one of my biggest competitors and someone that pushes me every day at practice,” Santos-Griswold noted.
Men’s Team Breaks Through
On the men’s side, Andrew Heo provided a massive spark for the American short track program. The 24-year-old shattered an 11-year drought for U.S. men by winning an individual World Tour gold medal in the 500m event in Dordrecht.
“It’s my first medal, and for it to be Gold is amazing, and it’s good momentum going into the Games,” Heo said. “They’re stepping stones, lots of little wins, and this is a big win.”
Heo noted a shift in his mental approach as a key factor in his recent success. “I’ve been trying to find a love for the sport, to find the joy in it,” he explained. “It had felt like a chore. For the past years, I’ve found the love for the journey, not the results.”
Joining Heo are Brandon Kim, a Stanford University student making his Olympic debut, and Clayton DeClemente, who has established himself as the top American in the 1000m distance.
A Mix of Youth and Experience
The roster includes five returning Olympians and three first-timers. The depth of the women’s team was further solidified by Julie Letai and Eunice Lee, both of whom played critical roles in relay events despite juggling rigorous university schedules. Kamryn Lute, the youngest member of the squad at 21, rounds out the team after earning her first World Tour relay medals this season.
With the finalized roster, the team now looks toward February 2026, aiming to put the United States back on the Olympic podium for the first time since 2018.
2026 U.S. Olympic Short Track Team Qualifiers
- Corinne Stoddard (24, Tacoma, WA)
- Kristen Santos-Griswold (31, Fairfield, CT)
- Julie Letai (25, Medfield, MA)
- Kamryn Lute (21, New York, NY)
- Eunice Lee (21, Tacoma, WA)
- Andrew Heo (24, Warrington, PA)
- Brandon Kim (24, Fairfax, VA)
- Clayton DeClemente (26, Poughkeepsie, NY)
The Difference Between Short Track and Long Track
While both sports involve racing on ice, the strategies and venues differ significantly.
- Short Track: Races take place on a smaller, 111.12-meter oval. It is a head-to-head format with mass starts, often described as chaotic. Skaters race against each other rather than the clock, requiring aggressive passing strategies and protective helmets.
- Long Track: This discipline takes place on a 400-meter oval. It functions as a disciplined time trial where skaters race in separate lanes against the clock. The focus is on aerodynamics and maximizing power using specialized “clap” blades.
