The 2026 Winter Olympics arrived in Italy, unfolding during Black History Month and putting a spotlight on a stage where Black athletes have historically been underrepresented. Unlike the Summer Games, the Winter Olympics have long reflected limited Black participation, but this year marks a meaningful shift.
Seven Black Women are competing across winter sports in 2026, marking a powerful moment for visibility and representation. Their presence not only challenges long-standing norms within winter athletics but also introduces American audiences to sports that rarely receive mainstream attention.
A New Era for USA Women’s Hockey
The Cleveland Heights, Ohio, native Laila Edwards recently made history by becoming the first Black woman to compete in an Olympic ice hockey tournament. Edwards scored her first point against Czechia at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina in a 5-1 win.
Carrying the title of the first Black woman to compete in this event brings both responsibility and purpose. Edwards understands her role as a trailblazer and recognizes how her presence can reshape women’s sports and inspire young girls who look like her. By stepping into this space, she hopes to keep the momentum moving forward and show the next generation that progress doesn’t have to slow or stop with her.
In an interview with the Olympics, Edwards stated, “I take a lot of pride in it, and I’m just going to embrace it, because representation matters.” Edwards then added, “No matter how uncomfortable it can be, it’s for the next generation.”
Giving a voice to underrepresented communities and uplifting the stories of pioneers who came before her sits at the core of Edwards’ off-ice brand. She uses her platform with intention, recognizing that visibility extends beyond competition and into storytelling, advocacy, and representation. Edwards positions herself as a cultural force committed to creating space for the next generation.
Trailblazer for the Culture
Another well-known pioneer for Black women in the Winter Olympics is Erin Jackson. She made her Olympic debut at the 2022 Winter Beijing Games in speed skating, entering a sport that was largely new to her. Jackson came from a roller derby background, and that experience gave her a unique edge as she transitioned into speed skating, allowing her to quickly excel in an area she had only recently discovered.
Although Jackson was new to the sport in 2022, she still won the gold medal and made history as the first Black woman to win an individual gold at the Olympic Winter Games. This milestone made one of the most recognized athletes on Team USA.
Can Olympic Speed Skater Erin Jackson Make History in Italy?
This year at the Winter Games, she returns to defend her gold medal in the 500m event. She knows many will be watching her closely as she becomes a success symbol for her culture. Jackson has never been afraid of pressure. In fact, she thrives on the energy it brings, using it to boost her performance.
When being interviewed by the Olympics earlier this year, Jackson said entering the Games as the defending champion brings added pressure, but she welcomes it. The expectation, she explained, pushes her beyond her normally laid-back approach and helps ignite a sharper competitive edge.
Notable Black Women Competing at This Year’s Winter Games
Elana Meyers Taylor – Bobsled
Elana Meyers Taylor will be making her fifth appearance in the Winter Games this year. Taylor is already a five-time medalist, which is more than any other Black athlete in Winter Olympic history.
Mystique Ro – Skeleton
Mystique Ro, who is from Nokeville, Virginia, will make her Olympic debut in 2026. She earned gold at the 2024 Pan American Games and silver at the World Championships. Ro is African American and Korean, also she graduated from Queens University of Charlottle.
Jasmine Jones – Bobsled
Jasmine Jones from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, studied at Eastern Michigan University while competing in track before transitioning to two-woman bobsled. Jones is also a senior airman in the U.S Air Force.
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