Thereโs something special about the Olympics. The pageantry, competition, and sheer determination of elite athletes representing their country on a global stage is truly an impressive spectacle.ย This year, at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, there are 2,871 athletes competing in 109 different events across seven different sports. Gear up for the games by following these Winter Olympians.
12 Winter Olympians to follow on Instagram
Mikaela Shiffrin
Alpine skiing, U.S.
Mikaela is a legend on the slopes. She was the youngest slalom champion in Olympic alpine skiing history when she took the gold in Sochi. Now, she has three Olympic medals, three world titles, and six world championship golds. Her 1 million Instagram followers have seen her prep for the event and are ready to see what she can do in Beijing.
Johannes Thingnes Boe
Biathlon, Norway
The biathlon is a family event for Johannes Thingnes Bo, whose older brother, Trajei Boe, also competes in the sport. Known for his speed on skis, Johannes has trained in the off-season to shave time, and heโs worked on his shooting, too.ย
Kaillie Humphries
Bobsled, U.S.
A two-time Olympic bobsled champion, Kaillie will try to continue her success on the track this year โ but for a different country. Kaillie, a citizen of Canada, won the right to slide for the U.S. after a lengthy dispute over unsafe and verbally abusive work conditions in Canada.ย ย
Josh Shuster
Curling, U.S.
A curler hailing from Wisconsin, Josh Shuster is a five-time Olympian in curling. He was part of the first U.S. team to win gold in the event in 2018. This year, Josh was picked as a flag bearer for the open ceremonies as well. He has a small but mighty following on Instagram, with snaps of his team and his family, which includes pictures of his 4-year-old son and biggest fan.
Kamila Valieva
Figure Skating, Russia
If youโre a figure-skating fan, you should follow Kamila Valieva. This young Russian skater will make her Olympic debut in Beijing, after becoming the 2022 Russian National Champion. Sheโs one of few women who can land a quadruple jump and will likely be fierce competition on the Olympic ice.
Mariah Bell
Figure Skating, U.S.
Another up-and-coming figure skater, Mariah Bell will skate for the U.S. She has worked on her routine for months and plans to skate to music by Lady Gaga. Itโs the 25-year-oldโs first Olympics after being named an alternate in 2018. She shared a great snap of the U.S. figure skaters leaving for Beijing on Instagram.ย
Eileen Gu
Freestyle skiing, China
Competing for China, Eileen is one of the only skiers to dominate in three disciplines: Big air, slopestyle and halfpipe. ESPN has already predicted the Chinese-American will bring home three medals for China. She was raised by her Chinese mother and grandmother and chose to represent China at the age of 15.
Chris Mazdzer
Luge, U.S.
If Chris Mazdzer looks familiar, it might be because he spent part of his off-season on season 26 of “Dancing with the Stars.” Chris has hung up his dancing shoes and is now participating in the luge for the fourth time as an Olympian. Rookies call him โthe cool uncleโ who has all the answers. Heโs not a medal favorite this year, but he has medaled before when others bet against him.ย
Shaun White
Snowboarding, U.S.
You canโt mention snowboarding greats without saying Shaun Whiteโs name. Heโs a legend in the sport as a four-time Olympian and a three-time gold medalist in the halfpipe. Heโs credited with reinventing the sport, and while he plans to retire after Beijing, heโll be great to watch one last time on Olympic terrain.
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott
Snowboarding, New Zealand
Keep your eyes on the slopes for Zoi, a New Zealand Olympian who won the bronze in the big air event in 2018. At 17 years old, Zoi was one the youngest athletes to earn an Olympic medal for her country. Now 20, this young phenom is expected to do well in Beijing. Sheโll turn 21 just after the games on March 6.
Ireen Wรผst
Speedskating, Netherlands
Ireen is an Olympic veteran who made her first Olympic speedskating appearance in 2006. She won a gold medal that year and has racked up several medals since, including five at the Sochi Games, making her the most decorated athlete at the Sochi Olympics. She, like athlete Shaun White, plans to retire after her fifth Olympic run in Beijing.
Jessie Diggins
Cross-Country Skiing, U.S.
Jessie Diggins is making her mark in the cross-country skiing world. She helped her team win gold in the 2018 games in PyeongChang and sheโs back to defend her title in Beijing. The 30-year-old Minnesotan was on the cover of Sports Illustratedย and talked about how hard athletes have to push to be the best. She writes a blog about her adventures, too.
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