The 2026 Winter Olympics are in full swing! And Black athletes are making history on and off the medal podium. From breaking barriers in traditionally underrepresented winter sports to redefining excellence through resilience, representation, and record-setting performances, these athletes are shaping a new narrative for future generations.
Welcome back to our Black History Month series, where we celebrate Black excellence, honor trailblazers, and spotlight powerful stories that change and influence the world.
Laila Edwards, Cleveland Heights, OH
Laila Edwards is the first Black woman to compete for the US Women’s hockey team. Just a few days after the first puck dropped, she also made history by becoming the first Black woman to score a goal for the US women’s team. Off the ice, Laila is continuing to make history at the University of Wisconsin, where she stars for one of the top women’s hockey programs. Her Olympic debut not only highlights her rapid rise as one of the sport’s brightest young stars but also signals progress toward greater diversity in hockey. Check out Laila as she continues to make history through the Olympics.
Darryl Payne Jr., San Antonio, TX
Darryl Payne Jr. continues to slide to new heights as the first Black man to suit up for Team USA in Olympic skeleton, one of the winter games’ most intense and high-speed events. Payne is a former track and field athlete who has transformed his sprinting background into a powerful advantage on the ice, quickly establishing himself in a sport where representation has historically been limited. Darryl’s ultimate goal is to compete in the 2026 Olympics, and to create representation for other Black athletes at the Olympics and challenge assumptions about who belongs on the track.
Elana Meyers Taylor, Oceanside, CA
Elana Meyers Taylor returns to the ice track for her fifth Winter Games, once again lining up for Team USA in bobsled and adding to a resume that already makes her the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history. Beyond her mastery of the bobsled, she has used her platform to advocate for athlete wellness, equity, and greater representation. Seeing Elana show up and show out on the Olympic stage highlights both excellence and progress and inspires a new generation of athletes to see possibility where barriers once stood.
