Milano Cortina 2026 is calling, and Team USA is ready to answer. From the snow-drenched Alps to the exquisite arenas in Northern Italy, the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are returning next February. Eight of Team USA’s National Governing Bodies (NGBs) will oversee 15 Olympic and six Paralympic sports on the Games’ respective programs. Whether you’re cheering from the edge of the halfpipe, watching the puck drop in a packed arena, or waiting at the finish line of a slope in Cortina, this is winter sport at its absolute peak.

The NGBs will select their athletes to represent Team USA after a highly competitive winter sports season based on criteria that vary from sport to sport. For instance, U.S. Ski & Snowboard has different selection criteria than USA Bobsled/Skeleton.

Most winter sports use their respective world circuit standings as a barometer for choosing the top athletes. So, while the Olympic and Paralympic Games are on every athlete’s mind, they must also focus on their regular winter season performance. Making Team USA presented by Xfinity showcases those athletes on their route to making the Olympic and Paralympic roster. These are the untold stories of what it takes to qualify for the toughest Olympic and Paralympic team in the world.

Making it to the Olympic or Paralympic Games as a Team USA athlete is the result of years of dedication and a clearly defined selection process. Their sport’s National Governing Body selects each athlete based on established criteria, such as performance at qualifying events, rankings and other competitive benchmarks.

That selection is then reviewed internally by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to make sure the athlete meets all eligibility and procedural requirements. Then, the athlete is added to an Olympic or Paralympic roster. Some athletes are also submitted as alternates in case another athlete becomes injured or loses eligibility due to other circumstances.

Leading into the selection process, every Team USA athlete will be competing on the most senior-level tour of their sport during the winter season. This tour occurs every year. However, the final season before the Games commence is the most important. Team USA will bring you the stories of the athletes chasing their Olympic and Paralympic dreams across all our channels – from performance highlights to behind the scenes access with our biggest personalities and all the moments in between.

Craving the action now? Watch the U.S. men’s sled hockey team take home gold in the 2025 world championship, securing their automatic bid to the Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Live broadcasts and replays of some events can also be found on Peacock, your streaming home for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.