Curler John Shuster Has Been to a Handful of Olympic Games, but He Hopes To Change That

John Shuster can count on one hand how many Olympic Games he’s been to. But that will have to change if he qualifies for the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The five-time Olympian would tie the record for most Winter Olympics attended by a U.S. athlete, a feat only matched by Nordic combined legend Todd Lodwick.

But for Shuster, the pursuit of another Olympic berth isn’t driven by a desire to break records. Instead, it’s about something deeper — his love for the game, the thrill of competition, and the drive to continue improving — even after all these years.

“I’ve never been hung up on the number of times I’ve been to the Olympics,” Shuster said, reflecting on his impressive career. “For me, I’m still getting better, and I’m still enjoying traveling and competing with my teammates.”

Since his Olympic debut in 2006, Shuster’s curling career has been nothing short of remarkable. He earned a bronze medal at his first Games in Torino, skipped his own team at the Olympics for the first time in 2010 and then led Team USA to its first-ever Olympic gold in 2018. That victory in PyeongChang catapulted him to legendary status, but his continued success on the national stage fuels his ambition.

“Since winning in 2018, I’ve had my most successful run on the national level,” the 42-year-old native from Superior, WI, said. His triumph at last year’s national championships was his tenth win, and seventh as team skip.

“But I’ve had things on my list of things I’ve wanted to accomplish: winning an Olympic gold medal was one; winning world championships — which I still haven’t succeeded in yet; as well as winning a Grand Slam. So, there are still some benchmarks.”

At this point, the only U.S. curler with two Olympic medals is no stranger to the hard work and dedication required to stay at the top. In fact, his approach to curling has evolved as he’s aged.

“Now that I’m older, it’s more about quality over quantity,” he admitted about the sport that he has been playing since 12. “I’m constantly trying to find ways to stay sharp. For me, it’s the 32 to 50 practice rocks I throw every day — that’s where I dive in. I tell people that’s my church, my happy place.”

Shuster’s commitment to the sport is about personal achievement and inspiring the next generation, particularly his two children. Both his 11- and 9-year-old sons are involved in curling, with his oldest having recently come back from attending the U18 national championships and his younger son playing in junior bonspiels (tournaments for younger players). 

Even though their focus is not on a singular sport, Shuster sees his Olympic journey as a powerful example for them.

“The things I’m accomplishing still inspire our kids. They see that if you work hard and dedicate yourself, you can do anything,” the two-time medalist said. “I think that probably adds a little more motivation to keep going, especially with my wife and kids supporting me.”

The idea of staying in it for another quad is something his whole family got behind after they were unable to attend the last Games due to COVID-19. “They felt like they got cheated,” he revealed. The upcoming Olympics would also be the first one his kids would remember after being only three and five years old when he won gold.

His biggest cheerleader is his wife, Sara, who is also his coach for the mixed doubles Olympic trials coming up. “She's very smart and has probably seen more high-level curling games than most people on Earth,” he chuckled.

The two of them have created a solid family foundation centered around the sport, one that backs the U.S. men’s curling team skip in his unwavering pursuit of his goals on the ice.

Yet, it’s not just the quest for Olympic glory that keeps him going. It’s the shared experiences with his teammates, the camaraderie, and the joy of competing at the highest level. 

“I think if I played an individual sport, I would have been long gone by now,” Shuster admitted, later sharing that one of his favorite parts of the Olympics is watching his teammates experience it for the first time and getting to share that moment with them.

His bond with his team, all of whom have full-time jobs outside of curling, is a testament to the dedication required to compete at the world’s elite level.

“I’m the only one (on the team) who doesn’t have a full-time job,” he noted. He dreams of a day when all U.S. curlers have the opportunity to make a living curling, like some teams in Europe and Canada. “I would love to see that happen in the future.”

Despite his focus currently on next year’s Olympic Games, he is already thinking about the Salt Lake City 2034 Olympic Winter Games, where he could potentially compete alongside his children.

“It might be insane to think about,” he said, but his boys will then be 18 and 20, the latter being his age when he represented the United States at his first men’s world championships.

“If my kids decide to go a similar route to me and try to take curling to a place that I tried to take it to,” Shuster said, a hint of excitement in his voice, “I could see one time trying to go to the Olympics in 2034 with my kids as being a possibility.”

But, he added, “That doesn’t mean that I’m going to be playing every single year between,” he laughed. 

For now, though, Shuster remains fully committed to his immediate goal: earning a spot on Team USA for 2026. The journey may have started over two decades ago, but “I pinch myself every day to be able to say that I’m an Olympian,” Shuster said, reflecting on his storied career. “To be a five-time Olympian is kind of mind-blowing.”

Whether or not Shuster makes his sixth Olympic appearance, one thing is certain: his legacy in the sport of curling is already cemented, and his impact will be felt for years to come.

With the men’s team already qualified for a spot at team trials in November, Shuster and his partner, Aileen Geving, will be hitting the ice at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Mixed Doubles Curling in Layfayette, Colo., on Feb. 17-23, 2025.

Lisa Costantini has covered Olympic and Paralympic sports for more than a decade, including for the International Olympic Committee. She is a freelance writer who has contributed to TeamUSA.com since 2011.