The growth of women’s sports is continuing and was prominent in this year’s Winter Olympics. 

Eight out of the 12 U.S. gold medals were won by women, in the events alpine skiing, bobsled, figure skating, freestyle skiing, ice hockey, and mixed team aerials. 

One of the most popular athletes this year in the Winter Olympics was Alysa Liu, who won the gold in women’s singles figure skating, ending a 24-year U.S. drought in that event. 

Liu is known for being a successful young skater, but she ended up retiring at 16 years old in 2022 due to intense pressure and to focus on her mental state. Yet she came back and won her gold medal in 2026 at 20 years old. 

At the Olympic Gala, she performed a routine to “Stateside” by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson, which many fans thought was fun. They are happy to see she is doing better from a mental health perspective as well. 

Another popular gold won by the U.S. was the women’s hockey team. They beat Canada 2-1 in overtime to win the gold. In Winter Olympics history, the U.S. women’s hockey team has medaled every year since the sport was introduced in 1998. 

Another gold was won by Mikaela Shiffrin, who won the gold in women’s slalom alpine skiing. She is one of the most decorated U.S. skiers ever and has won three golds in her career. 

Also making history is Elana Meyers Taylor, who at age 41 won her first Olympic gold medal in monobob bobsled. This accomplishment made her the oldest American woman to win a Winter Olympics gold medal. She also tied the most Winter Olympic medals by a U.S. woman at six. 

Elizabeth Lemley won gold in women’s moguls freestyle skiing, with her strong runs and aerial skills in this sport, where the U.S. has been very competitive. 

These women are showing younger generations looking up to them that winning at the Olympics is not just a dream. It can be their reality. 

Women’s sports have been on the rise recently and don’t seem to be slowing down with the successes of this wide variety of American athletes at the Winter Games.