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Olympic Figure Skaters Grapple With Injuries While Securing Team Gold at Milan‑Cortina

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Injury Types and Immediate Medical Response: At the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Games, skaters reported knee swelling, back aches, and blade cuts, receiving care from on‑site physicians, athletic trainers, and physical therapists [1]. Gretchen Mohney, U.S. Figure Skating’s medical director, urged athletes to abandon the “suck it up” mindset and treat injuries promptly to prevent worsening [1]. Team physician Dr. Fred Workman noted a rise in concussions and overuse issues, recommending varied training loads and mental‑health support [1].

Preventive Strategies and Chronic Management Plans: Mohney explained that skaters cannot afford six‑week rest periods, so they rely on simple measures such as foot padding and targeted rehabilitation to stay competition‑ready [1]. She emphasized cross‑training and load variation to mitigate chronic back pain and other overuse injuries [1]. The approach balances safety with the need for continuous performance throughout the Olympic schedule [1].

Recent High‑Profile Falls Highlight Risks: Ilia Malinin suffered two falls in Milan, describing a loss of control on the ice [1]. On Jan. 30, Deanna Stellato‑Dudek collided head‑on with her partner, forcing both to withdraw from competition [1]. These incidents underscore the urgency of rapid medical intervention and long‑term injury management for elite skaters [1].

U.S. Pairs Overcome Injuries to Win Team Gold: Despite Ellie Kam’s month‑long concussion and Danny O’Shea’s recent foot surgery, the U.S. pairs delivered a top performance that helped the United States secure its second consecutive Olympic team gold medal [1]. Their success illustrates how strategic injury‑prevention and rehabilitation can sustain elite performance under pressure [1].

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Timeline

Dec 2025 – Figure skating headlines the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Games with five medal events (men’s and women’s singles, pairs, ice dance, team) each featuring a short program and a free skate; judges score technical elements and presentation, and the sport traces its Olympic roots to the 1908 Summer Games and its permanent Winter debut in 1924 [3].

Early Jan 2026 – The U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis serve as the selection meet that names the American Olympic team for Milan‑Cortina, finalizing the roster that will compete in February 2026 [3].

Jan 6, 2026 – The skeleton competition is set for Feb. 12‑15 at the Cortina Sliding Center, featuring men’s, women’s and the inaugural mixed‑team event; the United States enters as defending world champions with Mystique Ro and Austin Florian heading the mixed team [2].

Jan 30, 2026 – Pair skater Deanna Stellato‑Dudek collides head‑on‑ice during practice, forcing her and partner to withdraw and underscoring the urgency of on‑site medical care for acute injuries [1].

Feb 2, 2026 – Speed skating returns to the Olympic program with a full slate of long‑track, short‑track, team pursuit and mass‑start races, showcasing high‑speed time trials and tactical pack racing on a 400‑m oval and a hockey‑sized rink [4].

Feb 12‑15, 2026 – Skeleton athletes sprint, launch onto sleds and reach speeds exceeding 80 mph as they race head‑first down the track, with the mixed‑team event debuting and adding a new strategic medal opportunity [2].

Feb 18, 2026 – At the Milan‑Cortina Olympics, figure skaters contend with knee swelling, back pain and rising concussions; U.S. medical director Gretchen Mohney urges athletes to “abandon the ‘suck it up’ mindset” and treat injuries immediately, while team physician Dr. Fred Workman stresses varied training loads and mental‑health support to curb overuse issues, noting recent falls by Ilia Malinin as a reminder of the sport’s physical toll [1].

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