At 15 years old, freeskier Abby Winterberger is the youngest athlete to represent Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Truckee, CA native began skiing at the age of two and began competing at six.
Curler Rich Ruohonen became the United States' oldest Winter Olympian at the 2026 Winter Games. He participated in the Americans' 8-3 loss against Switzerland.
Check out key facts about how old athletes need to be in order to compete in the Games below:
What is the minimum age requirement for the Olympics?
There is no specific age limit to participate in the Olympics, according to the International Olympic Committee's official rules. While the default minimum age requirement is 16, some countries allow athletes as young as 13 to compete for their respective country.
For Team USA, 13 is the youngest an athlete can be to compete in the Olympics. But athletes must also comply with each individual sport's governing International Federation, which sets its own age requirements.
For example, the International Federation of Gymnastics requires gymnasts to be at least 16 years of age, while competitors in diving can be as young as 14.
Who is the youngest Olympian of all time?
Dimitrios Loundras is the youngest athlete in modern Olympic history, winning a bronze medal at 10 years old at the 1896 Athens Summer Olympics as part of the Greek gymnastics team.
Who is the youngest athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympics?
South Korea speed skater Kim Yun-mi won the gold medal in the women's 3,000-meter relay at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics. She was just 13 years and 86 days old.
Since Yun-mi's historic golden victory, the International Skating Union has raised its minimum qualifying age to 15, to protect the development of young athletes.
Who is the oldest Olympian of all time?
The oldest Olympian of all time is Oscar Swahn, who competed in the team double-shot running deer event at the 1920 Antwerp Games at 72.
Who is the oldest athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympics?
Swahn is also the oldest athlete to win Olympic gold, having taken home the top prize at 64, during the 1912 Stockholm Olympics in the team single-shot running deer event.
What is the age limit for athletes in the Youth Olympics?
The Youth Olympics exclusively features competitors between the ages of 15 and 18.
Check out the ESPN Olympics hub page for more updates and information.