ESPN released its list ranking the top 25 Olympians of the 21st century, complete with five U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes and alumni. Mikaela Shiffrin, Shaun White, Lindsey Vonn, Chloe Kim and Lindsey Jacobellis all placed within the list. 

Shiffrin was the top ranked U.S. Ski & Snowboard athlete listed in fifth. She is a three-time Olympic medalist and two-time gold medalist, and the winningest skier of all-time with 97 World Cup wins and 60 World Cup slalom wins, the most in a single discipline. 

At number seven is retired snowboard star Shaun White. White is a three-time Olympic gold medalist in halfpipe and is a 15-time X Games medalist. One of the most successful men’s snowboarders in history, he is still active in the action sports world, launching his own professional snowboard and freeski league. 

Snowboarder Chloe Kim came in at number 12 on the list. Kim is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, nine-time X Games medalist and the youngest woman to win Olympic halfpipe gold. She is still actively competing and is a fierce competitor on the international circuit. 

Retired alpine skier Lindsey Vonn is ranked 16th on the list of top Olympians. Vonn is a three-time Olympic medalist, gold medalist and holds 82 world cup victories to her name. Vonn was widely known to be a speed force within the world of alpine skiing. She was also known to have impressive injury comebacks in her tenure within the sport. 

Ranked 20th on the list of top Olympians is snowboard cross athlete and most decorated snowboarder in history Lindsey Jacobellis. Jacobellis is a three-time Olympic medalist and won two golds medals at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Jacobellis is the first snowboarder to win multiple golds in one Olympic Games when she earned gold in individual snowboard cross and mixed team. 

The list contained a myriad of other top and widely known international Olympic athletes including Michael Phelps ranked first, gymnastics star Simone Biles at number two as well as many other sports stars across track, cycling, hockey and more. The full list is found here. 

(Salt Lake City, UT) - July 24, 2024 — Salt Lake City, Utah has been selected to host the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, a decision made during the 142nd International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Paris, France, on July 24, 2024. The historic decision marks the fifth time the Winter Olympic Games have been held in the USA and 32 years since Utah last hosted the world.

The anticipation for the 2034 Games is already building, with the Olympics tentatively scheduled from February 10-26 and the Paralympics from March 10-19, 2034. This nomination places Utah in a unique position, continuing America's proud legacy of hosting the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, with previous events in Lake Placid (1932, 1980), Olympic Valley (1960), and Salt Lake City (2002).

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has a strong history with the Games. More than 40% of Team USA is made up of U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes and U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes traditionally win more than 60% of medals earned at the Games. The Utah Olympics are particularly exciting, as U.S. Ski & Snowboard is headquartered in Park City, Utah at the USANA Center of Excellence powered by iFit. 

The 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are scheduled to use 13 existing venues from the 2002 Games alongside a single temporary venue. The venues will span the state, with skiing and snowboarding events expected to be hosted at Deer Valley Resort, Solider Hollow Nordic Center, Park City Mountain, Snowbasin Resort, the Utah Olympic Park, and a temporary structure for freeski and snowboard big air in downtown Salt Lake City. 

“We are thrilled to have Salt Lake City, Utah formally selected to host another Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, who was at the bid announcement in Paris. “We know that the Games helps to inspire the world and the next generation of athletes, and we are looking forward to being strong supporters and ambassadors of the Games in our home of Utah.”

“I'm so excited and honored to be part of the team officially bringing the Olympics back to Salt Lake City!” said Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn, who was part of the presentation in Paris and is Chair of Athlete Experience for the Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 bid committee. “This feels like a full circle moment for me, remembering the magic of my first Olympics here in 2002. As Chair of Athlete Experience for Salt Lake City-Utah 2034, my focus is on creating an unparalleled experience not just for the athletes, but for the families who support them every step of the way. Salt Lake City is such a special place, and I'm excited to share it with the world again."

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For further information, please contact:
Leann Bentley
Communications Manager, U.S. Ski & Snowboard
leann.bentley@usskiandsnowboard.org