MILAN, Italy — As the 2026 Winter Olympics unfold in Milano Cortina, all eyes are on American speedskating sensation Casey Dawson. The 25-year-old Park City, Utah native is currently competing in the men’s 5,000-meter event, seeking to redeem a 2022 Olympic debut that was famously derailed by logistical nightmares and health protocols.
A Quest for Redemption in Milano Cortina
Dawson enters the 2026 Games in what he describes as the “best shape of his life.” After securing his spot on Team USA by winning the 5,000m at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Milwaukee with a time of 6:12.857, Dawson has emerged as a top contender to upset the deep international field. He currently holds the American record in the 5,000m with a blistering time of 6:01.84.
The 2026 Games represent “unfinished business” for Dawson. During the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Dawson was forced to take 45 COVID-19 tests before being cleared to travel, arriving in China just 12 hours before his first race. Despite the exhaustion and missing his primary event, he managed to help Team USA secure a bronze medal in the team pursuit.
World Record Holder and National Champion
Dawson’s momentum leading into February 2026 has been historic. In November 2025, Dawson and his teammates shattered their own World Record in the team pursuit at the Salt Lake City World Cup, gliding to a finish of 3:32.49. This achievement solidified the U.S. trio—consisting of Dawson, Ethan Cepuran, and Emery Lehman—as the gold-medal favorites for the team pursuit event in Italy.
Key Career Milestones:
- 2020: Bronze medalist at the World Junior Speed Skating Championships (5,000m).
- 2021: U.S. National Champion in the 10,000m.
- 2022: Olympic Bronze Medalist (Team Pursuit) in Beijing.
- 2024-2025: Multiple World Cup gold medals and individual U.S. titles in the 5,000m.
- 2026: First male speedskater to qualify for the Milano Cortina Winter Games.
The “Villain Arc” and Team Dynamics
Off the ice, Dawson has embraced a lighthearted “villain arc,” a persona adopted during his rigorous training cycle in Utah. Known for his resilience, he is also a central figure in the team’s locker room culture, famously participating in the U.S. Speedskating fantasy football league where punishments for last place include carrying a pink backpack.
As of February 08, 2026, Dawson remains a focal point of Team USA’s medal hopes. Analysts suggest that his technical improvements and physical peak make him the strongest American threat in long-distance skating in over a decade. Fans can expect Dawson to be a major factor in both the individual 5,000m and the highly anticipated Team Pursuit finals later this week.