MILAN, Italy — In a surprising turn of events at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, American speed skating star Casey Dawson withdrew from the men’s 10,000-meter event on Friday, February 13, 2026. The decision, announced just hours before the race was scheduled to begin, leaves Team USA without a representative in one of the sport’s most grueling endurance tests.
Dawson, the 25-year-old American record holder in the distance, reportedly elected to skip the 10,000m to preserve his energy for upcoming priority events. According to team officials, the Park City, Utah native is shifting his full focus toward the men’s team pursuit and the 1,500-meter competition, where the U.S. is considered a heavy medal favorite.
Strategic Shift for Team USA
The withdrawal is a tactical move for Dawson, who has already had a busy Olympic schedule. Earlier this week, he competed in the men’s 5,000-meter final, finishing in eighth place with a time of 6:11.88. While he entered that event as a podium contender, a slow start hampered his chances of securing a medal.
By stepping away from the 10,000m, Dawson aims to maximize his recovery. The U.S. men’s team pursuit squad—which won bronze at the 2022 Beijing Games—has been vocal about their “unfinished business” and their goal to capture gold in Milan. Dawson is a cornerstone of that trio, and his fresh legs are seen as vital to the team’s success.
A Career of Resilience
Dawson’s Olympic journey has been defined by overcoming adversity. During the 2022 Beijing Olympics, he famously missed his initial flights and the 5,000m race after testing positive for COVID-19 more than 50 times. He eventually arrived in China just 12 hours before the team pursuit, where he helped the U.S. secure a bronze medal.
Since then, Dawson has established himself as one of the world’s elite long-distance skaters. In 2024, he secured gold medals in both the 5,000m and team pursuit at the Four Continents Championships and set a new U.S. record in the 5,000m during the ISU World Cup circuit.
What’s Next for Casey Dawson?
While American fans will be disappointed to see no U.S. skaters in today’s 10,000m final, the focus now turns to the following events:
- Men’s 1,500m: Dawson will look to use his endurance and speed in this middle-distance clash.
- Men’s Team Pursuit: The marquee event for the U.S. speed skating program, where Dawson, Ethan Cepuran, and Emery Lehman are expected to challenge for the top of the podium.
Dawson remains one of the most accomplished skaters in U.S. history, holding multiple national records and three world records in various team and track categories. His pursuit of individual and team glory continues as the Milan Cortina Games enter their second week.