Team USA athletes with Maryland connections are competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, highlighting the state’s contributions to sliding sports and sled hockey.
The Olympics began February 6 and run through February 22, while the Paralympics start March 6 and end March 15. Four athletes from Maryland are representing the United States: Summer Britcher in luge, Bryan Sosoo in bobsled, Carsten Vissering in bobsled, and Noah Grove in sled hockey. Their participation underscores how athletes from a state without major winter facilities can excel through determination and cross-sport transitions.
Maryland Ties: Born in Baltimore.
Summer Britcher, born in Baltimore, is competing in her fourth Olympic Games in women’s singles luge, making her one of only three U.S. women to achieve that milestone in the event. Britcher holds the U.S. record for most World Cup singles wins with seven. She began luge at age 11 after trying it at a talent identification camp and has since become a veteran on the circuit. Britcher trained in Lake Placid, New York, and her experience on the Cortina track positions her as a medal contender. “I’m excited to bring my best to these Games and represent where I came from,” Britcher said in a Team USA profile. Her Olympic debut was in 2014, and she has competed in 2018 and 2022 without a medal, but her consistency in World Cup races suggests potential for a podium finish.
Maryland Ties: Grew up in Laurel and is a graduate of Reservoir High School.
Bryan Sosoo, a 29-year-old from Laurel, is making his Olympic debut in bobsled as a push athlete. Sosoo graduated from Reservoir High School, where he was the Maryland state champion in the 55-meter dash and triple jump. He continued track and field at Monmouth University, winning three conference titles in the 60-meter dash and triple jump. Sosoo transitioned to bobsled in 2024, leveraging his explosive power from track. He competed for Ghana in track before switching nationalities for Team USA. Sosoo’s rapid rise includes training at Olympic facilities starting February 12. “Bobsled requires the same speed and strength I built in track,”. His role in the four-man bobsled event, scheduled for February 21-22, involves pushing the sled to speeds over 80 mph on the Cortina track.
Maryland Ties: A Bethesda native and Georgetown Prep alumnus.
Carsten Vissering, 28, from Bethesda, is also debuting in bobsled as a push athlete. Vissering swam at the same club as nine-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky and competed collegiately at the University of Southern California. He started bobsled at age 25 in 2023 and reached the world championships that year. Vissering’s swimming background provided the strength needed for bobsled pushes. He trains with the U.S. team and will compete in the four-man event. “Switching from pool to ice was challenging, but it’s all about power and team work,” Vissering said in a Team USA biography. His addition strengthens Team USA’s bobsled contingent, which includes 14 athletes.
Maryland Ties: A Frederick native and Towson University graduate.
Noah Grove, 26, from Frederick, is competing in sled hockey for the U.S. Paralympic team, aiming for a third consecutive gold medal. Diagnosed with bone cancer at age 4, Grove had his left leg amputated and began adaptive sports through the Bennett Blazers program in Baltimore. He graduated from Towson University in 2022. Grove has two Paralympic golds from 2018 and 2022, plus four world championship golds. He also played amputee soccer for the U.S. at the 2014 Amputee World Cup at age 15 and continues it during offseasons. “My team understands our impact on the mission,” Grove said in a U.S. Paralympics feature. Sled hockey events occur March 7-15 in Milan. Grove’s story inspires, showing resilience in overcoming health challenges to become one of Maryland’s most decorated Paralympians.
These athletes demonstrate Maryland’s role in Team USA’s 232-member Olympic roster and 25-member Paralympic team. Maryland has three Olympic athletes and one Paralympian, ranking among states with fewer winter sports ties like Georgia and Indiana. The state contributed to Team USA’s goal of medaling in multiple events, with veterans like Britcher providing leadership and rookies like Sosoo and Vissering adding fresh energy. Their journeys from track, swimming, and adaptive programs to winter sports highlight talent identification efforts by U.S. national governing bodies. As the Games progress, Maryland residents can follow results on NBC networks and Peacock, celebrating local success on the international stage.