US EditionMinnesota Speedskater Birkeland Earned Her Olympic Swan Song, and Plans to Savor It
After a fall 2024 foot fracture sidelined her for months, Giorgia Birkeland returned to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics and plans to retire after these Games.
- On Feb. 4, 2026, U.S. speedskater Giorgia Birkeland competes in the women's 1500m and team pursuit at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, her final Olympics after a 2024 foot injury.
- Following a fall 2024 injury that broke her foot and sidelined her for months, Birkeland decided to compete one more season by summer.
- Facing limited institutional support and a coach recently let go, Birkeland relied on daily pool work and help from her sister, teammates and Derek Parra before qualifying for A funding late in the World Cup season.
- This time around, Birkeland feels more confident and says she’s enjoying the full experience after exploring the village and the food schedule, and she’s excited to race.
- Reflecting on her career, Giorgia Birkeland called her journey her best 'gold medal' and said the 'sunset of a career' made everything intentional, adding personal resonance to her return in Italy.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Minnesota speedskater Birkeland earned her Olympic swan song, and plans to savor it
Many aspects of these Games have been more enjoyable for Giorgia Birkeland than her Olympic debut in 2022. “Last time was not even a comparison,” the speedskater from White Bear Lake, Minnesota, said. For one, it was still in a COVID-era of competition, where competitors were bunkered down and sporting masks in Beijing. “There was like no congregating, no pin exchanges, really,” she said. “It was very not social at all.” This time around, Birkel…
White Bear Lake speedskater Birkeland earned her Olympic swan song, and plans to savor it
Many aspects of these Games have been more enjoyable for Giorgia Birkeland than her Olympic debut in 2022. United States' Giorgia Birkeland competes in the women's 1500m speed skating time trials at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Rho, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) “Last time was not even a comparison,” the speedskater from White Bear Lake said. For one, it was still in a COVID-era of competition, where competitors were bunk…
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