Gen Z redefining Winter Olympics

From enhanced broadcast coverage, to relaxed social media rules,
the IOC are targeting a golden age of athlete influencers to inspire
the next generation, who know exactly how to be cool on the slopes!

AGE DISTRIBUTION OF WINTER OLYMPIC ATHLETES
Milano Cortina 2026

Average age
Women
Men

Snowboarding		26.2	22.8
Athletes: 235
Freestyle Skiing		25.9	24.3
278
Ski Jumping		25.9	23.7		
101	
Figure Skating		26.5	23.2
147
Short Track		25.2	25.4
112
Luge			26.0	25.0			
105
Cross-Country		26.5	25.8
296
Nordic Combined		26.3
36
Men only event
Speed Skating		26.3	26.8
164
Alpine Skiing		27.7	25.5
306
Biathlon			27.1	27.2
209
Ski Mountaineering	26.3	28.0
36
Bobsleigh		28.3	27.7
201
Ice Hockey		29.9	25.2
530
Skeleton			29.2	29.2
50
Curling			30.9	31.2
112

15yrs
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55

Indra Brown, AUS
Freestyle skiing
prodigy,
age 16
Stoats of Milano
Cortina 2026
are first openly
Gen Z mascots


Source: IOC
Picture: Getty Images
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