The 2026 Winter Olympics start next Friday, Feb. 6 in Milano Cortina, Italy, followed by the Paralympic Winter Games opening March 6. Some of the best athletes in the world will take the stage — including some from Raleigh + NC. Here are our local Olympians + Paralympians competing in everything from hockey to speed racing.
Sebastian Aho, hockey for Team Finland | Carolina Hurricanes player | Sebastian Aho is a longtime Canes favorite, and he’s a first-time Olympian — NHL players haven’t been able to compete in the Olympics since 2014. Team Finland + Aho will hit the ice on Wednesday, Feb. 11 against Team Slovakia.
Frederik Andersen, hockey for Team Denmark | Carolina Hurricanes player | In a qualifying round in 2025, goaltender Freddy Andersen stopped 60 of 64 pucks in three games, making him instrumental for Team Denmark. Plus, he’ll be competing with fellow Hurricane Nikolaj Ehlers.
Kayden Beasley, sled hockey | From Coats, NC | Hailing from the Harnett County town of Coats, Kayden Beasley is a congenital bilateral amputee and a member of the US Paralympic Sled Hockey team. Beasley plays for the Carolina Hurricanes Sled Hockey team and played for the US national team in the International Para Hockey Cup and was named US Player of the Game in their win over Italy.
Nikolaj Ehlers, hockey for Team Denmark | Carolina Hurricanes player | Nikolaj Ehlers is a relatively recent addition to the Hurricanes roster, but he already has 40 points on the season with the Canes. Catch him on Thursday, Feb. 12 against Team Germany.
Eunice Lee, short track speed racing | Duke University student | Skater Eunice Lee is a Duke student studying chemistry and biology on a pre-med track and helped take home a silver medal at the 2024 wold championships for the relay, the first world medal for the American women in the event since 2012.
Mystique Ro, skeleton | Queens University of Charlotte alum | Mystique Ro was a track and field athlete for Queens University of Charlotte, and in 2023, became the first American athlete to win a skeleton race on the world cup circuit in eight years. Plus, she won gold in the mixed team skeleton event, which will make its Olympic debut in Milano Cortina.
Jaccob Slavin, hockey | Carolina Hurricanes player | Defensemen Jaccob Slavin made a name for himself during the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off where the United States team fell to Canada, but Slavin is back for more. Slavin has been a Hurricane since he was drafted in 2012, and despite a recent injury, he’s back in full force for Italy.
