Eileen Gu, Su Yiming Headline PR China’s Olympic Team for Milano Cortina 2026
The People’s Republic of China is making history with the announcement of a remarkable 126-athlete squad for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy. This effort marks China’s largest-ever overseas Winter Olympic team, comprising part of a larger 286-member delegation destined for the Games.
Confirmed on January 27, 2026, this stellar squad prepares to compete across an unprecedented number of events—91, making it a milestone in the evolution of China’s participation in Winter Olympic sports. With such a diverse roster, the Chinese delegation showcases both artistry and athletic prowess in 15 disciplines.
Looming large on this dynamic team are Eileen Gu, the defending Olympic champion in freestyle skiing, and Su Yiming, who reigns as champion in snowboarding. Together, they lead an exceptional roster that includes several seasoned gold medallists from China’s stellar performance at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, such as Fan Kexin in short track speed skating and freestyle skier Xu Mengtao. Furthermore, the iconic figure skating pair of Sui Wenjing and Han Cong are set to make waves once again on the ice.
But it’s not just veterans; the team also boasts a fresh wave of talent. A impressive total of 67 athletes will make their Olympic debuts in Italy, signaling a pivotal generational shift in sports following their previous showcase in 2022. The youngest competitor, 17-year-old snowboard halfpipe athlete Ren Chongshuo, embodies the emerging strength of a new crop of Chinese athletes.
This milestone marks not just quantity but signifies a geographical landmark, as China’s contingent for Milano Cortina stands to be the largest it has ever sent to a Winter Olympics held outside its homeland, which debuted in the 1980 Lake Placid Games.
Reflecting on their prior achievements at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, where China clinched an impressive tally of 15 medals—nine gold, four silver, and two bronze—we can infer that they are ripe for an equally ambitious campaign in Italy. With excitement building, the anticipation for the Winter Olympics has never been more palpable.
