With the 2026 Winter Olympics coming up, a new interactive map shows where Team USA athletes are from, and New York has a lot to be proud of. According to RotoWire.com, New York is tied for third in the country for the most athletes heading to the Winter Games.

New York Ranks in the Top Three

The heatmap shows that New York will have 11 athletes on Team USA for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy. That puts New York right behind Minnesota and Colorado, and tied with Massachusetts for third place. For a state known for big cities than big mountains, that is pretty good.

Winter Sports Pride Across the State

From snowy Upstate towns to busy city neighborhoods, New York athletes are showing that winter sports are alive and well. Whether it is hockey, skiing, snowboarding, or other cold weather sports, these athletes have spent years training to reach this moment. For families and schools across New York, watching someone local compete in the Olympics is a huge deal.

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Minnesota May Lead, But New York Is Right There

Minnesota took the top spot with the most athletes, but New York is not far behind when it comes to producing winter athletes. Other states near the top include Colorado and Massachusetts, but New York is right there. It shows that you don't need to live in the Rocky Mountains to dream big in winter sports.

Why This Matters for Local Communities

When local athletes make it to the Olympics, it brings pride to their hometowns. It can also inspire kids who are just starting out in sports to believe they can do big things too. Seeing New York on this list reminds everyone that talent can come from anywhere, including right here in the Empire State.

Images from the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, NY

Here are some images from the week of February 13th-24th, 1980 in Lake Placid New York, home of the XIII Olympic Winter Games.

Gallery Credit: Brian Cody TSM

Winter Olympics 2026: Meet Team USA

The Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games of 2026 will take place in Milano Cortina, Italy. Here are some of the incredible stars representing the United States during the Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics.

Gallery Credit: Jaime Skelton

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