The long game: Winter Olympians redefining their prime

For most of us, 40 is the new 30. For elite athletes at this year's Winter Olympics, 40 is something else entirely: rare air. Why it matter: The Games aren't just a showcase of peak performance anymore. They're a test of longevity. How long can greatness last? From the first-ever mother-son duo to compete in the Olympics to athletes who've come out of retirement to medal in Milan, this year's field is redefining what an Olympic career can look like. They still get retirement questions. They're asked often to explain how they stay in the game. But they also bring something younger competitors can't: perspective — a long view of the injuries, setbacks, reinventions and second acts that shape a professional athlete's life. For inspiration, we gathered quotes from some athletes bringing veteran grit: 1. Claudia Riegler (Austrian, snowboarding) — At 52, Riegler is the oldest woman to compete in Winter Olympic history, racing against competitors decades younger. She made her Olympic debut before many of them were born. "I can still keep up with the young girls and fight with them. I'm still here and I can push myself next to the young guns," she said after she was eliminated from the parallel giant slalom race on Feb. 8. "My biggest motivation now is my age, because I was kicked out of the team when I was 30. They told me I was too old," she said, though she earned her spot back on the national team three years later. 2. Nick Baumgartner (U.S., snowboard cross) — At 44, he's still competing in one of snowboarding's most punishing disciplines, long past the sport's typical prime. He's been in the Winter Games since 2010. "I'm lucky to have the longevity that I have. I cut corners, didn't do everything I could, but I had time to learn from those mistakes. ... I've learned that if you do everything you can, and you cut no corners, if you fall short of that goal, you can live with that." On health and fitness: "At 44, if you don't adopt that kind of lifestyle, you don't have a chance to do this. If I spent all my time in the gym just trying to train, I'd get burned out a long time ago." 3. Elana Meyers Taylor (U.S., bobsled) — At 41, she's competing in her fifth Olympics, extending a career across monobob and two-woman events. She remains one of Team USA's most reliable medal contenders in a sport defined by speed and durability. She clinched gold yesterday — making Team USA history as the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympic history, with a gold, three silver and two bronze medals. "Long story short, I thought doing this with one kid was crazy. Doing it with two is just a glutton for punishment. This is just insane," she said on competing in the 2026 Games. "I represent more than just myself now. I represent my kids, but also a lot of moms back home. I have so many people out there cheering me on, wishing me the best of luck." 4. Rich Ruohonen (U.S., men's curling) —At 54, the U.S. alternate is the oldest member of the American Olympic delegation — nearly twice the age of most teammates. He now holds the record as the oldest U.S. athlete ever to appear at a Winter Games. "Just to throw one rock would be the greatest," Ruohonen said at a press conference. He did get that moment! He anticipated it "would be the greatest moment in my life. My kids know it, and my wife knows it, so they're not going to be mad at me for saying it wasn't my wedding day." 5. Lindsey Vonn (U.S., alpine skiing) — At 41, Vonn attempted a historic comeback after retiring in 2019. She tore her ACL just weeks before the Games began, but chose to compete anyway, only to crash off course during the Olympic downhill. "Thankful for all of the incredible medical staff, friends, family who have been by my side and the beautiful outpouring of love and support from people around the world," Vonn wrote on Instagram after her third surgery post-crash to repair a fractured tibia. "Also, huge congrats to my teammates and all of the Team USA athletes who are out there inspiring me and giving me something to cheer for."