54-Year-Old Sets Record as Oldest U.S. Winter Olympian

Rich Ruohonen, a 54-year-old personal injury attorney from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, made history on Thursday at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, by becoming the oldest athlete to ever compete for the United States in the Winter Games. As an alternate on the U.S. men's curling team, Ruohonen threw two stones late in a round-robin match against Switzerland, securing his place in the record books during the 8-3 loss after eight ends.

The moment came in Team USA's second game of the tournament, following an opening win over Czechia on Wednesday. With the outcome no longer in doubt and the Swiss leading 8-2 heading into the eighth end, Ruohonen swapped in for teammate Aidan Oldenburg. He later recounted asking the Swiss players if they would allow him to throw, noting their gracious response. "They said, 'Go enjoy the moment,'" Ruohonen said. The Swiss agreed, enabling him to deliver two precise throws on the Olympic ice. The gesture highlighted the sportsmanship often seen in curling, where Ruohonen has competed against some of the Swiss athletes' fathers in past events.

Ruohonen's achievement surpasses the previous mark set by Joseph Savage, who was 52 when he...