MILAN, Italy — American speed skater Casey Dawson garnered attention during the 2026 Winter Olympics for his distinctive pink backpack adorned with hearts, which he carried while competing on Sunday, Feb. 8, at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium. The event saw a lively crowd, including United States Vice President JD Vance, as Dawson raced in the men’s 5,000 meter event.
Despite a stumble at the start, Dawson finished in eighth place with a time of 6:11.88. He acknowledged the nerves that accompany competing on such a significant stage, stating, “It happens… there are a lot of nerves.”
Norway’s Sander Eitrem seized the gold medal with an impressive Olympic record of 6:03.95. This achievement came just two weeks after Eitrem became the first skater to finish the 5,000m in under six minutes. Czechia’s Metodej Jilek earned silver with a time of 6:06.48, while Italy’s Riccardo Lorello captured bronze, narrowly besting teammate Davide Ghiotto by just 0.35 seconds, finishing with times of 6:09.22 and 6:09.57, respectively.
Dawson, who previously won a bronze medal in the team pursuit at the 2022 Beijing Games, remains hopeful as he prepares for upcoming events, including the 1,500m, 10,000m, and team pursuit.
Regarding his signature pink backpack, Dawson explained he has been carrying it as a light-hearted consequence of finishing last in a fantasy football league with other skaters. In a pre-Olympics video, he shared, “Whoever loses has to carry this around for the year.” He humorously noted that the backpack serves as a reminder to stay humble and grounded, adding, “It puts a smile on my face every time I see it. It’s kind of ridiculous, but it’s fun.”
While reflecting on his experience at the Olympics, Dawson expressed a positive attitude, despite missing the podium. “It’s awesome to be here,” he noted. However, he did share concerns about the temporary ice conditions, which he felt were inconsistent compared to more permanent rinks. He emphasized the challenge of controlling the ice temperature due to the warm-up from spectators, saying, “So you just kind of have to believe in your skating, trust your skating.”
Dawson’s journey at these Olympics is just beginning, and he remains a promising athlete with a vibrant personality that keeps the spirit of competition alive.