MILAN — Anna Gibson and Jadin O’Brien are set to make their Olympic debuts at the Milan Cortina Winter Games on Thursday and Friday, even as they pursue spots on the 2024 Summer Olympic team. Gibson, a 26-year-old athlete from Jackson, Wyoming, will make history as the first American to compete in the newly introduced Winter Olympic sport of ski mountaineering.
In this thrilling discipline, competitors race across a diverse course, alternating between skiing and running while carrying their skis. Medals will be awarded in both women’s and men’s sprints on Thursday and in a mixed relay event on Saturday at the Stelvio Ski Center in Bormio, renowned for hosting Alpine skiing races.
Gibson has made quite a name for herself as a trail runner, notably reaching the semifinals of the 1,500-meter race during the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials. She holds an impressive record of 17 state titles in Wyoming’s track, cross-country running, and Nordic skiing events, in addition to being crowned a junior national champion in cross-country skiing. As valedictorian at Jackson Hole High School, her athletic prowess is matched by her academic achievements.
In June of last year, veteran skimo athlete Cam Smith recognized Gibson’s potential during the Broken Arrow Skyrace, a mountain climbing and trail running event in California. Following their race, Smith encouraged Gibson to explore skimo, a sport she had considered for years but never attempted. Motivated by a spirit of exploration, Gibson embraced the challenge, acquiring skimo boots and participating in a training camp by August. By December, she and Smith secured their Olympic spots by winning a relay race in Utah.
Similarly, O’Brien, a 23-year-old from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, has followed a unique path to the Winter Games. After finishing seventh in the heptathlon at the 2024 Olympic Track and Field Trials, O’Brien, a strength and conditioning coach at Notre Dame, was approached by six-time Olympic medalist Elana Meyers Taylor on Instagram, inviting her to try out for the bobsled team. Now, O’Brien and Meyers Taylor are serious contenders for medals in the two-woman bobsled event this weekend.
Meyers Taylor, who has already won gold in the monobob event, made history as the oldest individual Winter Olympic gold medalist at age 41, sharing the spotlight with Bonnie Blair as the most decorated American female Winter athlete. The bobsled sport has a rich history of athletes transitioning from track and field, including notable names like Lauryn Williams and Willie Davenport.
Having finished her track season on August 1, O’Brien quickly made the switch to bobsled, having raced for the first time later that month. She attributed her success to the adaptability required as a multi-athlete in events like the heptathlon, which features a grueling two-day schedule of various track and field competitions.
Despite facing a challenging training incident in January, where her sled flipped over during a run in Switzerland, O’Brien’s determination remained unwavering. “I was in a lot of pain,” she recalled, “but at the end of the day, I said, ‘Yes, it is worth the risk.’”
Following the Winter Games, O’Brien intends to return to heptathlon training with hopes of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, joining the ranks of 11 Americans who have competed in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games throughout history. “Despite how challenging the season has been, I have built immense respect for the sport and its athletes. I’m excited about what lies ahead,” she expressed.
Both Gibson and O’Brien embody the spirit of perseverance and exploration, venturing into new athletic realms while remaining committed to their long-term Olympic aspirations. Their stories are a testament to the unpredictable yet rewarding journey of elite sports, inspiring future generations of athletes.