Corinne Stoddard breaks US women’s short track Olympic medal drought with bronze win at Winter Games

Friday’s short track competition at the Milan Cortina Olympic Games was defined by dramatic moments, culminating in a historic breakthrough.

Team USA’s Corinne Stoddard took the podium and became the first American woman to medal in the event in 16 years.

Stoddard, who came into the Games ranked second in the world in short track, captured bronze in the 1,500 meters after overcoming a series of early setbacks. On her first day on the ice in Milan, the 24-year-old slipped three times.

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Corinne Stoddard of the United States celebrates after winning bronze in the women’s 1500 meters short track speed skating at the Milano Ice Skating Arena during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games on February 20, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Stoddard regained his form and seemed to have little trouble getting through the preliminary rounds to reach the final. Once the race began on Friday, she held the lead for much of the event before Kim Gil-li and Choi Min-jeong of South Korea overtook her.

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Kim and Choi won gold and silver, respectively, in the race. Stoddard credited her team for helping her after early stumbles.

Corinne Th of the United States reacts after competing in the women’s 1500 meters short track speed skating at the Milano Ice Skating Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games on February 20, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

“I think after the 1,000 meters, I basically spent the whole day crying in bed,” she said. “I basically came from the depths of hell to get here, and I couldn’t have done it without my team, my staff and my coaches, everyone, just cheering me on and [giving] It gave me the confidence that I could skate like I know how after so many terrible races.

Bronze medalist Corinne Stoddard of the United States celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony in the women’s 1500 meters short track speed skating at the Milano Ice Skating Arena during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, on February 20, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

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“Today was just to prove to myself that I can skate under Olympic pressure and prove to myself that I’m still me. And I did. And I feel like it’s a great way to end such a terrible Olympic Games.”

With her bronze on Friday, Stoddard earned her first Olympic medal. The victory also ended a seven-year medal drought for American short track skaters.

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