A Look Back at Northeastern PA’s Local Ties to the Winter Olympic Games
Since 1924, the Winter Olympic Games have captivated international audiences with incredible feats of athleticism and national pride. And right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, we’ve had our own share of Olympic moments. Several athletes with roots in NEPA have stepped onto the world stage at both the Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics. Whether they were gliding across the ice, shredding down a mountain or standing proudly on the medal podium, they had all of NEPA behind them.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy begin this Friday, February 6 and run through February 22 followed by the Paralympic Winter Games from March 6 – 15. Soon, athletes from across the globe will converge on Northeastern Italy to compete for gold medal glory and for their families and fans back home.
As the 2026 Games approach, we’re revisiting the stories of those local legends who prove that the road to Olympic glory can begin anywhere — even in our quiet corner of Pennsylvania.
Adam Rippon – Figure Skating
Adam Rippon, originally of Clarks Summit, became one of the standout athletes in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. He made history as the first openly gay man to qualify for the US Winter Olympic team. He then went on to earn the bronze in the team figure skating event.
Rippon quickly rose to stardom and became one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2018. His victories continued off the ice when he won season 26 of Dancing with the Stars.
Rippon’s memoir, Beautiful on the Outside, recounts his rise to fame, including his childhood in NEPA. In it, you’ll find nods to local spots like the former skating rink at the Lackawanna County Stadium (now PNC Field) and the Ice Box (now Revolution Ice Centre).
Stephanie Jallen – Alpine Skiing
Stephanie Jallen of Harding first discovered her love for skiing at nine years old when she attended an adaptive ski clinic at Camelback Mountain in Tannersville. Jallen was born with a rare condition called CHILD syndrome, which left her with one leg and one fully developed arm.
She made the US national team at just 15 years old and quickly started racking up medals on the national and global levels. She competed in the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia, and came home with bronze medals in the super-G and the super combined. Jallen returned to the Paralympics in 2018, where she placed 5th in the super combined, 8th in the downhill, 10th in the super-G, and 10th in the giant slalom.
Jayson Terdiman – Luge
Jayson Terdiman was born in East Stroudsburg and grew up in Berwick. The American luger competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where he finished 6th in the team relay and 11th in doubles with Christian Niccum. He returned to the Olympics in 2018, where he finished 4th in the team relay and 10th in doubles with Matt Mortensen. In 2020, Terdiman earned a bronze medal in the mixed team event at the World Luge Championships in Sochi, Russia.
In addition to being a two-time Olympian, Terdiman has also been a National Champion and a two-time medalist at the World Championships.
Mike Minor – Snowboarding
Mike Minor grew up in Waymart and attended Western Wayne High School. Now living in Colorado, he is an accomplished snowboarder and skateboarder.
Minor, who was born without part of his right forearm, began snowboarding when he was seven years old. He made his international debut in 2015. Within just a few seasons, he earned World Championship and World Cup titles and became the most decorated male adaptive snowboarder in history. In 2017, he was nominated for the ESPY Award for Best Male Athlete with a Disability.
Minor’s accomplishments didn’t stop there. He competed in the 2018 Winter Paralympics, where he won gold in the banked slalom and bronze in the snowboardcross. Minor also took home a bronze medal at the 2019 Summer X Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
WBS Penguins Alumni – Ice Hockey
Several Olympic hockey players and coaches can trace their careers back to the Mohegan Arena. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins boast countless alumni who have represented Team USA, as well as other countries, at the Olympics.
Former Penguins captain David Warsofsky played defense for the US Olympic Hockey Team at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. Warsofsky, originally from Massachusetts, played with the Penguins during the 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2019-20 seasons. Additionally, five former Penguins coaches were selected for the 2022 Team USA’s hockey operations staff. The 2022 coaching lineup included Bill Guerin, John Hynes, Mike Sullivan, Todd Reirden, and Andy Saucier.
For the 2026 Games, Guerin, Hynes and Sullivan will return to their respective roles in coaching and team management. In addition, Wilkes-Barre native, former Pens’ Equipment Manager and current Equipment Manager for the Florida Panthers, Teddy Richards will oversee equipment management duties for Team U.S.A.
Don’t Miss a Minute of the Action
The excitement is building as the 2026 Winter Olympics take place in Milano Cortina, Italy, from February 6–22, followed by the Paralympic Winter Games from March 6–15. Whether you’re a fan of ice hockey, figure skating, skiing, snowboarding, or luge, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So grab a blanket, settle in, and get ready to cheer on the world’s best as they compete for glory on the snow and ice.
Article updated from its original version published on 1/24/22.
Featured Photo (Top): © 2012 / Comité International Olympique
(CIO) / FURLONG, Christopher
