Team USA Cross-Country Skier Hopes Historic Medal Inspires Americans To Take Up His Sport

2 1 minute read

After clinching a silver medal in the Olympic classic sprint and ending a 50-year medal drought for the U.S. men’s cross-country team, U.S. skier Ben Ogden is hoping to inspire a new era for his sport in his home country.

While Jessie Diggins has brought success to the U.S. women’s team, the men’s team has struggled to keep up with their Scandinavian rivals. The last Olympic medal won by an American man in cross-country skiing was Bill Koch’s silver in the 1976 Olympics.

Ogden expressed his hopes for the future of cross-country skiing in the U.S., stating, “I hope this propels us into the next 50 years.” Earlier this year, Ogden and teammate Gus Schumacher achieved a historic third-place finish in the men’s team sprint World Cup.

Ogden’s impressive performance in the Olympic sprint saw him finish second in the qualification round and dominate his rivals in the quarter-finals. Although he lost to Norway’s Johannes Klaebo in the final, Ogden remains determined to continue his pursuit of success.

Off the track, Ogden is known for his light-hearted nature, joking about his recent knitting obsession at a press conference. His fellow skiers, Julia Kern and Jessie Diggins, were thrilled by his achievement, with Kern describing it as “incredibly special” and Diggins expressing her pride on social media.

Team USA’s Ben Ogden celebrates at the end of men’s cross-country skiing sprint classic at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium on Tuesday in Val di Fiemme, Italy.

Image Photo Agency via Getty Images

Silver medalist Ben Ogden performs a backflip off the podium during the medal ceremony on Monday.

Ben Ogden’s success at the Olympics has not only made history but also inspired a new wave of hope for American cross-country skiing. His determination and spirit are sure to impact the sport for years to come.

(Reporting by Liz Hampton and Tommy Lund in Tesero, Italy; Editing by Hugh Lawson)