Huskies at the Winter Olympics
Husky pride is headed to the world stage as two University of Washington alumni step into Olympic history. Anna Gibson will make her debut for Team USA in the first‑ever Ski Mountaineering event, pushing the boundaries of endurance and grit, while Luc Violette takes to the ice with Team USA Curling, bringing precision, power and a decade of dedication to his sport. Together, they embody the purple and gold as they chase Olympic glory.
Anna Gibson
Anna Gibson, an accomplished multi‑sport athlete and University of Washington alum, transitioned from track, cross‑country, and Nordic skiing into ski mountaineering, where she immediately made history by winning her first World Cup mixed relay with teammate Cam Smith to qualify Team USA for the 2026 Olympic debut of SkiMo.
Photo by Owen Crandall / teamusa.com
Luc Violette
Born and raised in western Washington, and a graduate of the University of Washington, Luc Violette followed in his father Tom’s championship footsteps to become a standout curler for Team USA, earning multiple junior national titles and international medals before qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Photo by Getty Images / teamusa.com
Olympic excellence isn’t only found on the slopes or the ice. It’s also carried by those who bring these moments to the world. That’s where University of Washington alumna Thuc Nhi Nguyen steps in, not as an athlete, but as a sharp, insightful journalist covering the Games for the Los Angeles Times, capturing the stories and the spirit that define this global event.
A Sports Obsession Inspires a Career
UW alumna Thuc Nhi Nguyen turned a childhood obsession with sports media into a thriving journalism career, shaped early by her years reporting and editing for The Daily at the University of Washington. Now a sports reporter for the Los Angeles Times, she covers the Lakers and the Olympics, reflecting on how her UW training prepared her to thrive in one of the country’s premier newsrooms.
Together, the stories of Anna Gibson, Luc Violette, and Thuc Nhi Nguyen reflect the many ways Huskies shape the Olympic experience as competitors, storytellers and leaders on the world stage. They are part of a much larger legacy of UW alumni who have carried that same spirit into the Winter Games across generations. Below, explore a history of Huskies who have represented the United States at the Winter Olympics, each contributing to the University of Washington’s enduring Olympic tradition.
Husky Winter Olympians
| Athlete | Olympic Games | Event(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Don Fraser1 | 1936 | Slalom |
| Hillary Lindh2 | 1988 | Combined, Super G, Downhill |
| Hillary Lindh2 | 1992 | Super G, Downhill (Silver Medalist) |
| Hillary Lindh2 | 1994 | Super G, Downhill |
| Erin (Porter) Bembry | 1998 | Short track speed skating |
| Erin (Porter) Bembry | 2002 | Short track speed skating |
| Anna Gibson | 2026 | Ski mountaineering |
| Luc Violette | 2026 | Curling |