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First Black U.S. Skeleton Athlete Aims for Olympic Glory

2/11/2026

30 6 Full Breakdown

History

Curtis Makes History

Air Force Staff Sgt. Kelly Curtis will compete in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics as a skeleton athlete.
Curtis is the first Black athlete to represent Team USA in skeleton.
Curtis ranks 16th globally, aiming to improve on her 21st place at the 2022 Beijing Games.
Curtis trains in Italy at Aviano Air Base to access European tracks.

Right

Jasmine Jones Competes

Jasmine Jones, a U.S. Olympic bobsled member, is competing in her first Olympics in Milan Cortina.
As an Air Force service member and mother, Jones credits training with helping her qualify after missing the 2022 Beijing Games.
She sought stability to focus on bobsledding.
Discipline from basic training has improved her athletic performance.
Fans can send personalized letters to Jones and fellow airman Kelly Curtis through a Team USA program.

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Curtis Makes History

Air Force Staff Sgt. Kelly Curtis will compete in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics as a skeleton athlete.
Curtis is the first Black athlete to represent Team USA in skeleton.
Curtis ranks 16th globally, aiming to improve on her 21st place at the 2022 Beijing Games.
Curtis trains in Italy at Aviano Air Base to access European tracks.

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