U.S. Olympic women’s skeleton athlete Kelly Curtis, an Air Force Staff Sgt., may not have achieved the finish she hoped for at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but she says the experience was still a victory.

Curtis reflected on the honor of representing the United States on the Olympic stage, emphasizing service, pride, and purpose over placement. Competing for her country, she said, outweighed any disappointment with the final result.

In a sport decided by razor-thin margins, Curtis’s perspective resonated with fans — a reminder that for many Olympians, the greatest achievement is the chance to represent something larger than themselves. 🇺🇸