Corinne Stoddard breaks US women's Olympic short track medal drought with bronze win at Winter Games

Corinne Stoddard made history as the first American woman to win an Olympic short track medal since 2010, claiming bronze in the 1500 meters at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Olympics Corinne Stoddard breaks US women's Olympic short track medal drought with bronze win at Winter Games An American woman hadn’t reached the Olympic podium in the event since 2010 By Chantz Martin Fox News Published February 20, 2026 10:07pm EST Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Fox News Flash top sports headlines for February 20 Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Friday’s short track competition at the Milan Cortina Olympics was defined by dramatic moments, culminating in a historic breakthrough. Team USA’s Corinne Stoddard claimed a podium finish, becoming the first American woman to medal in the event in 16 years. Stoddard, who entered the Games ranked second in the world in short track, captured bronze in the 1,500 meters after overcoming a series of early setbacks. On her first day on the ice in Milan, the 24-year-old slipped three times. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Corinne Stoddard of the United States celebrates after winning bronze in the short track speed skating women's 1500 meters at the at Milano Ice Skating Arena during the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics Feb. 20, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) Stoddard regained her form and appeared to have little trouble skating through the preliminary rounds to reach the final. Once the race began Friday, she held the lead for much of the event before South Korea’s Kim Gil-li and Choi Min-jeong overtook her. AMERICAN JORDAN STOLZ SECURES SILVER MEDAL IN MEN'S SPEEDSKATING 1,500-METER EVENTKim and Choi won gold and silver, respectively, in the race. Stoddard credited her team with helping her after the early stumbles. Corinne th of the United States reacts after competing in the short track speed skating women's 1500 meters at Milano Ice Skating Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games Feb. 20, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images) "I think after the 1000 meters, I basically spent the whole day crying in bed," she said. "I basically came from the depths of hell to get here, and I couldn't have done it without my team and my staff and my coaches, everyone, just lifting me up and [giving] me the confidence that I could skate the way I know how to after so many terrible races. Bronze medalist Corinne Stoddard of the United States celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony for the short track speed skating women's 1500 meters at Milano Ice Skating Arena during the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics Feb. 20, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "Today was just to prove to myself that I can skate under the Olympic pressure and to prove to myself that I'm still me. And I did that. And I feel like that's a great way to end such a terrible Olympics." With her bronze Friday, Stoddard earned her first Olympic medal. The victory also snapped a seven-year medal drought for American short track skaters.Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. Related Topics OlympicsU.S.Trending NewsSports Fox News First Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Arrives Weekdays By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. Subscribe Subscribed Subscribe You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!