Rich Ruohonen: Oldest US Winter Olympian at 54 | 2026 Milan Olympics

MILAN – Rich Ruohonen, at 54 years old, etched his name into the history books as the oldest American athlete to ever compete in a Winter Olympics. He entered Thursday’s men’s curling match against Switzerland, a game the U.S. Ultimately lost 8-3, during the eighth end as a substitute for Team Casper.

Ruohonen’s appearance broke the previous record held by figure skater Joseph Savage, who was 52 when he competed at the 1932 Lake Placid Winter Olympics, according to reports. Archer Thomas Scott remains the oldest American Olympian having competed in the 1904 St. Louis Games at the age of 71.

Though the U.S. Was trailing significantly when Ruohonen took to the ice, the moment was the culmination of nearly four decades of striving for Olympic participation. “It’s awesome. It’s hard to do it in that situation when we’re getting beat,” Ruohonen told reporters after the match. “I would have rather done it when we were up 8-2 instead of down 8-2. I really appreciate the guys giving me a chance.”

Ruohonen’s journey to the Milan Games was not a solo effort. He served as the alternate for skip Danny Casper, a team that emerged victorious from a competitive U.S. Trials, defeating five-time Olympian John Shuster and his team. They then secured their spot in the Olympics by winning a last-chance qualifier.

The team, comprised of Gen-Z curlers, represents a new wave in the traditionally-paced sport. Ruohonen’s inclusion adds a unique generational dynamic to the squad. He acknowledged the significance of the moment, stating that simply throwing one rock would be “the greatest moment of my life,” a sentiment shared with his family.

Despite the loss to Switzerland, Team Casper’s overall record at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games currently stands at 1-1, having previously defeated Czechia on Wednesday. They have seven more matches remaining in the preliminary round. The U.S. Conceded the match against Switzerland shortly after Ruohonen threw two rocks and swept for his teammates in the eighth end.

Ruohonen’s story is one of perseverance and dedication. He has long been a fixture in the American curling scene, and his Olympic debut, even as an alternate, represents a personal triumph after years of dedication to the sport. Skip Danny Casper emphasized that Ruohonen’s inclusion wasn’t a gesture of favor, but a recognition of his skill and contribution to the team.

The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are currently underway, with Team USA having already secured several medals across various events, including a silver medal for Chloe Kim in Women’s Snowboarding Halfpipe. The Games continue through February 22nd, with live coverage on NBC and Peacock.