Winter Olympics: Ellie Kam, Danny OShea chase historic pairs medal

Published: Monday, February 16, 2026 at 4:08 am

American Skaters Eye Historic Pairs Medal at Winter Olympics

MILAN - American pairs skaters Danny OShea and Ellie Kam are vying for a historic medal at the Winter Olympics. OShea, at 35, is the oldest skater to make their Olympic debut since 1948 and the oldest Team USA Olympic pairs skater since 1932. He and Kam have already secured a gold medal in the team competition.

The journey to the Olympics has been long and arduous for OShea. He faced numerous challenges, including two retirements, five partner changes, coaching changes, injuries, and personal struggles. His partnership with Kam began after he briefly retired and took up real estate.

In the pairs short program, OShea and Kam placed seventh with 71.87 points, trailing Canada's Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud by less than three points. Germany's Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin currently lead the competition.

OShea's path to the Olympics was marked by setbacks. He competed with Tarah Kayne, earning a silver medal at Four Continents. They later won the U.S. Championships but faced injuries and a split. OShea then partnered with Chelsea Liu, but an on-ice accident led to their withdrawal from the U.S. Championships.

Kam and OShea qualified for the 2023 World Championships, finishing twelfth. They won their first U.S. title together in 2024. Despite a foot injury for OShea and a concussion for Kam, they persevered. Their performance in the team competition, including a fourth-place finish in the free skate, contributed to Team USA's gold medal victory.

BNN's Perspective: The story of OShea and Kam is a testament to perseverance and the pursuit of a dream. While the challenges faced by OShea highlight the demanding nature of competitive figure skating, their success in the team event and their current position in the pairs competition offer a compelling narrative of resilience and dedication. Their performance is a reminder that age is just a number and that the pursuit of excellence can be achieved through unwavering commitment.

Keywords: Winter Olympics, Danny OShea, Ellie Kam, pairs skating, Team USA, medal, figure skating, Olympic debut, gold medal, short program, free skate, injuries, perseverance, competition, Milano Cortina Games

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