Washington Speedskaters Shine at the Milan Winter Olympics

Why this matters: Their participation highlights the strength of local speed skating programs and inspires aspiring athletes. Their success also brings attention to the dedication and sacrifices required to compete at the Olympic level.

Background

Cooper McLeod and Corinne Stoddard's journey to the Olympics began in local roller rinks, where they honed their skills and developed a passion for skating. Both athletes transitioned to ice skating and trained under Coach Chang Lee, who has a history of developing Olympic medalists.

Cooper McLeod's Journey

After missing the 2022 Olympics by a mere 0.05 seconds, McLeod dedicated himself to improving his performance. He revamped his diet and training routine, leading to qualifications in the 500-meter and 1,000-meter races at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Corinne Stoddard's Journey

Stoddard competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, even after breaking her nose in her first race. Building on that experience, she had a successful 2025 season, securing multiple medals on the World Cup circuit. Stoddard is competing in every women’s event in Milan Cortina, but crashed during the heats of the 500 meter race.

Shared Training and Support

McLeod and Stoddard trained together at the Puget Sound Speedskating Club and later in Salt Lake City. Their shared experiences and mutual support have been crucial to their success.

Actionable Takeaways:

They both started in roller rinks before transitioning to ice skating.

They trained under Coach Chang Lee at the Puget Sound Speedskating Club.

Corinne Stoddard is competing in short track events, including the 500m, 1,000m, 1,500m, mixed relay, and women’s relay. Cooper McLeod is competing in long track events, specifically the 500m and 1,000m races.

What are your thoughts on their journey to the Olympics? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!