WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 120 athletes attended the reception, according to the White House. Nearly half of the Team USA athletes who competed in Italy attended the reception, along with coaches, staff, and other representatives. The event was moved from the stone patio area near the Rose Garden to the East Room due to heavy evening rains.

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers stated that President Trump would proudly celebrate Team USA's historic achievements at the Winter Olympics with a special reception at the People's House. She added that patriotic athletes showed the world American excellence, and their extraordinary performances united everyone in their love of country.

"Today, we’re truly honored to welcome to the White House perhaps the greatest group of Winter Olympians in American history," Trump said. He noted that these men and women sacrificed years of their lives and countless early mornings to be the best in the world.

Stolz became the first American male speed skater to win three individual gold medals at a single Winter Olympics, achieving this feat at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games. He was named the U.S. Speed Skating Athlete of the Year in 2025, recognizing his dominance in the sport following his success at the 2026 Winter Olympics. In 2024, Stolz became the youngest skater to win a world title in a single distance at the 2023 World Single Distances Championships in Heerenveen, Netherlands, at the age of 19. In 2023, he won four gold medals at the World Junior Championships, establishing himself as one of the top young talents in speed skating.

Trump commented on Stolz's physique during the event. "Legs — strong legs. Very strong legs. I said, 'How do I get my legs to look like that?'" Stolz previously placed a gold medal around President Trump's neck during a rally in Wisconsin earlier in the summer.

Athletes presented President Trump with a Team USA jacket and sneakers during the ceremony. Trump promised to hand out special coins and invited attendees to a post-event tour of the Oval Office.

The attendance list reflected some absences among the delegation. Abbey Murphy and Joy Dunne, members of the U.S. women's hockey team, attended the reception. However, members of the U.S. men's hockey team did not attend the reception. The U.S. men's hockey team visited President Trump at the White House in February 2026.

The U.S. women's hockey team declined an invitation to attend the State of the Union address in February, citing academic and personal commitments. Ice dancers Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik indicated in a social media video that they did not want to attend the White House reception. Freestyle halfpipe skier Hunter Hess is not listed as an attendee.

Three hundred U.S. athletes participated in the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. U.S. athletes won a total of 57 medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. 232 Olympians represented Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

33 U.S. Olympians earned medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, including 12 gold medals. The 12 gold medals won by the U.S. Olympic team were the most Team USA has won at a single Winter Olympics.

72 Paralympians competed for Team USA in the 2026 Winter Paralympics. 24 U.S. Paralympians earned medals at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, including 13 gold medals. At the 2026 Winter Paralympics, the U.S. team tied a record by winning 13 gold medals, the same number of golds as the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympics.

Trump addressed broader issues in sports governance during his speech. "We’ve done a lot to help save women’s sports," he said. He called on Congress to pass legislation overhauling the governance of college sports and promised to sign it. Trump stated that the administration was doing everything it could to protect the cherished sporting traditions that have long been part of the nation from the beginning.

The President also looked toward future international competitions hosted by the United States. She noted that the 2034 Winter Olympics will be held in Salt Lake City. He also noted that Los Angeles is hosting the 2028 Summer Games. Donald Trump has previously hosted Olympic and Paralympic athletes at the White House, including a similar event in 2018 for the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, where he honored U.S. athletes with a reception at the White House.

Why It Matters

The reception shows a record-breaking Winter Games for the U.S. where 12 Olympic gold medals marked the highest single-Games total in team history. While honoring these achievements, the event reflected divergent athlete responses to presidential invitations, with some teams attending and others declining due to prior commitments or personal choice. The gathering also served as a platform for the administration to advocate for legislative changes to college sports governance and emphasize protections for women's sports.