Recognizing Vermont Olympians and Medal Winners
Floor Speech
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Mr. WELCH. Mr. President, I join with Vermonters in celebrating the exceptional Vermont athletes who represented the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Our State's athletes competed with great distinction, earning seven medals. The State of Vermont has a proud tradition of producing world-class athletes, and the 2026 Games were a powerful testament to that legacy.
Athletes with Vermont roots and connections won seven medals at the games, representing more than 20 percent of all medals earned by Team USA. Vermont's contribution to American Olympic success this year was historic by any measure.
Across alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and freestyle disciplines, Vermont athletes competed at the highest level and delivered performances that will be remembered for years to come. These achievements did not happen overnight. They are the result of years of rigorous training, personal sacrifice, and an unrelenting commitment to excellence--supported by the world-class coaches and ski schools and training programs that Vermont has long been proud to call its own.
I congratulate Ben Ogden, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Mac Forehand, Jessie Diggins, Paula Moltzan, and Mikaela Shiffrin for medaling. I also applaud Julia Kern, Jess Perlmutter, Jack Young, Sean Doherty, Margie Freed, Maxime Germain, Olivia Giaccio, Deedra Irwin, Lauren Jortberg, and Nina O'Brien for competing and making Vermont proud.
The Winter Games are a reminder of why our winter sports and outdoor recreation communities are so vital to the identity and economy of our State. Vermont's ski areas, trails, and training programs are not only excellent athletic institutions, but they are also the reason generations of young Vermonters have grown up with a love of the outdoors.
We are deeply proud of all our Vermont athletes have achieved, and we wish them continued success as they pursue the next chapters of their athletic careers and beyond. Their accomplishments will inspire young skiers and outdoor enthusiasts across Vermont for generations to come and serve as a lasting reminder of what is possible when talent and the spirit of the Green Mountains come together on the world's greatest stage.
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