Conor McDermott-Mostowy has officially qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics, becoming one of the very few openly gay men to compete in long-track speed skating at the Olympic level.
The Team USA skater secured his spot by winning the men’s 1000-meter event at the U.S. Olympic Trials, locking in his place on the roster headed to Milan Winter Olympics.
For McDermott-Mostowy, this achievement is about far more than a finish time.
A comeback years in the making
The road to Milan has been anything but straightforward.
McDermott-Mostowy narrowly missed the 2022 Winter Olympics after falling ill at the worst possible moment, a setback that forced him to watch the Games from home.
Rather than walking away, he chose to rebuild.
He returned to training with renewed focus, balancing the physical grind of elite speed skating with the mental toll of staying competitive in a sport with limited funding and visibility.
That persistence paid off in dramatic fashion when he crossed the line first at trials, Outsports reports, finally earning the Olympic berth that had slipped away four years earlier.
Out, proud, and visible on the ice
McDermott-Mostowy has long been open about his identity, something still rare in men’s elite winter sports.
In interviews, he has spoken honestly about the challenges of being an openly gay athlete in a traditionally conservative sporting environment.
He has also emphasized how important visibility is, especially for younger athletes who may not yet see a place for themselves in competitive sports.
Simply showing up as himself, he has said, is part of the work.
More than medals
While Olympic qualification is a career-defining achievement for any athlete, McDermott-Mostowy’s moment carries extra weight.
Men’s speed skating has had very few openly gay competitors at the international level, and even fewer who reach the Olympic stage.
His presence in Milan will stand as a reminder that queer athletes belong everywhere excellence is rewarded.
It also highlights how representation in sports continues to expand, even in disciplines that have been slower to change.
Looking ahead to Milan
As the countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics begins, McDermott-Mostowy will now shift his focus to preparation, recovery, and maintaining peak form.
For fans, his qualification already feels like a win.
For queer athletes watching from the stands or from home, it’s proof that perseverance, authenticity, and belief can coexist at the highest level of sport.
And when he steps onto the Olympic ice in Milan, he won’t just be racing the clock.
He’ll be carrying pride, history, and possibility with every stride.