The countdown to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is well underway, with the global sporting spectacle set to captivate audiences from February 2026. While over 3,500 athletes from 93 nations prepare to compete across 16 disciplines—from curling and cross-country skiing to ice hockey—another group is generating significant buzz: the partners of these elite competitors.
The Glamorous Entourage Heading to Italy
As athletes finalise their training regimes, their significant others are making their own preparations to descend upon Italy's dual host locations: the fashion capital Milan and the picturesque ski resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Dolomites. This tradition of partners supporting from the sidelines has evolved into a phenomenon of its own, with many WAGs (wives and girlfriends) and HABs (husbands and boyfriends) commanding substantial social media followings and public fascination.
Notable Names to Watch
Among the most anticipated arrivals is American snowboarder Chloe Kim, whose relationship with Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has created what fans are calling a "sports power couple." Garrett, who recently broke the NFL single-season sack record, has seen his romance with the Olympic champion become a major talking point across social media platforms.
Similarly, influencer Kiley McAvoy—married to Boston Bruins defenseman and Team USA hockey player Charlie McAvoy—has cultivated an Instagram following exceeding 13,000 through posts showcasing her luxurious lifestyle, including summer trips to Nantucket with their young son Rhys and glimpses of their stunning 2023 Boston wedding. The daughter of New York Rangers head coach Michael Sullivan, Kiley represents the intersection of sporting dynasties and social media influence.
Olympic Power Couples
The 2026 Games will feature several couples where both partners are elite athletes. Figure skaters Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who compete together for Team USA, exemplify this dynamic. With over 134,000 Instagram followers, Chock has leveraged her platform as a Ralph Lauren brand ambassador and model for Kim Kardashian's SKIMs collection, while the pair's competitive achievements include multiple gold medals and a recent upgrade to Olympic gold following a doping disqualification.
Another notable athletic partnership is that of British speed skaters Cornelius Kersten and Ellia Smeding, who are both competitors and romantic partners. Kersten made history as the first British representative to win a World Championship bronze in the 1000m event, while Smeding holds British records in multiple distances.
Social Media Sensations
The digital presence of these partners has become integral to the Olympic narrative. Caitlin Suzuki, wife of Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki, boasts over 21,000 Instagram followers where she recently announced their pregnancy and documented an Aspen bachelorette party featuring $900 hats. Meanwhile, Hillary Trocheck—married to New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck—shares family moments with their two children while occasionally showcasing luxury accessories like her $7,000 Chanel bag at games.
Even partners preferring more privacy, like Hayley Stone (wife of Vegas Golden Knights player Mark Stone), maintain curated Instagram presences with thousands of followers, offering glimpses into their lives while supporting charitable causes through unconventional wedding registries.
Beyond Traditional WAGs
The spotlight extends beyond female partners, with several husbands and boyfriends attracting attention. Nic Taylor, husband of five-time Olympic medalist bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor, balances his own athletic career with chiropractic work, while their relationship story—beginning with a phone call about lost paperwork—has captured public imagination.
Similarly, Team GB bobsledder Brad Hall's relationship with former bobsledder Nicole Magaj, and Taylor Lawrence's marriage to nail technician Emily Jo Lawrence—who recently welcomed their first child—demonstrate the diverse backgrounds and stories within this community.
A Modern Olympic Tradition
As the Games approach, the fascination with athletes' partners reflects broader cultural shifts where personal narratives and digital presence complement sporting achievement. From recovery stories like alpine skier Lindsey Vonn's comeback from injury to the glamorous sidelines presence of partners, the human stories surrounding the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics promise to be as compelling as the competitions themselves. With social media amplifying every moment, these WAGs and partners are poised to become integral characters in the Olympic drama unfolding in the Italian Alps and urban arenas.
