Winter Olympians Carrying Forward Their Families’ Legacies on the Ice and Snow
MILANO CORTINA, Italy — The 2026 Winter Olympics are not only a global celebration of athletic prowess but also a remarkable showcase of family legacies in sport. Among the competitors are numerous athletes whose parents once stood on the same Olympic podiums, passing down a heritage of dedication and excellence. This generational continuity is especially pronounced in the U.S. hockey and winter sports teams, where the spirit of competition runs deep in the bloodlines.
Take Azaria Hill, a U.S. bobsledder whose parents are Olympic legends in their own right. Her mother, Denean Howard-Hill, earned gold and silver medals in track and field across three Summer Games, while her father, Virgil Hill Sr., won a silver medal in boxing at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Azaria told Women’s Health that growing up with Olympian parents instilled in her a fierce competitive nature and work ethic. She is notably the first in her family to pursue a winter sport, marking a new chapter in their Olympic story.
Meanwhile, Mexican alpine skier Lasse Gaxiola and his mother Sarah Schleper are making history together. Schleper, who competed for the United States in four Winter Olympics before switching allegiance to Mexico in 2014, is now competing alongside her son. This marks the first time a mother and son have represented the same country in the same sport simultaneously at the Winter Games. Schleper expressed pride and gratitude for the journey on her official Olympic profile, highlighting how training and competing together has strengthened their bond.
In a poignant story of resilience, U.S. figure skater Maxim Naumov honors the memory of his late parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, both former Russian pairs skaters who competed in the early 1990s. Tragically, they perished in a 2025 plane crash. Maxim carries forward their legacy not only by competing but also by leading the Tomorrow’s Champions program, dedicated to nurturing young skaters. He shared with People Magazine how he feels their presence guiding him every day on the ice.
Other athletes with Olympian parents include Malaysian alpine skier Aruwin Salehhuddin, whose father competed in slalom canoeing at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Aruwin is the first female athlete to represent Malaysia at the Winter Olympics, a milestone she credits to her father’s unwavering support and example. Similarly, U.S. cross-country skier Novie McCabe follows in the footsteps of her mother, Laura McCabe, who competed in the 1994 and 1998 Winter Games.
These family stories underscore the profound impact of Olympic heritage on the athletes’ careers and identities. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee notes that such legacies often provide young athletes with unique insights into the demands of elite competition and a deep-rooted passion for their sport.
As the Winter Olympics continue, the presence of these second-generation athletes adds a compelling narrative to the competition — one of tradition, perseverance, and the enduring power of family. Their journeys remind us that the Olympic spirit is not only about individual achievement but also about the ties that bind generations in pursuit of excellence.
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