The Few and The Proud

Day 2: Some athletes are going it alone

Feb 07, 2026

The 2,916 athletes competing at the Olympics hail from 92 different nations (and the “independent” team of Russians), but not every delegation is created equal. At one end of the spectrum is the usual suspect: Team USA arrives 232-strong, including 98 returning Olympians and 18 Gold Medalists. (Host Italy is tied for 3rd largest team, with 195 athletes.)

And then there are those nations whose hopes rest on a single pair of shoulders - the 15 athletes who are the sole member of their team. Many are not a surprise - tiny, flat, or tropical countries with little snow and ice like Monaco, Kenya, Malaysia, and Pakistan. These countries, like most one-athlete teams, sent a single skier.

Puerto Rico’s sole Olympian, Kellie Delka *(Photo: Getty Images)*

The one-woman team you probably weren’t expecting, though, is Puerto Rico. Of course, Puerto Rico is part of the United States, but not at the Games. The IOC considers some territories (also including Hong Kong) independent Olympic nations, and Puerto Rico has a proud Olympic tradition dating back to 1948 and including 12 medals. This winter it is two-time Olympian Kellie Delka carrying the island’s flag and its dreams of a first Winter Olympics medal. Oh, and Kellie isn’t a skier. She competes in the insane sport of skeleton.

What To Watch Today

(All times Eastern. Full event replays available on-demand on Peacock)

The first full day is packed with 12 hours of events and lots of Team USA, including Women’s Ice Hockey against Finland. The first five Gold Medals will also be awarded - starting with the fastest man on snow (Men’s Downhill) and ending with possibly the craziest (Men’s Snowboard Big Air).

4:05 am - Curling: Mixed Doubles Round Robin (four matches)
4:30 am - Freestyle Skiing: Women’s Freeski Slopestyle Qualis 🇺🇸
5:30 am - Alpine Skiing: Men’s Downhill 🥇 🇺🇸
6:10 am - Ice Hockey: Women’s Prelim. Round - GER vs JPN
7:00 am - Cross-Country Skiing: Women’s 10km + 10km Skiathlon 🥇 🇺🇸
8:00 am - Freestyle Skiing: Men’s Freeski Slopestyle Qualis 🇺🇸
8:35 am - Curling: Mixed Doubles Round Robin (four matches) 🇺🇸
8:40 am - Ice Hockey: Women’s Prelim. Round - SWE vs ITA
10:00 am - Speed Skating: Women’s 3000m 🥇
10:40 am - Ice Hockey: Women’s Prelim. Round - USA vs FIN 🇺🇸
11:00 am - Luge: Men’s Singles Runs 1&2 🇺🇸
12:45 pm - Ski Jumping: Women’s Normal Hill 🥇
1:05 pm - Curling: Mixed Doubles Round Robin (four matches) 🇺🇸
1:30 pm - Snowboarding: Men’s Big Air Finals 🥇 🇺🇸
1:45 pm - Figure Skating: Team Event - Men’s Short Program
3:10 pm - Ice Hockey: Women’s Prelim. Round - SUI vs CAN
4:05 pm - Figure Skating: Team Event - Ice Dancing, Free Dance