In a stunning move that signals the end of an era, Switzerland has omitted 44-year-old ski-jumping icon Simon Ammann from its roster for the Milan Cortina Olympics, ending his historic quest to become the first athlete to compete in eight Winter Games.
The world of ski jumping will witness the end of one of its most remarkable stories as Switzerland’s Olympic selectors left 44-year-old great Simon Ammann off the 175-athlete team named for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics. The decision, announced Monday, officially closes the door on Ammann’s unprecedented opportunity to compete in an eighth consecutive Winter Games, a feat that would have tied the all-time Winter Olympics record.
Ammann’s career is the stuff of legend. He first burst onto the global stage at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, capturing gold medals in both the individual normal hill and large hill events. His victory, complete with his signature spectacles and boyish charm, made him an instant international star, even landing him a spot as a studio guest on David Letterman’s late-night show. He added two more golds at the 2010 Vancouver Games, cementing his status as one of the greatest ski jumpers in history.
For 28 years, Ammann was a constant presence at the Winter Games, competing in every edition since his debut in 1998 in Nagano, Japan. An eighth appearance in Milan-Cortina would have tied him with Japanese ski jumper Noriaki Kasai and German speed skater Claudia Pechstein for the most participations in Winter Olympic history, a detail confirmed by the history site Olympedia. Kasai famously achieved the record by taking a silver medal at the age of 41 in Sochi in 2014, an event where Ammann finished 23rd.
While Ammann’s longevity was remarkable, his performance on the World Cup circuit this season did not warrant selection. His best result was a 20th-place finish, and he last stood on a podium in January 2018. The Swiss selectors have opted for youth, choosing 19-year-old Felix Trunz, who was not yet born when Ammann won his first Olympic golds in Salt Lake City. This generational shift underscores the brutal reality of elite sports, where even the most decorated legends must eventually make way for the next wave of talent.
The Swiss team for Milan-Cortina is headlined by Alpine skiing superstar Marco Odermatt, who is a strong medal contender in downhill and super-G and will defend his giant slalom title. He joins defending champions Corinne Suter in women’s downhill and Ryan Regez in men’s skicross as part of a formidable squad. The Milan Cortina Olympics are scheduled to open on February 6, 2026.
For fans, this decision marks the definitive end of an unforgettable chapter in sports history. Simon Ammann’s name is synonymous with resilience and excellence, and his absence from the Olympic stage leaves a void that will be felt by athletes and spectators alike. His legacy, however, is already secured—not in a potential eighth appearance, but in the four gold medals and the indelible mark he left on the sport he loves.
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