Greta Myers, a 21-year-old U.S. speedskater, made a last-minute Olympic debut in the Women’s 3,000 meters after Czechia’s Martina Sablikova withdrew hours before the race.
Greta Myers was training for other events at the 2026 Winter Olympics when she suddenly became one of the most talked-about athletes of the opening weekend. The 21-year-old learned just hours before the Women’s 3,000 meters race that she would make her Olympic debut after two-time gold medalist Martina Sablikova withdrew from the competition.
The Unthinkable Phone Call
Myers, who was originally not slated to compete in the Milano Cortina Olympics’ long-distance events, received the news she was in the race roughly three hours before the start. She had been preparing for the Women’s 1,500 meters, where the U.S. had qualified positions. But thanks to a quota rule allowing for first-alternate entries based on season timing, she found herself thrust into an even higher-profile arena: the 3,000 meters.
“HEY! I’ll be racing the 3k today!!!! Quite unexpected but I’m so incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to skate and give it my very best!! Let’s go!!!!!”
– Greta Myers, Instagram post, Feb. 7, 2026
Myers’ reaction was typical for an athlete who had spent years training, only to suddenly be told she was making her debut at the Winter Olympics with little time to process. In interviews after the race, she admitted the news came at an incongruent moment—directly after a fall during a high-speed workout.
“When I first heard I was in the 3K, I had just fallen during an effort at top speeds. I was shaken up and frustrated from the fall. After I really processed it that I’d be racing, I couldn’t believe it. When I walked back to the locker room, I started tearing up.”
The Withdrawal That Made It Possible
The reason Myers got the call was Czechia’s Martina Sablikova, a 2010 Vancouver Olympic gold medalist, withdrawing from the event. Sablikova, who has been one of the most consistent long-distance skaters for over a decade, announced her decision Saturday, calling it the “hardest sporting decision of my life.” She said she was feeling “helpless” and “disappointed,” and she apologized to fans and teammates.
Sablikova’s withdrawal is a dramatic storyline in itself. At 39 years old, she had been targeting one more Olympic medal to cap off a legendary career. But without elaborating on specific injuries or health issues, she opted to skip the 3,000 meters, leaving the door open for Myers. It marks the end of an era in long-distance women’s speed skating, as Sablikova has medaled in every Olympics since 2006.
A Fairytale Debut Wrapped in Reality
For Myers, the Olympics race was everything she imagined—and nothing like it. She crossed the line in 20th place with a time of 4:13.46, far from podium contention. But the significance was not in the placement—it was in the debut.
Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida set an Olympic record to win gold in 3:54.28, with Norway’s Ragne Wiklund and Canada’s Valeria Maltais rounding out the medals. But the story will be remembered through Myers’ infectious energy on and off the ice.
“My body is not ready to go yet,” Myers told NBC after the race. “Our team pursuit race is in a week from today, so we’re still training through so we can be really strong on the 14th for the qualification round. I can’t wait to show you all what I have.”
What This Means for Myers’ Legacy
Myers is now the only American woman competing in four events at Milano Cortina: the 1,500 meters, 3,000 meters, 5,000 meters, and the Mass Start. That workload speaks both to her talent and to the speed skating rulebook, which rewards flexibility and depth.
She has yet to podium at a World Cup or World Championship event, but this performance—with its urgency and gratitude—establishes her as the face of U.S. speed skating’s next era. Her ability to seize the moment, even with little notice, hopefully portends a 10-year career of unscripted triumphs.
Fans can expect her to target the team pursuit next week, where her ability to contribute in multiple events will be pivotal if the U.S. wants to threaten medal rounds.
Fan Reactions and Media Verdict
On Instagram, Myers’ post announcing her entry received thousands of likes within minutes. Teammates jacked her up backstage, coaches kept their drip coaching focus while celebrating, and NBC commentators marveled at her rapid Ice Palace metamorphosis from alternate to athlete.
Analysts often point to athletes who instantly learn to thrive amid Olympic-level distractions. Myers, despite her 20th-place showing, showed just that—her interview ease and post-race social media savvy kept her story trending within the Milano Cortina Games maiden weekend.
Her future in skating has clearly expanded—what could happen if she really has an entire week to prepare next time?
The Rule That Changed A Life
- The first-alternate quota spot is based on current season timing results across international competitions. Myers had posted consistent top-15 finishes in World Cup stages, making her the highest-placed American for the slot.
- When Sablikova withdrew, Myers became the automatic replacement, as per the International Olympic Committee and International Skating Union rules.
- Rules also allow for additional alternates in case of last-minute withdrawals, but Myers was the sole alternate for the Women’s 3,000 m.
Milano Cortina 2026: A New Chapter
Italy’s Lollobrigida delivered the home nation its first Olympic gold on ice since Turin 2006, breaking her own European record in the process. Meanwhile, Myers—thrust into the race hours before—still managed her personal best time despite obvious whipsaw adrenaline spikes. It is a testament to the razor-thin line between Olympic alternate and Olympic competitor.
For team USA, it reaffirms the pipeline potential: depth doesn’t guarantee medals, but it guarantees opportunities. Myers embodies that narrative as the Olympics barrel toward its middle weekend.
All eyes are now on February 14, when Myers lines up in the team pursuit qualifying round. If she races with the same passion she displayed over the weekend, expect a medal contention story that begins with today’s surprise debut.
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