Casey Dawson arrived at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium on February 8, 2026, with more than a pink backpack and a pair of skates—he carried the weight of redemption, expectation, and a bit of playful humility. The 25-year-old speed skater from Utah, already a bronze medalist in the team pursuit at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, was set for his highly anticipated run in the men’s 5,000 meter event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
Dawson’s journey to this moment was anything but straightforward. Four years earlier, his Olympic debut had been marred by COVID-related travel chaos. Arriving in Beijing only hours before his 1,500 meter race, he missed the 5,000 entirely. "Last Olympics was kind of a trial run for me, and the whole COVID-19 pandemic tainted the experience," Dawson reflected during a Team USA news conference on February 4. This time around, he was determined to seize every opportunity, competing not only in the 5,000 meters but also qualifying for the 1,500, 10,000, and team pursuit events.
Sunday’s 5,000 meter race, scheduled for 10 a.m. ET, was more than just another event on the Olympic program—it was a litmus test for Dawson’s growth and the state of U.S. long-distance speed skating. The field was unusually open, with none of the 2022 medalists returning, and recent results had positioned Dawson as a legitimate contender. He had shown steady improvement, lowering U.S. national records in long distances and even notching a breakthrough win in the 5,000 meters by a razor-thin margin of 0.02 seconds earlier in the season.
But as the crowd buzzed, including the notable presence of United States Vice President J.D. Vance among the spectators, the race itself proved as unpredictable as ever. Dawson, paired with Italy’s Davide Ghiotto in the eighth of ten groups, stumbled at the start—an uncharacteristic misstep on the world’s biggest stage. "It happens," Dawson told reporters after the race, shrugging off the disappointment with a smile. "On the big stage, there are a lot of nerves." His first six splits ranked ninth or lower, but he clawed his way back with four consecutive laps in the top seven, demonstrating the resilience that has come to define his career.
Ultimately, Dawson crossed the finish line in eighth place with a time of 6:11.88, about 2.25 seconds behind Ghiotto. The medal chase, meanwhile, was a showcase of speed and nerve. Norway’s Sander Eitrem delivered a blistering performance, capturing gold and setting a new Olympic record at 6:03.95—just two weeks after becoming the first person to finish the distance in under six minutes. Czechia’s Metodej Jilek secured silver with a time of 6:06.48, while Italy’s Riccardo Lorello thrilled the home crowd by edging out Ghiotto for bronze, 6:09.22 to 6:09.57.
For Team USA, the result marked another Olympics without a 5,000 meter men’s medal—a drought stretching back to 2006. Yet, Dawson’s presence in the top 10, and his ability to rebound mid-race, underscored his ascent in a discipline long dominated by European powerhouses. "It’s awesome to be here," Dawson said, refusing to let the result dampen his spirits. He knows there are more races—and more chances—still to come in Milan.
Off the ice, Dawson has become something of a cult figure thanks to his pink backpack adorned with hearts, which he’s been seen toting around the Olympic Village. The story behind the accessory? A lost fantasy football bet with 11 fellow skaters. "Whoever loses has to carry this around for the year," Dawson explained in a pre-Games video, adding, "Not just this, but also the foot phone case." The backpack, as he told the Associated Press, "keeps me humble. It keeps me grounded. It puts a smile on my face every time I see it. It’s kind of ridiculous, but it’s fun. It keeps everything fun and light-hearted."
Dawson’s Olympic experience this year was also shaped by the unique setting of Livigno, Italy, where U.S. athletes stayed among the picturesque Alps. The accommodations—highlighted by Chris Bumbaca of USA TODAY—offered a serene backdrop for pre-race preparations, a far cry from the chaos of Beijing’s pandemic restrictions. Still, the temporary track at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium presented its own challenges. "It’s going to be a little bit hard to control the ice temperature because everyone in the stands is going to warm up the building," Dawson commented, noting the variable ice conditions that made the event even more unpredictable. "So it’s definitely hard. So you just kind of have to believe in your skating, trust your skating."
Heading into the Games, Dawson’s form was undeniable. He had competed in four World Cup events in the 500 meter category, winning in Calgary and finishing fourth twice and eighth once. His recent progress in the 10,000 meters—cutting nearly 10 seconds off a longstanding U.S. record—further cemented his status as America’s top long-distance male skater. As the only U.S. man qualified for the Olympic long-distance events, Dawson’s results carried extra weight for Team USA’s fortunes in Milan.
Beyond individual results, Dawson’s performance has broader implications for U.S. winter sports. A strong showing in Milan could spark renewed interest in speed skating back home and boost investment in athlete development and sponsorships. The ripple effects might even stretch internationally, with increased viewership and participation in countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia, as fans rally behind stories of resilience and redemption.
As the dust settles on the men’s 5,000 meter event, one thing is certain: Casey Dawson’s journey is far from over. With the 1,500, 10,000, and team pursuit still ahead, he remains a central figure to watch in Milan. His eighth-place finish, though shy of the podium, is a testament to perseverance—and a reminder that sometimes, the most compelling stories are found not just in medals, but in the grit and grace of the chase.
For Dawson and Team USA, the pursuit continues. The pink backpack, the redemption arc, and the promise of more races ahead—these are the threads weaving together a narrative that’s captivating fans and keeping the Olympic spirit alive in Milan.