OLYMPIC LEGACY

Burke Mountain Academy will be represented at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy, by five alumni and a current ETeam athlete: Xavier Cornella '19 (AND), Tomas Holscher - ETeam (CHI), Harry Laidlaw ’14 (AUS), Nina O’Brien ’15 (USA), Britt Richardson ’21 (CAN), and Mikaela Shiffrin ’13 (USA). Their selection continues a tradition spanning more than five decades, with BMA athletes earning Olympic starts across generations, disciplines, and national teams since the Academy’s founding in 1970. This year, a total of 40 BMA Athletes have competed in the Winter Olympics spanning five decades!

Since its founding in 1970, Burke Mountain Academy has been connected to the highest levels of alpine ski racing. From the beginning, BMA was built around a clear and focused idea: student-athletes can pursue academic growth while fully committing to the long-term development required to compete at the highest level of alpine ski racing.
 

BMA athletes have competed in 14 Olympic Winter Games from 1976 through 2026, representing 9 countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and more. The school's participation spans every Olympic decade, reflecting the Academy’s ongoing commitment to long-term athlete development.

Burkies have earned 10 Olympic and Paralympic medals, including gold and silver from athletes such as Diann Roffe ’85 and Mikaela Shiffrin '13, with 6 medals coming from Paralympic competition. Beyond podium finishes, many Burkies have built long careers on World Cup circuits, at World Championships, and on national teams, demonstrating the BMA's ability to prepare athletes for success on the world stage.

Olympians often credit BMA not only for technical development but also for instilling habits of hard work, self-reliance, and accountability. As Nolan Kasper ’07 reflected, “Having the fundamentals and the value of hard work that was instilled in me at Burke has proven invaluable.” Diann Roffe ’85, two-time Olympic medalist and current Junior Program Director, has said the Academy offered a place “to focus solely on pursuing that passion (of ski racing),” fostering the dedication that supports success.

Nina O’Brien ’15, heading to her second Olympic Games, shared, “I’m beyond excited to be heading to my second Olympic Games and so grateful to everyone who helped make this dream possible. Those early mornings on Training Hill meant more than I knew at the time. Burke will always be a huge part of my story, and the support of the entire BMA community has shaped who I am today. To my classmates, coaches, teachers, and alumni, thank you for creating a culture that pushes us all to be better skiers, thinkers, and people. I’m incredibly proud to represent that community at the Olympics.”

BMA’s Olympic legacy continues today, with current athletes training under programs informed by decades of experience, including expanded opportunities for European racing. Olympians past and present reflect the Academy’s enduring mission: to champion ski racers chasing greatness.