Newsflash: In spite of its small population, Alaska produces a disproportionate number of elite winter athletes.
According to The Action Network, which tracks U.S. Winter Olympians by their place of birth, Alaska has produced 24 total Winter Olympians garnering 5 winter Olympic medals—placing Alaska#4 in the U.S. for Winter Olympians per capita.
Statistics compiled by The Action Network consider only place of birth—not declared residency—for their data so many notable Olympians such as Tommy Moe and Kikkan Randall were not included. Action Network’s statistics focus exclusively on International Winter Olympics and do not include Paralympics / Special Olympics or Indigenous Games equivalents that would likely boost Alaska’s numbers higher.
According to Kathy Morris, a researcher for The Action Network, 24 total “Alaska born” winter Olympians have won five medals (0 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze)—translating to 32.58 Olympians per million residents. Vermont tracks #1 with 64.96 Olympians per million. Morris cites Alaska’s long winters and love of outdoors as contributing factors. “With its snow-covered landscape and deep connection to winter sports, Alaska is basically an Olympic training ground disguised as a state,” she stated.
Notable Alaskan-born Olympians include:
Hilary Kirsten Lindh – Silver Medalist in Alpine Skiing; competed inOlympics in 1988, 1992, and 1994
Gabrielle Rose “Rosey” Fletcher –Bronze Medal in Snowboarding; competed inOlympics in 1998, 2002; and 2006
Jarret John “JJ” Thomas – Bronze Medal in Halfpipe; competed in 2002 Olympics.
Kerry Pauline Weiland – Silver Medal in Ice Hockey; competed in 2010 Olympics.
Pamela Kristine “Pam” Dreyer— competed inOlympics in 1988, 1992, and 1994
According to an official statement released by Morris,Action Network is a sports media site that publishes original content about sporting events and the athletes who compete in them. You can see the full ranking here.
