Alex and Maia Shibutani return to competition with sights on 2026 Olympics

According to Time, siblings Alex and Maia Shibutani announced in May that after seven years away from competition they intend to return to ice dancing with the goal of making the U.S. team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The Shibutanis are former national champions and multiple U.S.

championships medalists who became, in 2011, the youngest U.S. team to earn a world championships medal and the first team of color on that podium; they also won Olympic bronze in PyeongChang in 2018. They stepped away after those Games to pursue other interests, explore their Asian American identity and advocacy, and confront personal challenges, including Maia’s 2019 kidney cancer diagnosis and surgery.

The pair have received public enthusiasm from peers and fans and say their new programs intentionally reflect their heritage and maturity. In their first two events back this season they placed sixth and fifth, and after judges’ feedback they reworked their rhythm dance into a new program they plan to debut at the U.S.

Key Topics

Sports, Alex Shibutani, Maia Shibutani, U.s. Championships, Ice Dance