MILAN — Spencer Akira Howe is experiencing an Olympics unlike any other. The pairs figure skater is making his debut at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, not only representing Team USA but also balancing the demands of being a U.S. Army soldier. His journey to the Games is a testament to dedication, discipline and a long-held desire to serve his country, a path that unexpectedly converged with his athletic aspirations.
Howe’s story is one of dual commitment. For years, a career in the military lingered as a future possibility, something he envisioned from a young age. But as his figure skating career progressed, it seemed increasingly out of reach. That changed in 2024 when he connected with a track and field athlete participating in the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), a program designed to support elite athletes in continuing their military service while competing at the highest levels. According to the U.S. Army, WCAP allows active duty, National Guard, and reserve soldiers to pursue their athletic dreams alongside their military obligations.
A Soldier on the Ice
“A spark lit up in me,” Howe told USA TODAY Sports. “It was a win-win.” He enlisted in the Army in October 2024, becoming the first figure skater to join WCAP. Four months later, he began basic training at Fort Carson, Colorado. Balancing the rigorous demands of military training with the precision required for elite figure skating proved challenging. “I wasn’t able to skate for the four months that I was gone during those trainings. I experience that was definitely one of the most difficult things, logistically,” he said. “Being off of the ice for that long, it’s definitely not ideal. There was no way around it.”
Returning to the ice in late June after a nearly five-month hiatus required readjustment. It took a month to regain his rhythm, but Howe believes the experience ultimately proved beneficial. “I arrive with more of a soldier mindset, and I look at things as tasks that as a soldier I need to complete,” he explained. “Everything was so different, but for good reason.”
A Rocky Road to the Olympics
The 2025-26 season saw Howe and his partner, Emily Chan, achieve promising results, including a bronze medal at the 2025 Trialeti Trophy and a fourth-place finish at 2025 Skate America. These performances set the stage for the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, where Olympic berths were on the line. The championships, still, began with a setback. The pair struggled in their short program, marred by several falls, placing them in eighth position out of ten teams. Chan reportedly described the performance as a nightmare, and the pressure began to mount.
Despite the initial disappointment, Howe drew upon his military training to refocus. He reminded himself that, despite the challenges, there was still a job to do. The duo responded with a strong free skate, earning the third-highest score in the group and ultimately securing a fourth-place overall finish – their second consecutive “Pewter” medal at the national championships.
Securing a Spot in Milano Cortina
The path to the Olympics became clearer when it was determined that the champions, Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, and the third-place finishers, Katie McBeath and Daniil Parkman, were ineligible for the Games due to citizenship requirements. As reported by USA Today, this paved the way for Howe and Chan to earn the second pairs Olympic spot for the United States. The official announcement that they would be competing in their first Winter Olympics came in January 2026.
“It was definitely just a crazy journey for us,” Howe said.
Howe and Chan competed in the pairs portion of the competition on February 15-16. Throughout his time in the Olympic Village, Howe continued to maintain contact with his unit, completing remote check-ins with his platoon sergeant. He is one of nine Team USA athletes participating in the Games who are also members of the WCAP.
Following the Olympics, Howe will return to his duties as a motor transport operator. He also has aspirations of becoming a military chaplain and is currently pursuing the necessary education. His commitment to both his athletic and military careers exemplifies a unique dedication to service and excellence.
Spencer Akira Howe’s story is a compelling example of the dedication and sacrifice embodied by the athletes representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics. His journey highlights the possibilities that emerge when passion and duty converge.
The next step for Howe and Chan will be their continued training and competition as they pursue their goals in figure skating, while also fulfilling their obligations to the U.S. Army. Readers interested in following their progress can find updates on the official Team USA website and through U.S. Figure Skating news releases.
What do you think about Howe’s unique path to the Olympics? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
