The Winter Olympics come around only once every four years—but even rarer is the chance for St. Louis to host the moment when an Olympic team is officially named. That moment arrives this week, as the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Olympic Figure Skating teams will be announced in downtown St. Louis at Enterprise Center following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
The nation’s most elite competitors will take the ice from Wednesday through Saturday as they vie for a coveted spot on the road to Milan this year.
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For St. Louisans wanting to witness the greats, there’s plenty of opportunities.
“There are eight sessions of competition, with two sessions per day Wednesday through Saturday,” says Tim Ryan, director of communications at the St. Louis Sports Commission, the organization that helped bring the monumental event to town. “If you don’t know exactly what you want to see, I’d recommend going to any of the sessions just to experience the event.”
Ryan notes there are still all-session, weekend, and individual session tickets available. For those who want to watch the big moment following the completion of all events, that ceremony will take place on Sunday.
“The competition concludes on Saturday night, but Sunday, at 1 p.m., there is what they’re calling ‘Making the Team,’ and that is something you can get tickets for. The Olympic figure skating team will be announced and revealed live at that event,” Ryan shares. “They will also be doing some exclusive skating performances, as this is their send off to Milan.”
He adds: “It’s the only time this week that all the Olympic figure skaters will be on the ice at the same time.”
Fan-favorites to look out for before they head to Milan
“Ilya Malinin is literally bending the laws of physics and doing things on the ice that no skater has ever done before,” Ryan says. “He’s the odds-on favorite to win the gold medal in Milan, and he’s just on another level.”
The women competing, including Amber Glenn and Alyssa Liu, are also expected to give can’t-miss performances.
“It’s a really stacked category in the women’s division,” Ryan notes. “The four top skaters combined have won seven of the last eight U.S. titles, so it’s an incredible field to watch.”
Ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates are skaters to watch, as the married couple aims for their first Olympic gold as a pair following their 2022 team win for their performances in Beijing.
“They’re coming into their peak form this cycle and are one of, if not the favorite, to win gold in Milan,” Ryan says.
Although the events begin tomorrow, it’s not too late to claim your spot to witness history.
“There are still tickets available for every remaining session,” Ryan says. “Nobody should be afraid to get up off the couch and decide that day to come down to Enterprise Center and see these incredible skaters.”
And for those looking to make a weekend out of it, the local community is getting in on the fun. “Winterfest at Kiener Plaza is really the focal point of the fan activity,” Ryan says. “There are free, family-friendly events, appearances by Olympic legends like Dorothy Hamill and Scott Hamilton, and something for everybody.”
More than 100 years after hosting the 1904 games in St. Louis, the city is all-in on getting into the Olympic spirit—and it’s hugely beneficial to the region, Ryan explains.
“It’s a tremendous honor and privilege to host an event of this caliber, especially in an Olympic year, given St. Louis’ Olympic history and legacy,” Ryan says. “At a time when there’s typically not a lot of tourism in early January, this is a big win for the region. The hospitality industry gets a nice shot in the arm, and we’ll have several nights of prime-time coverage of St. Louis on NBC.”
At the end of the day, Ryan adds, it’s all about bringing uplifting energy to the city, as future Olympians’ lives are changed right here in St. Louis. As Ryan puts it: “This is about using the power and magnitude of this event to inspire people in our region, make the sport accessible to everyone, and encourage people to shoot for their dreams.”
