As the medals rack up in the Beijing Winter Olympics, it’s always fun to learn more about the athletes on (and off) the podium. But while you might be used to seeing these athletes compete on the big screen and win medals for their country, you might be happily surprised to learn that many are also huge dog fans and parents to some adorable pups!
Chloe Kim & Reese The Cover Girls of the Olympics
When Chloe Kim won Gold at Pyeongchang and became the youngest woman ever to win the women’s halfpipe, she won our hearts. But learning that she is also a dog mom to Reese, the Aussie shepherd makes us even bigger fans! Reese is the perfect pup supporting her as she goes through her training and she even posed on the cover of Sports Illustrated with Chloe!
Ryan Cocheran-Siegle & Nala
Ryan Cocheran-Siegle won Silver in the Men’s Super G ski event on February 7th, continuing on the skiing legacy his mother built. 50 years earlier his mother, Barbara Cocheran won gold in the Women’s Slalom ski event in Sapporo. But just as exciting in our eyes is that Cocheran-Siegle has an adorable pup, Nala the golden retriever who adventures with him!
Julia Marino & Ziggy
Julia Marino won the first medal of these Olympics for team USA when she got silver in Slopestyle, but that’s not her only accolade! Her athletic ability and drive has brought her multiple medals at the X Games and she even turned down a D1 soccer scholarship to further pursue snowboarding. You can often see Julia training and adventuring with her pup Ziggy.
Gus Kenworthy & Birdie the stars of the Olympics
Gus Kenworthy has become quite the familiar face even outside his athletic prowess. Not only does he have his own pup, Birdie, but at the past two Olympics he’s helped rescue pups. Birdie is one of the dogs he rescued while competing in Sochi, and when competing in Pyeongchang, he helped save over 90 pups from a meat farm! A multi-talented and philanthropic king!
Lindsay Jacobellis, Gidget & Gigi
Similar to Kenworthy, Lindsay Jacobellis brought home a pup during her time in Sochi. The most decorated female snowboard cross athlete of all time, she has ten X Games gold medals, an Olympic silver medal, and just became the oldest female athlete to win Gold at the Winter Olympics. She came ready to compete in her fifth (!) Olympics this year. But while we’re happy she finally won her Olympic gold medal, we’re also just happy knowing her pups, Gidget and Gigi, are cheering her on at home!
Shaun White, Steve & Leroy taking over the Olympics
Arguably one of the most famous Winter Olympians, Shaun White is a snowboarding legend. Not only does he have the most X Games Gold Medals and the most Olympic Gold Medals by a snowboarder, but he competed in his 5th Olympics this year. Almost as famous as White are his pups, Steve the French Bulldog and Leroy the Morkie. In fact, Leroy’s Instagram account has over 43,000 followers!
Jessie Diggins & Leo
Finally, Jessie Diggins who won the United State’s first-ever gold medal in cross country skiing at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, has already won a medal at Beijing this year when she got third in the Women’s Sprint event. But as important in our mind (if you haven’t guessed already!) is her pup Leo! They run together and Jessie considers Leo a great motivator for getting out of the house to train.
Here’s to some of the most incredible Olympic athletes (and their sweet sidekicks!).
