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last mo.

Rich Ruohonen, 54, Becomes Oldest U.S. Winter Olympian in Curling Debut

A late substitution with the game out of reach finally put the longtime Minnesota curler on Olympic ice.

Image
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 12, 2026; Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; Rich Ruohonen of United States reacts during the match against Switzerland in a men’s curling round robin match during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Issei Kato/Reuters via Imagn Images
USA's Richard Ruohonen looks on during the curling men's round robin between USA and Switzerland during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 12, 2026. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP via Getty Images)
USA's Rich Ruohonen during the Men's Curling match against Switzerland at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, on day six of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Italy. Picture date: Thursday February 12, 2026. 83439268 (Press Association via AP Images)

Overview

  • Ruohonen entered late against Switzerland to throw two stones, and Team USA conceded an 8-3 loss to move to 1-1 in round-robin play with Canada up next early Friday.
  • He asked the Swiss for a chance to throw so his Olympic appearance would be official, and they agreed, allowing him to record the milestone.
  • His appearance surpassed the U.S. Winter record set in 1932 by 52-year-old figure skater Joseph Savage, a mark widely cited by Olympedia.
  • The personal injury lawyer from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, chased the Games for decades, joined the roster as an alternate after skip Danny Casper’s Guillain-Barré diagnosis, and remained when Casper returned.
  • Earlier this week he criticized ICE operations in Minnesota, and after learning officials said the enforcement surge would end, he voiced relief and called for healing back home.