Emery Lehman Ends Olympic Career With Silver at 2026 Winter Games

Under the bright lights of Milano Cortina, Emery Lehman skated his final Olympic laps with the same determination that defined his career. When he crossed the finish line, he did more than secure a medal. He sealed his place in history as the most decorated Jewish speedskater ever to compete at the Winter Olympics.

At 29, Lehman concluded his Olympic journey at the 2026 Winter Olympics with a silver medal in the men’s three-man team pursuit. The achievement added to the bronze medal he earned in the same event at the 2022 Beijing Games, giving him two Olympic medals across four Winter Games appearances.

For Emery Lehman, the 2026 Winter Olympics marked both a triumphant finale and the culmination of two decades in elite speedskating.

Lehman first represented the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics and returned again in 2018, steadily building experience and reputation. His final individual Olympic race came at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, where he finished 25th in the 1,500 meters before officially closing the competitive chapter of his career.

When told he now stands as the most decorated Jewish speedskater in Winter Olympics history, Lehman responded with a smile and humility. Yet the distinction carries weight not only for him, but for Jewish sports fans worldwide.

Throughout his journey, Lehman embraced his Jewish identity with pride.

Raised in Chicago attending Hebrew school and synagogue, he carried those roots with him even as his athletic career demanded sacrifices. To train at the highest level, he enrolled at Marquette University in Milwaukee, home base for the U.S. national speedskating team. There, at a Jesuit institution where Jewish students were few, his background stood out.

Rather than distancing himself from his identity, Lehman leaned into it. He has spoken about how those years strengthened his sense of representation, fueling his desire to compete not only for his country but also as a visible Jewish athlete on the global stage.

That connection deepened in 2018 when he participated in a Birthright trip to Israel. The experience left a lasting impression. Lehman described feeling a powerful sense of pride and belonging an emotional bond that extended far beyond the rink.

For many Jewish athletes, competing internationally can carry an added layer of meaning. In a world where Jewish visibility has often been challenged, standing atop the podium with a medal sends a powerful message of achievement and confidence.

Lehman has never hidden the role his family played in shaping his path. He credits his mother, Marcia, a Jewish woman from New York, for being the driving force behind his success. Without her support, he has said, he might never have become a two-time Olympic medalist or a four-time Olympian.

His story is one of dedication, discipline, and identity. Four Olympic Games. Two medals. Countless hours on the ice.

As the 2026 Winter Olympics close this chapter, Lehman’s focus now turns homeward. He plans to return to Chicago, pursue engineering work, and coach at the same skating club where he first learned the sport. Passing on his knowledge to the next generation is a natural next step for an athlete who understands the value of mentorship and community.

He has also expressed openness to leading skating clinics in Israel in the future a fitting bridge between his athletic accomplishments and his Jewish heritage.

Emery Lehman’s silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics is more than a personal victory. It is a moment of pride for Jewish athletes everywhere and a reminder that Jewish excellence shines in every arena, from the halls of academia to the ice of the Olympic Games.

Israel and the global Jewish community celebrate achievements like Lehman’s as part of a broader story one of talent, determination, and deep-rooted identity. Share this inspiring story and subscribe to our newsletter for more uplifting news about Jewish achievement around the world.