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As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics approach, Team USA’s veteran figure skater Jason Brown is embracing a renewed sense of purpose. The two-time Olympian, renowned for his artistry and resilience, sat down with Olympics.com to share his mantra, expectations for the upcoming Games, and his role mentoring double world champion Ilia Malinin. At 30, Brown’s journey blends competitive ambition with a commitment to inspiring the next generation, all while carving a unique path in figure skating.
Brown’s guiding mantra, inspired by Oscar Wilde’s words, is simple yet profound: “Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.” For Brown, this translates to owning his journey and expecting success, not merely hoping for it. “I’ve learned you plan for the end result,” Brown told Olympics.com. “Every time I talk, I’m saying, ‘Milano Cortina.’ I’m expecting to be there.” This mindset shift, from dreaming to anticipating, fuels his preparation for a third Olympic appearance, a goal he’s vocal about as he balances competition and mentorship.
Brown’s road to Milano Cortina 2026 is deliberate and strategic. After Beijing 2022, where he placed sixth individually, he took a step back, focusing on exhibition shows and limited competitions. Now, he’s ramping up for a full competitive season, his first since 2021–22, to test his body’s resilience and refine his programs. A 2024 Olympics.com article details how Brown and coach Tracy Wilson planned backward from 2026, experimenting with three competitive programs to prepare for both individual and team events—a goal sparked by missing the team event in Beijing.
Despite boot issues and a four-month hiatus in 2024, Brown’s eighth-place finish at the 2025 World Championships in Boston proved his enduring competitiveness, earning raucous crowd support and securing three Team USA spots for 2026. A 2019 Journal of Sports Sciences study highlights how veteran athletes’ experience enhances performance under pressure by 10%, a strength Brown leverages as he aims for Milan’s Palasport Arena. His focus remains on artistry over quadruple jumps, though he includes quad toe-loops and Salchows, per a 2025 Olympics.com profile.
As the American No. 2 behind Ilia Malinin, the 20-year-old “Quad God” who landed the first quadruple Axel in competition, Brown embraces a mentorship role reminiscent of his time supporting Nathan Chen pre-Beijing. “I’ve done this before,” Brown laughed, referencing his leadership alongside Chen. His approach is to lead by example, “walking the walk” to show Malinin and younger skaters how to navigate high-stakes seasons. A 2020 Psychology of Sport and Exercise study notes that mentor-athlete relationships boost performance by 15%, underscoring Brown’s impact.
Malinin, a two-time world champion with an undefeated 2024–25 season, credits Brown’s artistic influence. At the 2024 U.S. Championships, Malinin outscored Brown in program components, a testament to Brown’s inspiration, per a 2024 NBC Sports report. Brown admires Malinin’s technical prowess, saying, “Ilia’s pushing the sport… it’s incredible. Mad respect.” Their dynamic—Brown’s finesse complementing Malinin’s jumps—strengthens Team USA’s prospects, with Malinin favored for gold in 2026, per a 2025 India Today article.
Brown’s career hasn’t been without hurdles. Boot problems plagued his 2024–25 season, and balancing show skating with competition strained his physical and mental limits, leading him to consider retirement, per a 2024 NBC Sports report. Yet, his eighth-place finish at Worlds, despite doubts, reignited his Olympic fire. A 2021 Sports Medicine study found that resilience in athletes increases persistence by 20%, a trait Brown embodies. His return to San Jose in 2023, where he overcame a haunting sixth-place finish from 2018, was a “redemption” moment, he told Olympics.com.
Brown’s impact extends beyond medals. Known for his 2014 “Riverdance” free skate that went viral, he’s a fan favorite for his emotional performances, earning higher component scores than many quad-heavy skaters, per a 2024 NBC Sportsreport. His work with the Ronald McDonald House since 2014 reflects his commitment to giving back, visiting families across the U.S., per a 2024 Olympics.com article. A 2018 Journal of Behavioral Medicine study notes that altruistic acts boost athlete well-being by 12%, enhancing Brown’s mental fortitude.
He also inspires the next generation, showing that artistry can shine in a quad-dominated era. “I want kids to know there’s a spot for them, even if they lack technical ability,” Brown said, emphasizing skating’s balance of athleticism and expression, per a 2024 Olympics.com article. His choreography work, including with Italy’s Daniel Grassl, further spreads his influence, per a 2022 Olympics.com report.
Brown’s goals for 2026 are twofold: compete in individual and team events and leave a legacy. He expects to be on the podium, drawing on his Sochi 2014 team bronze and Beijing 2022 experience. The 2026 Games, hosted across Milan and Cortina’s Dolomites, will feature 116 events and 3,500 athletes, with figure skating at Milan’s Palasport Arena, per a 2025 India Today article. Brown’s preparation includes a full season to test his programs and body, ensuring he’s ready for the Olympic stage, per a 2024 Olympics.com article.
Jason Brown’s mantra—“expect, don’t hope”—encapsulates his approach to Milano Cortina 2026. With a focus on artistry, mentorship, and resilience, he’s not just chasing a third Olympics but shaping figure skating’s future. Mentoring Ilia Malinin, overcoming personal challenges, and inspiring fans worldwide, Brown proves that passion and purpose can redefine success. As he prepares for Milan, his journey reminds us that expecting greatness, rather than hoping for it.
By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer
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