Afton native Jessie Diggins has proudly represented her country at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Now the 34-year-old cross country skiing superstar is preparing for her swan song at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. She announced months ago that she plans to retire upon the conclusion of the World Cup campaign, which means this is the last time she will wear the red, white, and blue as a professional.

It would be storybook ending for Diggins if she could add another gold medal to her collection over the next couple of weeks. She became a household name nearly a decade ago when she teamed up with her childhood idol Kikkan Randall and brought home a gold medal.

You could make the argument that nobody has helped grow the sport more in the U.S. than Diggins over the past decade. She has carried herself with an unmistakable joy that has become her calling card. She also has used her platform to fearlessly advocate for mental health at every opportunity.

That’s something Minnesotans can be proud as Diggins headlines a large contingent from her home state at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Here’s a full list of the Minnesotans set to compete:

MINNESOTA OLYMPIANS

Luci Anderson

Age: 25

Sport: Biathalon

Country: USA

Connection: Golden Valley native

Taylor Anderson-Heide

Age: 30

Sport: Curling (Mixed)

Country: USA

Connection: Gophers alumna

Giorgia Birkeland

Age: 23

Sport: Speedskating

Country: USA

Connection: White Bear Lake native

Matt Boldy

Age: 24

Sport: Hockey (Men’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Wild forward

Josefin Bouveng

Age: 24

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: Sweden

Connection: Gophers forward

Danny Casper

Age: 24

Sport: Curling (Men’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Gophers alumnus

Kendall Coyne Schofield

Age: 33

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Frost forward

Britta Curl-Salemme

Age: 25

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Frost forward

Jessie Diggins

Age: 34

Sport: Cross Country Skiing

Country: USA

Connection: Afton native

Korey Dropkin

Age: 30

Sport: Curling (Mixed)

Country: USA

Connection: Minnesota Duluth alumnus

Joel Eriksson Ek

Age: 29

Sport: Hockey (Men’s)

Country: Sweden

Connection: Wild forward

Brock Faber

Age: 23

Sport: Hockey (Men’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Wild defenseman, Maple Grove native

Margie Freed

Age: 28

Sport: Biathlon

Country: USA

Connection: Apple Valley native

Adam Gajan

Age: 21

Sport: Hockey (Men’s)

Country: Slovakia

Connection: Minnesota Duluth goaltender

Aileen Geving

Age: 38

Sport: Curling (Mixed)

Country: USA

Connection: Duluth native

Jake Guentzel

Age: 31

Sport: Hockey (Men’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Woodbury native

Rory Guilday

Age: 23

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Chanhassen native

Filip Gustavsson

Age: 27

Sport: Hockey (Men’s)

Country: Sweden

Connection: Wild goaltender

Erik Haula

Age: 34

Sport: Hockey (Men’s)

Country: Finland

Connection: Gophers alumnus

Taylor Heise

Age: 25

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Frost forward, Lake City native

Tindra Holm

Age: 24

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: Sweden

Connection: Minnesota Duluth goaltender

Quinn Hughes

Age: 26

Sport: Hockey (Men’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Wild defenseman

Klara Hymlarova

Age: 26

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: Czechia

Connection: Frost forward

Marcus Johansson

Age: 35

Sport: Hockey (Men’s)

Country: Sweden

Connection: Wild forward

Thea Johansson

Age: 23

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: Sweden

Connection: Minnesota Duluth forward

Ida Karlsson

Age: 21

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: Sweden

Connection: Minnesota Duluth defenseman

Zak Ketterson

Age: 28

Sport: Cross Country Skiing

Country: USA

Connection: Bloomington native

Denisa Krizova

Age: 31

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: Czechia

Connection: Frost forward

Emilia Kyrkko

Age: 21

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: Finland

Connection: St. Cloud State goaltender

Jackson LaCombe

Age: 25

Sport: Hockey (Men’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Eden Prairie native

Nelli Laitinen

Age: 23

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: Finland

Connection: Gophers defenseman

Conor McDermott-Mostowy

Age: 27

Sport: Speedskating

Country: USA

Connection: Macalester alumnus

Paula Moltzan

Age: 31

Sport: Alpine Skiing

Country: USA

Connection: Prior Lake native

Abbey Murphy

Age: 23

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Gophers forward

Greta Myers

Age: 21

Sport: Speedskating

Country: USA

Connection: Lino Lakes native

Natalie Mlynkova

Age: 24

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: Czechia

Connection: Gophers forward

Jake Oettinger

Age: 27

Sport: Hockey (Men’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Lakeville native

Aidan Oldenburg

Age: 24

Sport: Curling (Men’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Mapleton native

Kelly Pannek

Age: 30

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Frost defenseman, Plymouth native

Tabitha Peterson

Age: 36

Sport: Curling (Women’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Eagan native

Tara Peterson

Age: 34

Sport: Curling (Women’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Eagan native

Iris Pflum

Age: 22

Sport: Snowboarding

Country: USA

Connection: Minneapolis native

Tereza Plosova

Age: 19

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: Czech Republic

Connection: Gophers forward

Ben Richardson

Age: 27

Sport: Curling (Men’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Richfield resident

Rich Ruohonen

Age: 54

Sport: Curling (Men’s)

Country: USA

Connection: St. Paul native

Paul Schommer

Age: 33

Sport: Biathalon

Country: USA

Connection: St. Scholastica alumnus

Emma Soderberg

Age: 27

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: Sweden

Connection: Minnesota Duluth alumna

Lee Stecklein

Age: 31

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Frost defenseman, Roseville native

Nico Sturm

Age: 30

Sport: Hockey (Men’s)

Country: Germany

Connection: Wild forward

Cory Thiesse

Age: 31

Sport: Curling (Mixed and Women’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Duluth native

Luc Violette

Age: 26

Sport: Curling (Men’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Eagan resident

Svenja Voigt

Age: 21

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: Germany

Connection: St. Cloud State forward

Lindsey Vonn

Age: 41

Sport: Alpine Skiing

Country: USA

Connection: Burnsville native

Jesper Wallstedt

Age: 23

Sport: Hockey (Men’s)

Country: Sweden

Connection: Wild goaltender

Siiri Yrjola

Age: 21

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: Finland

Connection: St. Cloud State forward

Laura Zimmermann

Age: 22

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: Switzerland

Connection: St. Cloud State forward

Grace Zumwinkle

Age: 26

Sport: Hockey (Women’s)

Country: USA

Connection: Frost forward, Excelsior native

United States skip Rich Ruohonen, a St. Paul native, delivers a stone against Canada during the World Men’s Curling Championship on April 7, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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Patriots vs. Seahawks (-4½)

We’ll gather on Super Bowl night

Watching Pats and ‘Hawks in our homes

A matchup that’s feeling just right

Since we don’t have to look at Mahomes

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams (93) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Sam Darnold is here, but not Vikes

Enough to make ‘Sota fans queasy

Sunday, as blood pressure spikes

They’ll just blame it all on ol’ Kwesi

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, right, speaks with quarterback J.J. McCarthy before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Some gambling fever we’re getting

In our Land of 10,000 Lakes

Throughout the Bay Area, we’re betting

Over under: a half-dozen quakes

Paul Budde Sr. Vice President of Catastrophe Modeling discussed the damage from the 6.5 Cambria earthquake, with staff researchers at the Benfield, Bloomington, Mn., firm, that shook San Francisco and Los Angels, California, Dec. 22, 2003 , . sd 6-18-04

On TV, the ‘cast might be awful

Hearing Collinsworth on NBC

But really, we all should be thankful

Game’s gonna be Paul Allen-free

Minnesota Vikings radio announcer Paul Allen walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

New England’s offense will start slow

Its sieve-like O line sowing doubt

By the end of first quarter we’ll know:

It’s time for a Stefon Diggs pout

FILE – New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) leaves the field following an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov 23, 2025, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit, File)

 

Seattle up 10 at the half

The 12th Man’s outlook ever sunny

Then nation gets ready to laugh

At Trump’s loony tweets on Bad Bunny

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In third, Maye tries lighting the fuse

For reviving Pats’ passing attack

But Schefter puts out Breaking News:

You can’t throw too well on your back

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At game’s end, the Seahawks are kings

Draped in rarest Fanatics apparel

The reason Seattle got rings:

It’s no longer coached by Pete Carroll

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Pick: Seahawks 27, Patriots 13

Record

Last week

1-1 straight up

0-2 vs. spread

Season

171-112-1 straight up (.605)

135-149 vs. spread (.469)

All-time (2003-26)

3990-2213-15 straight up (.643)

3046-3028-145 vs spread (.502)

Coming Tuesday: Our extra-special Loop Ten countdown of all things Super Bowl LX.

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X– @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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Today is Friday, Feb. 6, the 37th day of 2026. There are 328 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Feb. 6, 2013, toy maker Hasbro Inc. announced that Monopoly fans had voted online to add a cat token to the board game, replacing the iron.

Also on this date:

In 1778, during the American Revolutionary War, the United States won official recognition and military support from France with the signing of the Treaty of Alliance in Paris.

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In 1862, during the Civil War, Fort Henry in Tennessee fell to Union forces.

In 1899, a peace treaty between the United States and Spain was ratified by the U.S. Senate; the treaty ended the Spanish-American War and ceded the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam to the United States.

In 1952, Britain’s King George VI, 56, died at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England; he was succeeded as monarch by his 25-year-old eldest daughter, who became Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1921, “The Kid,” Charlie Chaplin’s first feature-length film, was released across the United States.

In 1998, Washington National Airport was renamed Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, honoring the former president on his 87th birthday.

In 2022, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated the 70th anniversary of her ascendance to the British throne, an unprecedented reign that made her a symbol of stability in the United Kingdom.

In 2023, a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, toppling thousands of buildings and trapping residents under mounds of rubble; the death toll would eventually surpass 50,000.

Today’s birthdays:

Actor Mike Farrell is 87.
Former NBC News anchorman Tom Brokaw is 86.
Singer Fabian is 83.
Filmmaker Jim Sheridan is 77.
Tennis Hall of Famer Manuel Orantes is 77.
Actor Kathy Najimy is 69.
Actor-director Robert Townsend is 69.
Rock singer Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses) is 64.
Singer Rick Astley is 60.
Actor Charlie Heaton is 32.
Actor Shelby Simmons is 24.

After a heated city council meeting on Monday, the mayor of Farmington has resigned effective immediately.

Joshua Hoyt

Farmington Mayor Joshua Hoyt resigned Wednesday after a contentious city council meeting where he and residents exchanged words, some of them being expletives.

While commenting on a proposed data center, which has faced persistent community backlash, Farmington residents took issue with an enforced five-minute rule for the public commenting period. Each person is given five minutes to speak and once the timer runs out, the mic at the podium is cut and an alarm can be heard.

One resident called the timer “ridiculous” and claimed it was discriminatory against people who speak slower than others.

Tensions grew as one resident refused to leave the podium after five minutes. “You can be done … or I’ll have you removed,” Hoyt said. A video of the meeting shows a law enforcement official approaching the man at the podium and following him out of frame.

“When people come to the podium and they abuse it … then rules have to be put in place,” Hoyt said, to “maintain decorum and order.”

After another exchange with a resident, Hoyt can be heard saying, in a now viral video clip: “We have to hold decorum, that’s how rules work. Otherwise, it’s just a free-for-all, everybody just does what they want when they want and then what? It becomes (an expletive) circus.”

Hoyt’s comment drew more expletives from the crowd, prompting the council to break for a 10-minute recess.

In a letter addressed to the City of Farmington, Hoyt wrote: “After careful consideration, I have come to the difficult decision that I must step away from my role as Mayor to focus on my mental health. This was not an easy conclusion to reach, but it is a necessary one.”

Hoyt was first elected mayor in 2020 and reelected in 2024 with 51% of the vote compared to Paul Larsen’s 47%.

“We are deeply grateful for Mayor Hoyt’s years of dedicated service to the City of Farmington. He truly believes in this community and lives and breathes Farmington,” the city wrote on its website.

Council member Nick Lien will serve as acting mayor. The city council is expected to discuss next steps in filling the vacancy at the March 2 work session.

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