Through the Lens of an Olympian
With the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics underway, we checked in with Kimball Union Academy’s own Olympic success story to ask his thoughts on the Games thus far. Mathematics teacher and Nordic ski coach Justin Freeman competed in the winter Olympics exactly 20 years ago — the last time the Games were held in Italy — as a member of the U.S. Ski Team.
Freeman raced in the Men’s 15-kilometer Nordic event in Turin, where he placed 52nd in a field of more than 90 of the world’s best cross-country skiers.
“For me, actually racing was the greatest and most memorable thing,” Freeman recalled of his Olympic experience. “Walking in the opening ceremonies was also amazing. So many people watching and cheering, excited to see every Olympian — even me! It was also pretty special to hear from so many people. The amount of support was overwhelming and made me feel so good.”
Freeman also reflected on some of his favorite storylines from the Games so far:
What was your reaction to seeing Ben Ogden [grandson of Monk Ogden ‘51] earn the first Olympic medal for a U.S. Nordic skier in 50 years?
“I was very excited to see Ben win a medal. I was particularly impressed by the way he skied, with confident tactics and better speed than anyone besides [Johannes] Klaebo. It was also remarkable that the U.S. joined Norway as the only countries to put skiers in both the men’s and women’s sprint finals.”
Ogden is part of a large contingency of athletes with roots in Vermont and New Hampshire. What does that mean for Nordic skiing locally?
“New England has such a healthy Nordic community already — and there are so many role models on the World Cup — that I am not sure this will have quite the same impact that Bill Koch coming out of nowhere to win a medal had. That said, seeing an American man on the Olympic podium is more meaningful than World Cup results, and will hopefully help to inspire the next generation of Nordic skiers.”
What did you think of Lindsey Vonn’s return to the Olympics at age 41?
“As a 49-year-old who is out racing high school and college skiers multiple weekends this winter, I absolutely understand the urge to continue competing at the highest level you can. If I wasn’t now a mid-pack skier [against collegiate opponents], I might be plotting my own comeback. ... As for the crash, it is awful to see anyone injured, and I hope Lindsey has a full recovery.”
What has been your favorite moment of the Olympics so far?
“I am usually all about the racing and not the award ceremonies, but watching Ogden do a backflip off the podium was pretty cool.”
What are you most looking forward to watching in the remaining days of the Olympics?
“I am excited to see Nordic skier Jessie Diggins go for gold in the 10 km. I am also excited for both our men’s and women’s teams in the Sprint Relay. I think that could be another great day. And I am looking forward to the women’s 50 km, which will be the first time the Olympics has allowed women to race this distance.”
Do these games have you thinking about your own Olympic experience?
“Not a lot — other than to remember that perhaps the greatest perk of staying in the Olympic Village is access to the ambient sound feeds of every event with no interruptions or commentary.”
What would you tell a student who may be inspired to try a winter sport after watching the Olympics?
“Spending time on snow (or ice) is such a fun and rewarding experience, regardless of the level of competition (or non-competition). Cross-country skiing is something pretty much anyone can do. There are racers from age three to at least 88, tourists excited to go a few kilometers, and then a few racers like Ben Ogden and Julia Kern skiing insanely fast in the Olympic final.”