Is There an Age Limit for the Olympics?

Young athletesAlthough the Olympics do not set limits on the age of its competitors, sports governing bodies often do.

The Olympics have no official overarching age limit for competitors. However, the international sports federations that govern each sport often do set specific age minimums for competition. The age limits for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games can be found below.

2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games
sport minimum age
*Competitors may be 14 years old if they will turn 15 before March 31st of the current season.
**One competitor on each team must be at least 18 years old.
***Competitors born between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2010, must sign an underage waiver.
Alpine skiing 16
biathlon 21
bobsledding 15*
cross-country skiing 15
curling none**
figure skating 17
freestyle skiing 16
ice hockey 15***
luge 15
Nordic combined 15
short-track speed skating 17
skeleton sledding 13
ski jumping 15
ski mountaineering 18
snowboarding 15
speed skating 17
Teagan Wolter
Citation Information
Article Title: Is There an Age Limit for the Olympics?
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 02 February 2026
Access Date: November 15, 2026