As the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan recently came to a close, we’ll highlight our last world-class immigrant athlete who competed for Team USA in Italy. Today, we spotlight Ukrainian American skater Vadym Kolesnik.
Born in Ukraine in 2001, Vadym Kolesnik was three years old when his grandmother first laced up his skates. As a teenager, he immigrated to Detroit, initially living with the family of a fellow athlete.
By 2015, Kolesnik competed internationally for his home country in Advanced Novice Ice Dancing, placing ninth at the Ice Star and fourth at the NRW Trophy competitions. He quickly established a reputation for his artistic aesthetics balanced with solid technical movements.
Two years later, he partnered with American Avonley Nguyenn to compete in the ISU Junior Grand Prix, where they placed fifth and sixth in multiple events before winning gold at the Midwestern Sections. The success qualified the pair for the 2018 U.S. Championships. There, they placed fifth. They went on to win both the 2020 World Junior Championships and the junior national title.
Having established himself as a formidable international talent, Kolesnik recognized Emilea Zingas’ immense talent as an American singles skater. The two formed an instant connection and teamed up in 2022, shocking the dance community with a fourth-place finish at the 2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championship. While training, Vadym earned a bachelor’s degree in sports psychology, which he credits to helping himself and Zingas navigate the mental and physical challenges of international competition.
Since moving to the U.S. as a teenager, Kolesnik expressed his desire to attain U.S. citizenship to represent the country in competition. In August 2025, his dream came true when he was naturalized at a ceremony in Michigan, in time to compete in the 2026 Olympic Games.
The dynamic Kolesnik and Zingas duo made their Olympic Ice Dance debut on February 11 at the 2026 Games in Italy, advancing to the finals before finishing in fifth place in the Mixed Ice Dance competition.
Other Team USA Olympians we have previously spotlighted
Kaillie Humphries, the most decorated women’s bobsledder in history
Christina Carreira, one of team USA’s premier ice dancers.
2024 Summer Olympics: Recognizing the IOC Refugee Team
