In Olympic debut, Isabeau Levito says representing the U.S. means ‘everything’

Isabeau Levito, a figure skating star from Burlington County, will make her Olympic debut at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. As one of the country’s top women’s figure skaters, the 18-year-old was named to the 2026 U.S. Olympic figure skating team.

Levito said the chance to represent the country on the world stage means “everything.”

“It is insane to have the opportunity to represent the country like that and to be one of the top three skaters to be sent is crazy,” she said.

Levito can’t remember a time in her life when she was not figure skating. She was just three years old the first time she stepped on the ice. Her longtime coach, Yulia Kuznetsova, remembers it well.

“She was very tiny, brave, funny, and cute,” said Kuznetsova, who has coached Levito for 15 years at the Igloo Ice Rink in Mount Laurel, NJ.

Kuznetsova said Levito is strong, determined, and has worked hard for this.

“This is meant to be for her,” said Kuznetsova. “I am honored to stand behind the board and say I raised this. That’s great. I feel special.”

Only 14 years old in 2022, Levito was not old enough to qualify for the Beijing Winter Olympics. The Milan Cortina Games are the first that she is age eligible for and, as fate would have it, the Olympics are happening in a place close to her family’s heart. Her mother is from Milan and her family still lives there.

“Insane how, yes, I have family from Italy, but Milan specifically is where my family is from,” said Levito. “I think it’s cool to be going to the Olympics in a place where I don’t feel like much of a foreigner.”

During the 2024-2025 season, Levito suffered a foot injury that forced her off the ice for several months. It was a difficult time for the figure skater, but she said it helped giver her perspective.

“It is almost a good thing it happened last year to make me even more grateful for every opportunity I get, especially this year,” said Levito.

Levito said she is focused on her training leading up to the Games. One of her favorite parts of figure skating is the fact that she can portray different characters and different styles. Her short program is to a Sophia Loren medley, a perfect choice with the Olympic Games in Italy.

For a look at when to watch Levito perform, click here.