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3w ago

Maia and Alex Shibutani Announce Comeback for 2026 Winter Olympics Bid

The Olympic bronze medalists will return to competition after a seven-year hiatus, training under longtime coaches to vie for a spot on Team USA's ice dance roster.

Maia Harumi Shibutani and Alex Hideo Shibutani arrive for an official State Dinner held by U.S. President Joe Biden in honour of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 10, 2024. REUTERS/Bonnie Cash
Ice dancers Alex Shibutani and Maia Shibutani pose for a portrait at the U.S. Olympic Committee Media Summit in Park City, Utah, U.S. September 25, 2017. The pair listens to Coldplay and Perez Prado while they train. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
Maia and Alex Shibutani perform in the figure skating free dance event during the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.
Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani of the U.S. perform during the ice dance short dance program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Nagano, Japan, November 28, 2015. REUTERS/Yuya Shino

Overview

  • The Shibutanis, known as the 'Shib Sibs,' confirmed their competitive return for the 2025-26 season after stepping away following the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.
  • Maia Shibutani, now 30, overcame a 2019 kidney cancer diagnosis and surgery, which extended their hiatus from ice dance.
  • During their break, the siblings authored four children’s books, pursued creative projects, and were inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2023.
  • They will train with coaches Marina Zoueva and Massimo Scali, aiming to secure one of three U.S. Olympic ice dance spots at Milan-Cortina 2026.
  • Their return adds depth to a strong U.S. ice dance team that includes reigning world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates.