MILAN — Spencer Akira Howe will balance the demands of elite athletic competition with military duty this week as he makes his Olympic debut in pairs figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Howe, a U.S. Army soldier, and his partner Emily Chan are slated to compete on February 15-16.
Howe’s journey to the Olympics is unique, stemming from a long-held desire to serve in the military alongside his pursuit of figure skating excellence. “From a very young age, had that thought in me, and I guess that drive to want to serve my country in that kind of capacity as a soldier,” Howe told USA TODAY Sports. He initially believed a military career would have to wait, but a conversation with a track and field athlete in the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) changed his perspective.
The WCAP allows top-ranked Soldier-athletes to compete internationally while fulfilling their military obligations, according to the U.S. Army. Howe enlisted in October 2024 and began basic training four months later, becoming the first figure skater to join the program. Based at Fort Carson, Colorado, Howe navigated the challenges of rigorous military training while attempting to maintain his skating form.
“I wasn’t able to skate for the four months that I was gone during those trainings. I think that was definitely one of the most difficult things, logistically,” Howe said. “Being off of the ice for that long, it’s definitely not ideal.” He returned to the ice in late June, requiring a month to regain his skating proficiency. Howe believes the experience ultimately proved beneficial, fostering a more focused and disciplined approach to his training.
“I reach with more of a soldier mindset, and I look at things as tasks that as a soldier I need to complete,” he explained. “Everything was so different, but for good reason.”
The 2025-26 season saw Howe and Chan achieve a bronze medal at the Trialeti Trophy and a fourth-place finish at Skate America. Their performance at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships proved pivotal in securing an Olympic berth. Despite a difficult short program marked by falls, placing them eighth out of ten teams, the duo delivered a strong free skate, earning the third-highest score in the segment and finishing fourth securing their second consecutive pewter medal at nationals.
The absence of Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, as well as Katie McBeath and Daniil Parkman, due to citizenship requirements, opened the door for Howe and Chan to claim the second U.S. Pairs Olympic spot. The pair received confirmation of their selection shortly thereafter.
“It was definitely just a crazy journey for us,” Howe said.
During the Games, Howe will continue to fulfill his military obligations with remote check-ins with his platoon sergeant. He is one of nine Team USA members participating in the Olympics who are also part of the WCAP. Following the Olympics, Howe will resume his military duties as a motor transport operator, with aspirations of becoming a military chaplain, for which he is currently pursuing the necessary education.
