Alysa Liu headlines women’s Winter Olympians on TIME100 Most Influential People list

TIME100 has just dropped its 2026 edition of the Most Influential People, and this year, three Winter Olympic medalists have made the list. Figure skater Alysa Liu, snowboarder Chloe Kim, and hockey player Hilary Knight were the female athletes chosen to highlight the list.

TIME separates its picks into categories, with Liu and Kim falling under the “icons” tag, while Knight was placed under “innovators.” Each person on the list had a dedicated section addressed to them that was written by another public figure, and actor and comedian Bowen Yang was responsible for honoring Liu.

“She is also a wonderful friend, a loyal teammate, [and] a style icon with an activist lineage and impeccable music taste. All of those selves converge when she takes the ice, completely relaxed, ready to present something greater than the sum of its lutzes,” Yang wrote.

When it came to Kim, she received her message from Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Suni Lee. Lee made sure to mention that she admires the way the three-time Olympic medalist doesn’t pretend that aspects of her life aren’t challenging, both in and out of her sport.

“This past year, she’s continued to show what it means to compete on your own terms. Chloe has been open about the pressures of elite sports and unapologetic about protecting her mental health. That kind of honesty is powerful, especially for young athletes who are watching and learning what success can actually look like,” Lee said.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai wrote on Knight’s behalf, giving the ice hockey legend credit for holding the all-time World Championship records for goals, assists, and points in addition to two gold medals. However, she made sure to point out that Knight’s overall impact on the sport was what landed her on the TIME100 list.

“Her legacy extends far beyond the record books. A critical voice in the US Women’s National Team’s fight for fair pay, Hilary advocated for better wages, investment in girls’ programs, and greater visibility for women’s teams. She helped build the Professional Women’s Hockey League from the ground up — and ensured the road will be easier for the next generation,” Yousafzai penned.

Last year, TIME chose WNBA stars and Unrivaled founders Napheesa Collier and Brianna Stewart to represent female athletes on its list.

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