Philly Pride on Ice: From a South Jersey Teen Phenom to Donovan McNabb’s Hockey Star Niece, Local Ties Run Deep at the 2026 Winter Games
As the torch is lit in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo this week, Philadelphia sports fans have plenty of reasons to wake up early and tune in. While the Alps are thousands of miles from Broad Street, the 2026 Winter Olympics feature a surprising number of athletes with deep connections to the Philadelphia area. The roster ranges from a teenage figure skating sensation making her debut to established veterans with famous family trees.
The “Blade Angel” from Mount Laurel
Leading the charge is 18-year-old Isabeau Levito, a figure skater born in Philadelphia and raised in Mount Holly, New Jersey. Known for her artistic precision, Levito trains at the Igloo Ice Center in Mount Laurel, just a short drive across the bridge. She enters her first Olympic Games as a serious medal contender, having already secured a World Championship silver medal in 2024 and a U.S. National title in 2023.
However, her path to Italy hasn’t been without turbulence. Levito arrives in Milan coming off a recent injury that disrupted her training season, raising questions about whether she can regain her peak form under the immense pressure of Olympic ice. As part of the trio dubbed “Team USA’s Blade Angels,” she faces the daunting task of maintaining American dominance in a discipline often ruled by Russian and Japanese skaters.
A complicated cheering section for McNabb’s Niece
Perhaps the most famous Philly connection requires Eagles fans to do the unthinkable: cheer for Canada. Sarah Nurse, a star forward for the Canadian women’s ice hockey team, is the niece of Eagles legend Donovan McNabb. Her aunt, Raquel Nurse McNabb, is Donovan’s wife.
Nurse is no stranger to the spotlight, having shattered records at previous Games, but her connection to Philadelphia sports royalty adds a layer of local intrigue. The “objection” for die-hard U.S. fans is obvious: Nurse is a key weapon for Team USA’s fiercest rival. When Canada and the U.S. inevitably clash, the McNabb household—and by extension, Philadelphia—might find its loyalties tested.
Homegrown Hustle: Speed Skating and Curling
Beyond the headliners, the Philly grit is evident in the stories of Andrew Heo and Taylor Anderson-Heide.
Heo, a short-track speed skater returning for his second Olympics, grew up in Warrington, Bucks County. His journey is powered by a distinctively Philadelphian engine: his family’s auto body shop in North Philly, which helped fund the exorbitant costs of his training and travel. Heo faces a crowded field in short track, a sport notorious for unpredictable crashes and disqualifications that can end a four-year dream in seconds.
Meanwhile, Broomall native Taylor Anderson-Heide brings Delco pride to the curling sheet. A five-time national champion, she honed her skills at the Philadelphia Curling Club in Paoli. While curling often flies under the radar compared to hockey or skiing, Anderson-Heide’s local roots run deep, even if she now lives in Minnesota to train at the sport’s highest level.
The Betting Odds and Local Hopes
While the region isn’t buried in snow like the Rockies, the “Philly to Milan” pipeline is strong. The challenge for all these athletes will be acclimatizing to the time difference and the specific ice conditions in Italy, which have already drawn scrutiny from early practice sessions. But if there is one thing Philadelphia athletes are known for, it’s resilience. Whether it’s a teenager recovering from injury or a speed skater funded by brake repairs, the 215 and 609 area codes are well-represented on the world stage.
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Deep Search Background Context
- Isabeau Levito: Born 2007 in Philadelphia. Trains in Mt. Laurel, NJ. 2023 U.S. Champion, 2024 World Silver Medalist.
- Sarah Nurse: Forward for Team Canada. Niece of Donovan McNabb (via wife Raquel Nurse). Gold medalist (2022), Silver medalist (2018).
- Andrew Heo: Speed Skater (Short Track). From Warrington, PA. Debut Beijing 2022.
- Taylor Anderson-Heide: Curler. From Broomall, PA (Delaware County). Philadelphia Curling Club alum.
Image Prompt Description
A split-composition editorial illustration. On the left, a realistic rendering of a young female figure skater (resembling Isabeau Levito) in a sparkling blue dress performing a layback spin on Olympic ice. On the right, a dynamic action shot of a female ice hockey player (resembling Sarah Nurse) in a red and white jersey racing for the puck. In the background, a subtle, stylized overlay of the Philadelphia skyline merging into the snowy Italian Dolomite mountains, connecting the two locations.
Illustration Description
A minimalist vector-style graphic. The background is a cool icy blue. In the foreground, four silhouettes representing the sports: a figure skater mid-jump, a hockey player holding a stick, a speed skater in a crouch, and a curler releasing a stone. A ribbon in the colors of the Philadelphia flag (blue and yellow) weaves through the athletes, leading toward an Olympic torch at the top.
SEO Keywords
Philly Winter Olympics 2026, Isabeau Levito Philadelphia, Donovan McNabb niece Sarah Nurse, Andrew Heo speed skater, Taylor Anderson-Heide curling, Philadelphia athletes Milan 2026, Team USA Philadelphia connections.
Social Media Posts
- Twitter/X:
It’s not just the Eagles flying high! 🦅⛸️ From South Jersey’s Isabeau Levito to Donovan McNabb’s niece Sarah Nurse, Philly has serious representation at the #WinterOlympics in Milan. Check out the locals going for gold. #PhillySports #Milan2026 #TeamUSA
- Facebook:
Did you know a North Philly auto shop helped power a speed skater to the Olympics? Or that Donovan McNabb’s niece is a hockey superstar (even if she plays for Canada 🇨🇦)? The 2026 Winter Games are officially underway, and the Philadelphia region is showing up in a big way. Read about Isabeau Levito, Andrew Heo, and more locals chasing glory in Italy. 🥇❄️
- Instagram Caption:
From the 215 to the Dolomites 🏔️✈️. The Winter Games are here and Philly is in the building.
⛸️ Isabeau Levito (Figure Skating)
🏒 Sarah Nurse (Hockey)
⛸️ Andrew Heo (Speed Skating)
🥌 Taylor Anderson-Heide (Curling)
Which local athlete are you cheering for? (Yes, even the Canadian one 😉). #PhillyBorn #WinterOlympics #Milan2026 #IsabeauLevito #PhillySports
