As the 2026 Winter Olympics heats up in Italy, Team USA athlete Sophia Kirkby is turning heads – and not just for her athletic skills.
The luge competitor has claimed the title of the "most eligible bachelorette" of this year’s Games, sparking a flood of attention from admirers.
A Social Media Sensation
Since arriving at the Olympic Village, Sophia has seen her social media presence explode.
The athlete’s Instagram following has surged by over 20,000 new fans, all eager to catch a glimpse of her Olympic journey and perhaps, a peek into her dating life.
Before she even touched down in Italy, Kirkby stirred up some fun anticipation with a cheeky Instagram reel, which read: “Athlete Village’s Most Eligible Bachelorette Arrives Tomorrow.”
Her post set the tone for what’s been a whirlwind of direct messages from hopeful suitors.
“I’ll be sharing what it’s like navigating the dating world of competing athletes – wild schedules, early bedtimes, constant travel… and somehow still trying to be romantic,” she explained.
A Surprising Number of Date Offers
Kirkby’s approach to sharing her Olympic experience has certainly struck a chord with fans.
The athlete revealed that she has already received 600 date offers from interested admirers. She even joked about having “so many contenders for a date” and expressed excitement about responding to messages and possibly making some plans, per The Sun.
With Valentine’s Day approaching, it seems that the 25-year-old will have plenty of options. “I have two pencilled in for Saturday – Valentine’s Day,” she said, giving fans a glimpse into what’s shaping up to be a busy romantic weekend.
Athletes and Romance: A Delicate Balance
As an athlete who competes at the highest level, Kirkby is well aware of the challenges of balancing love and sport.
"I think athletes are down to have fun, especially once they’re done competing, but it really depends on where they are in their competition schedule," she shared.
Despite the hectic and sometimes grueling nature of Olympic life, Kirkby remains optimistic about finding time for romance and fun.
“I’ll be showing you the inside life of an Olympian dating at the Olympics. Stay tuned,” she teased, promising more updates to come.
A Historic Moment for Team USA
While Sophia Kirkby’s love life is certainly a topic of conversation, she is in Italy for a much bigger reason – to compete in the Winter Olympics.
Kirkby participated in the women’s double luge event, making history alongside her teammate, Chevonne Forgan.
The duo has become the first American pairing to qualify for the women’s doubles luge at the 2026 Winter Games, which also marks the debut of the event at the Olympics.
The pair secured a fifth-place finish.
As the Games progress, it’s clear that Kirkby is not only aiming for gold on the luge track but also enjoying her time as one of the Winter Olympics’ most talked-about stars.