Tenley Albright, now 90, and Carol Heiss, 86, recently revisited their historic victories at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, marking 70 years since their triumphs. Albright, who won gold despite battling polio and sustaining a deep ankle cut days before the competition, recalls the stunning scenery and her emotional performance, including the crowd humming her music which lifted her spirits. She went on to become a medical doctor, serving as chief physician for the U.S. Olympic team and a vice president of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Heiss, who was just 16 at the time and the first woman to land a double axel, describes her experience as a young athlete excited to meet international competitors and celebrate her birthday during the Games. She later won gold at the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics amid increased pressure and media attention. Both athletes shared memories of the picturesque setting, the camaraderie among U.S. skaters, and the challenges they faced. Albright, who also served as the U.S. team’s chief physician, wore her original Olympic sweater at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, symbolizing her enduring connection to the sport. Their stories highlight the resilience and patriotism of their generation of Olympians, as the Winter Olympics returned to Italy after seven decades.