Tulane Track and Field Alumnus Becomes School’s First Known Winter Olympian
Feb 5, 2026 | Track & Field
NEW ORLEANS – Former Tulane track and field athlete Jared Firestone will make history next week when he competes in the skeleton for Israel at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games. Firestone, a 2012 graduate of Tulane University, is the school's first known alumnus to qualify for a Winter Olympics.
"Representing Israel at the Olympics has been a 20-year dream in the making that's now a reality," said Firestone. "Most of my training happened when nobody was watching, and I think that's kind of the point. You don't need the cameras on you to go all in on something you believe in. You just need a goal you believe in and a strategy to move one step closer to it every single day."
A four-year member of the Tulane track and field team, Firestone competed between 2008-12 and posted the team's best time in the 100 meters each season. He also notched the program's top mark in the 200 meters during two of his campaigns. Excelling in the classroom, Firestone garnered Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll recognition all four years. As a senior, he ranked 18th in the conference in the 100 meters. His best time in the 100 meters came as a freshman with a 10.72, and his best 200 meters time was a 22.39 in his junior season.
"The foundation for my work ethic began at Tulane," said Firestone. "Waking up at 6:00 a.m. to lift weights, going to class, followed by grueling track workouts in the New Orleans heat helped shape my mindset for pushing myself to work, fundraise, train, and of course slide down ice tracks at 85 mph all at the same time to achieve this goal."
After graduating from Tulane in 2012, Firestone attended Yeshiva University for law school. During his first semester, Firestone suffered a minor stroke. While recovering during the 2014 Winter Olympics, he discovered the sport of skeleton and subsequently a new dream. Firestone completed his legal studies, and he is a licensed attorney in both Florida and New York while also embarking on his newfound dream.
Over multiple years, Firestone has been a self-funded athlete in his pursuit of the Olympics. He has earned multiple medals along the way across various competitions, including a gold in the North America Cup, the nation's first gold in an Olympic sliding sport.
Now, Firestone is one of just 25 athletes to qualify for the men's skeleton in this year's Olympic Games. In qualifying, he will become the first known Tulane graduate to participate in the Winter Olympics. Firestone is set to compete twice next week with his first heat at 2:30 a.m. CT on Thursday, February 12. He races again the following day at 12:30 p.m. CT. Both events will stream on NBCOlympics.com and Peacock.
The 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony is tomorrow at 12:40 p.m. CT.
TICKETS
Tickets for the football, volleyball and men's and women's basketball campaigns can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL TULANE ATHLETICS APP
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Tulane cross country and track & field on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
GREEN WAVE CLUB
Giving to the Green Wave Club provides Tulane Athletics with the resources student‑athletes need to excel in competition and in the classroom. Your support directly improves the lives of current and future Green Wave student‑athletes and enhances Tulane's competitiveness in intercollegiate athletics. Make a gift today by calling (504) 865‑5356, emailing greenwaveclub@tulane.edu, or visiting greenwaveclub.com.
"Representing Israel at the Olympics has been a 20-year dream in the making that's now a reality," said Firestone. "Most of my training happened when nobody was watching, and I think that's kind of the point. You don't need the cameras on you to go all in on something you believe in. You just need a goal you believe in and a strategy to move one step closer to it every single day."
A four-year member of the Tulane track and field team, Firestone competed between 2008-12 and posted the team's best time in the 100 meters each season. He also notched the program's top mark in the 200 meters during two of his campaigns. Excelling in the classroom, Firestone garnered Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll recognition all four years. As a senior, he ranked 18th in the conference in the 100 meters. His best time in the 100 meters came as a freshman with a 10.72, and his best 200 meters time was a 22.39 in his junior season.
"The foundation for my work ethic began at Tulane," said Firestone. "Waking up at 6:00 a.m. to lift weights, going to class, followed by grueling track workouts in the New Orleans heat helped shape my mindset for pushing myself to work, fundraise, train, and of course slide down ice tracks at 85 mph all at the same time to achieve this goal."
After graduating from Tulane in 2012, Firestone attended Yeshiva University for law school. During his first semester, Firestone suffered a minor stroke. While recovering during the 2014 Winter Olympics, he discovered the sport of skeleton and subsequently a new dream. Firestone completed his legal studies, and he is a licensed attorney in both Florida and New York while also embarking on his newfound dream.
Over multiple years, Firestone has been a self-funded athlete in his pursuit of the Olympics. He has earned multiple medals along the way across various competitions, including a gold in the North America Cup, the nation's first gold in an Olympic sliding sport.
Now, Firestone is one of just 25 athletes to qualify for the men's skeleton in this year's Olympic Games. In qualifying, he will become the first known Tulane graduate to participate in the Winter Olympics. Firestone is set to compete twice next week with his first heat at 2:30 a.m. CT on Thursday, February 12. He races again the following day at 12:30 p.m. CT. Both events will stream on NBCOlympics.com and Peacock.
The 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony is tomorrow at 12:40 p.m. CT.
TICKETS
Tickets for the football, volleyball and men's and women's basketball campaigns can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL TULANE ATHLETICS APP
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Tulane cross country and track & field on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
GREEN WAVE CLUB
Giving to the Green Wave Club provides Tulane Athletics with the resources student‑athletes need to excel in competition and in the classroom. Your support directly improves the lives of current and future Green Wave student‑athletes and enhances Tulane's competitiveness in intercollegiate athletics. Make a gift today by calling (504) 865‑5356, emailing greenwaveclub@tulane.edu, or visiting greenwaveclub.com.
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