Sarah Warren Overcomes Injuries to Compete in Olympic Speed Skating

Speed skater Sarah Warren, a native of Willowbrook, has achieved her dream of competing in the Olympics despite facing a series of significant injuries throughout her career. The 29-year-old will represent the United States in the women’s long-track 500-meter final at the upcoming 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games. Warren’s journey to this point is chronicled in a detailed journal she refers to as her “surgical timeline,” reflecting the challenges she has overcome since she began speed skating at the age of 13.

Warren, a graduate of Hinsdale South High School in 2014, has undergone numerous surgeries, including four in the lead-up to the Olympic season. Her mother, Cathy Warren, who has relocated to Salt Lake City to support her daughter, emphasizes the extensive effort required for a single race. “A lot of work for one race,” she noted, underscoring the dedication involved in preparing for the Olympic stage.

Warren’s challenges began with arthroscopic surgeries on both knees in late 2009, necessitated by injuries sustained while playing soccer at the University of Illinois. This was only the beginning of her medical struggles. She later skated with ruptured ankle ligaments during a silver medal team sprint at the 2024 International Skating Union World Championships. The most recent surgery occurred in October 2024, further complicating her path to the Olympics. In her journal, Warren reflected on the process, stating, “This process involved relearning how to skate.”

Achieving a top-two finish at the 2026 U.S. Olympic Trials was uncertain after enduring ten surgical procedures. Warren recognized the uphill battle she faced: “You get four surgeries in the pre-Olympic season, you’re hoping history’s not written, but you know it’s going to be a fight and a clawback situation.” Despite the setbacks, she remained optimistic, stating, “The good days kind of started to outweigh the bad, and you started to see this progress. I always believed.”

On January 4, 2026, Warren completed her Olympic Trials run in 38.67 seconds, finishing .22 seconds ahead of third-place finisher McKenzie Browne. The moment she crossed the finish line was emotional. “It’s almost like everything flashed before my eyes, the idea of what I went through, what it took to get there,” she said. Surrounded by her coach, Ryan Shimabukuro, and family members, she felt a wave of gratitude. “It took a village,” she emphasized, acknowledging the support she received throughout her journey.

Warren’s athletic career began at an early age. Following her older brother onto a hockey rink, she played on boys’ teams before transitioning to speed skating after seeing it during a practice session. Coached initially by Carl Cepuran and later his son Eric Cepuran, she began competing in short track racing at 15. Eventually, she shifted her focus to long track to maximize her athleticism.

Despite juggling her rigorous training, Warren excelled academically, earning a dual degree in biomedical engineering and chemistry from the University of Illinois, followed by a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. Her athletic achievements include participation in the 2012 Youth Winter Olympics, U.S. Olympic Trials in 2014 and 2022, and ultimately making the U.S. National Team in 2022.

As she prepares for the 500-meter event in Milan, Warren hopes to surpass her personal best of 38.10 seconds. She views her journey as a source of inspiration for others facing adversity. “Even on the day where the light in the tunnel is as dim as it ever could be, there’s still a light,” she stated. “Believe in your dreams — it absolutely can happen.”

With the opening ceremony just days away, Sarah Warren stands as a testament to resilience and determination, ready to showcase her skills on the Olympic stage.