From Beijing to Paris to Italy, a quiet-but-undeniable trend has emerged: some of the world’s most elite athletes are also unapologetic cat people.
And honestly? It tracks. Cats thrive on routine. Olympians live on routine. Cats value independence. Olympians understand solitude. If any felines were destined to travel internationally in breathable, structured carriers with panoramic views and elite-level comfort, it would be Olympian cats. (We know a brand built exactly for that — hi, Travel Cat.)
🥇 Ilia Malinin
The Quad God & His Medal-Wearing Cat
- Olympic cycle: Beijing 2022 → Milano–Cortina 2026
- Sport: Figure Skating (USA)
- Cat: Mysti
via Newsweek
via Facebook
Ilia Malinin didn’t just rewrite figure skating history by landing the first ratified quad axel — he also delivered one of the most viral Olympic-era cat moments when he placed his medal around his cat Mysti’s neck. Yes. The medal. On the cat.
Mysti instantly became the internet’s favorite unofficial Olympian. Quad axels by day. Medal-sharing cat dad by night. If that’s not elite balance, what is?
🥈 Stephen Nedoroscik
Pommel Horse Specialist & Confirmed Cat Dad
- Olympics: Paris 2024
- Sport: Artistic Gymnastics (USA)
- Cat: Kyushu
via Infobae
Via Yahoo
The Clark Kent of pommel horse didn’t just go viral for taking off his glasses and delivering under pressure — he also proudly posed with his cat while celebrating Olympic hardware.
Balance beam? Impressive. Balancing medals and a full-grown orange cat? Iconic.
🐾 Jordan Stolz
Speed Skating Phenom & Rescue Cat Dad
- Olympic cycle: Beijing 2022 → 2026
- Sport: Long Track Speed Skating (USA)
- Cat: Mitzi
via CyclingFlash
via Instagram
Jordan Stolz dominates long track speed skating — and then goes home to Mitzi, the rescue cat who wandered into his life and stayed. When you train at world-record speeds, emotional regulation matters. Mitzi provides it.
Fastest man on ice. Softest cat at home.
🐱 Mikaela Shiffrin
Multi-Time Olympic Champion & Cat Humor Icon
- Olympics: Multiple Games including Beijing 2022
- Sport: Alpine Skiing (USA)
- Cat: Muffin
via US magazine
via CNN
In an official Olympic interview, Shiffrin joked that her cat Muffin is “bloodthirsty and wants to kill me” — which is exactly how cat owners describe cats they adore. Even one of the most decorated alpine skiers in history bows to feline chaos.
🐈 Regan Smith
Paris 2024 Swimmer Who Credits Her Cat for Mental Strength
- Olympics: Tokyo → Paris 2024
- Sport: Swimming (USA)
- Cat: Roo
via Businesswire
via Instagram
Regan Smith has publicly shared that adopting her cat Roo helped her mental recovery during intense training cycles. Olympic swimming demands isolation, repetition, and mental stamina. Roo became grounding support.
Sometimes medals are earned in the pool. Sometimes resilience is built at home with a cat.
🐾 Breezy Johnson
Beijing 2022 Skier With Two Cats
- Olympics: Beijing 2022
- Sport: Alpine Skiing (USA)
- Cats: Nugget & Pico
via X Threads
via X Threads
Breezy Johnson owns two cats — Nugget and Pico — and has joked about using Nugget as a workout weight. Downhill racing is fearless. Living with two cats? Requires strategy.
🐾 Katarina Wolfkostin
Ice Dancer With Three Cats
- Olympic cycle: 2022 → 2026
- Sport: Ice Dance (USA)
- Cats:
via Instagram
via Instagram
Ice dance is elegance and precision. Wolfkostin’s three-cat household proves she can handle both choreography and chaos.
Looking for gold medal–worthy travel gear for your own cat athlete?
Okay, maybe your kitty isn’t landing quadruple jumps… but we do think they deserve the same level of comfort, safety, and VIP treatment.
Check out Travel Cat’s backpacks, harnesses, and adventure essentials — designed for champion-level exploring (or at least champion-level lounging).
