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Like many Americans, WNBA superstar Breanna Stewart was watching the 2026 Milan Cortina Games from home, hoping that every time she watched athletes compete in any sport, a member of Team USA would be on the podium at the end.
Team USA racked up a record 12 gold medals at the Winter Olympics, and as a three-time winner in women’s basketball during the Summer Games, Stewart couldn’t help but think about what awaits her two years from now in Los Angeles.
“I’ve been talking a little bit more about LA28 these days. I think it’s going to be crazy,” Stewart told Pak Gazette Digital while discussing her partnership with Throne Sport Coffee as the first female athlete to join the brand.
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Breanna Stewart of Team USA celebrates with her son during the women’s basketball medal ceremony on day sixteen of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Whether it was 20-year-old Alysa Liu smiling after a fantastic gold medal in figure skating, or the men’s and women’s hockey teams defeating Canada in overtime to secure victory in Milan, Stewart knew exactly how they felt with that medal around their neck and watching the American flag rise to the rafters.
It’s a feeling that still gives Stewart goosebumps thinking about it.
“When you’re on the podium, watching the flag go up and the national anthem playing with the gold medal around your neck, it’s really just satisfaction and justification of why you’re doing it and why you’ve been through those tough moments and times,” he explained. “For me, the Olympics are the pinnacle of the pinnacle. You’re playing your sport at the highest level against everyone else in the world, and you see it. It’s just a goosebump feeling no matter how many times you do it. Just the pride and knowing that you’re representing something bigger than yourself always comes full circle.”
While American pride is on display, many at home were also learning more about sports they rarely see before the Games. Stewart felt the same.
“I think there were a lot of events that I really learned a lot about, whether it was bobsledding, curling or watching hockey,” he said. “I just wanted to cheer on America in whatever event they were doing and see the pride and passion the athletes felt every time they stepped up to compete in their sport.
“The Olympics are special every time I do them, and I know it’s the same for all those athletes. I thought it was a great time for everyone and, I mean, women’s hockey, what an incredible final. Men’s hockey, the same. Listen, I would never want to have my teeth knocked out with a hockey stick, I can tell you that.”
Gold medalist Alysa Liu of Team USA poses for a photo during the medal ceremony in women’s single skating on day thirteen of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
JILLIAN MICHAELS: OUR HOCKEY HEROES JUST GAVE AMERICA THE MIRACLE WE NEED MOST
Stewart, of course, is talking about the hit Jack Hughes received from an errant stick from Canada, which knocked out his front teeth. But he was the hero of men’s hockey, scoring the overtime goal and wearing the American flag on his back, bloody mouth and all, as he smiled in celebration on the rink in Milan.
Megan Keller was also a hero for the U.S., taking a clever hit on a Canadian defender and hitting a backhand shot into the net to send the American bench into a frenzy after her overtime goal sealed the gold just days before the men accomplished the same feat.
Two years later, Stewart hopes to win his fourth Olympic gold medal, and even more so considering this will be the first time he will stay home in the United States to compete against the best in the world.
“Even if we fast forward to two years from now, I feel like we will finally be in our home country, especially talking about the women’s national basketball team, we are always playing against other people in their host countries, and we are always being supported against,” she said. “Having that home crowd supporting us is going to be something people haven’t felt in a long, long time and I’m excited to say I’ll feel it too.”
HEALTHY BOOST WITH THRONE SPORTS COFFEE
Between her hard work on the court as a WNBA superstar and her duties as a mom at home, Stewart needs a little caffeine during the day to keep going.
Breanna Stewart of Team USA hugs assistant coach Kara Lawson of Team USA and celebrates after her team’s victory against Team France during the women’s gold medal game between Team France and Team USA on day sixteen of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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But Stewart doesn’t just drink coffee to get her fix: she’s partnered with a brand that’s perfect for the professional athlete she is.
Stewart joined Throne SPORT COFFEE, becoming the first female athlete to partner with the brand that prides itself on being much more than just a coffee supplier.
It seems really natural and appropriate to me,” she told FOX Business in an exclusive interview about the partnership. “I think being an athlete, being a mother, there are a lot of reasons why we constantly need caffeine. But to have it in a healthy way and also have protein, every time I walk to the gym, I take one. “I let everyone know that not only am I drinking coffee, but I’m also getting very positive protein benefits.”
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