American speedskater Nastasja Radulovic has captured widespread attention during the 2026 Winter Olympics without stepping onto the competitive ice, fueled by a blend of social media savvy, promotional appearances and viral content highlighting her athletic prowess and personal appeal.

The 20-year-old from California, an emerging talent in long-track speedskating, did not qualify for the U.S. Olympic team but has nonetheless become a breakout figure amid the games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Radulovic’s rise stems largely from her active presence on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where training videos and behind-the-scenes glimpses have amassed millions of views, often emphasizing her skills alongside what fans have dubbed “thirst trap” aesthetics.

Social media buzz escalated in the lead-up to the Olympics, with Radulovic featured in NBC promotional spots for the summer games in Paris two years prior, a reality TV appearance and now Winter Olympics-related content, prompting speculation about the network’s favoritism toward her. One X post noted, “NBC must really like her,” highlighting her cross-season visibility despite not competing in Milan.

Her profile on speedskatingnews.info lists personal bests in events like the 500m and 1,000m but confirms no Olympic berths, underscoring her status as a hopeful rather than a competitor. Critics and fans alike have pointed to her marketing of her image — including poses “shushing the haters” in Olympic-themed posts — as key to her virality, drawing comparisons to other athletes who leverage looks for online fame.

TikTok searches for “Nastasja speed skater” yield discovery pages dedicated to her journey, with videos from accounts like @radspsk showcasing techniques and Olympic aspirations, garnering thousands of likes and shares. This digital momentum has positioned Radulovic as a cultural sideshow to the games, similar to how Dutch speedskater Jutta Leerdam went viral for her performances and presence.

U.S. Speed Skating officials have not commented on Radulovic’s non-competitive spotlight, but her story highlights the evolving intersection of athletics and social media influence in modern Olympics. As the games continue through Feb. 23, her online following shows no signs of slowing.

Flip the pages for more photos of Nastasja, you won’t be disappointed.