(NEXSTAR) - Olympic bronze medalist Bradie Tennell is serving as the first alternate for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Tennell, a two-time U.S. national champion and 2019 world champion, is currently training to step in if needed for the Olympic Games or the upcoming world championships. The 2018 Olympian recently returned to elite competition after a series of injuries, earning a silver medal at the 2025 Four Continents Championships. Although she is supporting her teammates from home, Tennell said the experience brings back memories of her own competitive history and the pressure of performing on the world stage. Tennell's current role follows a difficult period marked by recurring injuries that caused her to miss the 2022 Beijing Olympics. She described the process of returning to the sport as a significant personal milestone. "It was a bit challenging for me this year, but I gave it my best shot and now I'm supporting Team USA from home," Tennell said. She noted that watching other athletes perform still gives her "goosebumps" because she understands the years of work required for those moments. The skater's return to national competition in 2022 provided a sense of closure after years of physical setbacks. Tennell noted that her injuries were difficult for medical professionals to diagnose, which made her eventual return to the ice more meaningful. "It just felt like all of my hard work had paid off and I found my joy in just being on the ice again," Tennell said. "It was a really special moment to be back on national ice on the Olympic year and have so many friends and family in the crowd cheering me on." Reflecting on her experience at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, Tennell recalled the unique environment of the Olympic village and arena. She said the presence of the Olympic rings throughout the venue served as a constant reminder of the scale of the competition. "One of the things that I remember most about being at the Olympics was they really want to drive that point home that you're at the Olympics and the rings are everywhere," Tennell said. Her own rise to the 2018 Olympic team occurred rapidly. She recalled the moment she realized she had reached the top level of the sport during the U.S. National Championships. "Hearing my score announced and realizing that I was the national champion, I think that's when I was like, 'Oh man, I did this.' Like, I'm one of the big kids now," Tennell said. Regarding the current 2026 Olympic competition, Tennell commented on the performances of ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates. While she expressed surprise at some of the scoring outcomes, she praised the longevity of the duo, noting that this marks Bates' fifth Olympic Games. Tennell will continue to train as the first alternate for the duration of the 2026 Olympic Games and the upcoming world championships. "I'm continuing to keep up my training and be ready to step in in case my country needs me," Tennell said. She expressed hope that the primary athletes would remain healthy and have successful performances in Italy. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by Nexstar. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by Nexstar staff before being published.