Thirteen of the 230 athletes competing for the United States in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics are 18 or younger, initiating a new generation in the games.

Thirty-one years separate the oldest and youngest athlete on the 2014 U.S. Olympic team.

The youngest competitor, freestyle skier Maggie Voisin, turned 15 in December. She is the youngest U.S. winter Olympian since 1972. Voisin told Derek Buerkle of KAJ18, a Montana TV station:

“Looking back when I was like 12, I mean I never would have expected this, you know three years later. I can’t believe my first XGames and my first Olympics are all in the same year.”

Although the average age of U.S. competitors in the Sochi Winter Games is 26, each athlete is not defined by his or her age.

According to the official Olympics website, there is no specific age limit for taking part in the Olympic games. International federations run all Olympic sports, which establish the age for each sport.

Not only are young athletes welcomed and recognized but they are also acknowledged for their accomplishments in their sport.

The American teen that stands out the most for her achievements is skier Mikaela Shiffrin. She has won six international slalom races. The 18-year-old will be competing in the slalom and giant slalom events. She would become the youngest American alpine medalist in history if she places in the top three of either event.

With skiing legend Lindsey Vonn unable to compete due to knee surgery, Shiffrin has become the heart of the women’s ski team. Her impressive résumé, which began only three years ago, gives the U.S. hope for on the slopes.

Seventeen-year-old speedskater Emery Lehman isn’t expected to win a medal in Sochi. However his coach, Jeff Klaiber, said he believes there will be podium finishes in his future. Lehman told Gary D’Amato of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

“There’s a lot of really successful people on the team with a lot of experience. I’m lucky to be on a team with all these people who have a chance to get (on the podium).”

Whether these young Olympians medal or not, there’s a good chance each of them are just starting their Olympic careers in Sochi.