Kristen Santos-Griswold Day Proclaimed In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — Decorated two-time Olympian Kristen Santos-Griswold, a Fairfield native, was honored at Fairfield Warde High School with a proclamation naming Tuesday, March 24, 2026, "Kristen Santos-Griswold Day" in Fairfield.

The short track speedskater, who has set multiple American and international records, graduated from Warde in 2012, where she was also a standout soccer player.

"It's a special day to welcome back our very own Olympian, Kristen Santos-Griswold, Class of 2012," said Warde Headmaster Paul Cavanna to a round of applause from students, staff, and town officials. "Kristen's journey from these hallways to the world stage is a powerful example of hard work, perseverance, and dedication on what one can achieve."

Santos-Griswold, 31, is a former World #1 speedskater who competes in individual 500m, 1000m, and 1500m short track races, and also in 2000m and other relays.

"It's tough," she told students about her often grueling training and competition schedules. "It's definitely not easy, but I do better when I stay really busy. There's a lot that you can't control in speedskating, which can give me a lot of anxiety, so being able to turn it off and concentrate on my studies is really helpful."

Santos-Griswold, who now lives in Utah with her husband and their dogs, is studying to be a physical therapist.

Having competed in both the 2022 and 2026 Winter Olympics, will Santos-Griswold lace-up the skates for 2030 Games in the French Alps?

"We'll see," she said. "I'm just taking it one day at a time. I'm getting old, but I still like to see how far I can push myself. So, I'm going to keep going until my body tells me, 'you're done.'"

During the ceremony Tuesday, First Selectperson Christine Vitale read the following proclamation in honor of Kristen Santos-Griswold Day:

WHEREAS: The Town of Fairfield, Connecticut proudly honors and recognizes Olympian Kristen Santos-Griswold – an international phenomenon in Short Track Speedskating who represented Team USA on the world stage at the 2022 and 2026 Olympics; and

WHEREAS: Kristen grew up in Fairfield and started figure skating at the age of three. She also enjoyed dance and hockey and excelled on Fairfield Warde High School’s soccer team. At the age of nine, Kristen realized her true passion when she saw a commercial featuring Dutch short track speedskater Wilma Boomstra who later became her coach; and

WHEREAS: Throughout her years of training and competing in Short Track Speedskating,

Kristen has shown remarkable dedication, discipline, and resilience. In addition to her competing in the 2022 and 2026 Olympics, Kristen has been a US Champion in Short Track Speedskating since 2018 and a member of the US Short Track Speedskating National Team since 2014. An astounding 65-time world medalist, Kristen has won the prestigious Crystal Globe for ranking #1 in the world overall, is the 2024 1000 meters World Champion and a four-time US record holder for the 500 meters, 1500 meters, Women’s 3K Relay, and Mixed Team 2K Relay; and

WHEREAS: Outside of the rink, Kristen is devoted to her husband Travis and their beloved huskies Bear and Koda. While Kristen’s rigorous training schedule is quite demanding, she prioritizes a healthy balance between her athletics and personal life. Kristen is an avid nature enthusiast who enjoys hiking, skiing, and swimming in her free time; and

WHEREAS: The Town of Fairfield congratulates Kristen on all of her outstanding athletic achievements and is deeply grateful to our hometown hero for serving as a positive role model to younger athletes and to our residents through her enormous talent, stellar work ethic and commitment to excellence that have made our community deeply proud and inspired.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christine Vitale, First Selectperson of the Town of Fairfield, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, March 24, 2026, as

KRISTEN SANTOS-GRISWOLD DAY

in the Town of Fairfield, Connecticut and congratulate Kristen on her amazing journey and wish her continued success, happiness and good health in all of her life’s endeavors.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the Town of Fairfield to be affixed this 24^th day of March, 2026.