Four-time Olympian Emery Lehman Honored by Village Board
Published on May 20, 2026
During the Village Board meeting on Tues., May 19, Village President Vicki Scaman and the Board of Trustees read a Proclamation recognizing and celebrating Oak Park native and four-time United States Olympian Emery Lehman for his remarkable athletic achievement, his medals, his academic distinction and the pride he brings to the community. Lehman was also presented with what is believed to be the first-ever Key to the Village, a new honor reserved for those who have brought exceptional distinction to Oak Park.
Lehman, a long track speed skater, represented the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, the 2018 Games in PyeongChang, the 2022 Games in Beijing and the 2026 Games in Milano-Cortina. At just 17 years of age, he became the youngest male member of the U.S. Olympic Team at Sochi in 2014. At the 2022 Beijing Games, he earned a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. men’s team pursuit. Earlier this year, Lehman and his teammates went a step higher and captured a silver medal in the same event at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Games.
“As a speed skater, you have represented the United States on the world stage and earned a place among the elite athletes of his sport, all while embodying many of the values we hold dear here in Oak Park: dedication, humility and the courage to pursue excellence,” said Scaman during the presentation. “We are most proud of the person you are as a young man of character who has never forgotten where he comes from. Oak Park has always been your home, and today, we want to make that official in a small but meaningful way. It’s a symbol that our doors are always open to you, that this community stands behind you and that no matter where you are in this world, you will always have a place here.”
“Thank you for this recognition. My journey started in Oak Park and I had so many great opportunities growing up here,” said Lehman. “While speed skating is mainly an individual event, my medals are in the team event and I feel like that aspect is something I really grew up around and honed right here. I’m always proud to represent Oak Park.”
Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Lehman distinguished himself academically. He graduated as an honor student from Oak Park and River Forest High School in 2014, earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering cum laude from Marquette University in 2020 and later completed a master’s degree in Structural Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 2023.
Lehman, who was previously recognized at Board meeting in 2014, was joined at Village Hall Tuesday by his parents, Marcia and David Lehman, who remain Oak Park residents, and his girlfriend, Mia Manganello. Manganello is also a two-time Olympic medalist having won bronze in team pursuit in 2018 in Pyeongchang, and bronze again in mass start at the Milano-Cortina Games earlier this year.
Click on the video below to view the proclamation and presentation.
About Oak Park - The Village of Oak Park, located just nine miles west of downtown Chicago, offers a distinctive urban/suburban lifestyle in a thriving, multi-cultural community. Well-known for progressive values, tree-lined streets and bustling business districts, Oak Park serves as an ideal place to live, work and play. As a longstanding community of choice, the Village benefits from convenient access to local and regional transit, high-quality public schools, and arts and cultural attractions, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio and his acclaimed Unity Temple, which was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.