The twin Olympic cauldrons in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo have officially been extinguished, bringing a close to a truly monumental chapter in international sports. Following a spectacular closing ceremony at the ancient Verona Arena filled with sweeping operatic performances, modern dance, and a celebration of athletic achievement, the 2026 Winter Olympics are now firmly in the history books.
The twin Olympic cauldrons in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo have officially been extinguished, bringing a close to a truly monumental chapter in international sports. Following a spectacular closing ceremony at the ancient Verona Arena filled with sweeping operatic performances, modern dance, and a celebration of athletic achievement, the 2026 Winter Olympics are now firmly in the history books.
Spanning an unprecedented 8,500 square miles across northern Italy, Milano Cortina 2026 delivered breathtaking scenery, spectacular athletic feats, and shattered records across 116 medal events. From the electric, pulsating atmosphere of the packed ice arenas in Milan to the grueling, wind-swept mountain courses of the Dolomites, these Games set a massive new standard for winter sports. Organizers took a massive gamble by spreading the events across such a vast geographical area, but the result was a sprawling festival of winter culture that captivated audiences around the globe.
The two-week spectacle concluded with several historical milestones that will be analyzed by sports pundits for years to come. For the first time in Winter Olympic history, four different nations secured double-digit gold medals, signaling a growing parity at the top of the winter sports hierarchy. As athletes return home and the host cities begin their post-Olympic transitions, the legacy of the 2026 Games is one of intense competition, incredible sportsmanship, and the unstoppable evolution of extreme winter disciplines.
A Tale of Two Clusters: Urban Energy Meets Alpine Tradition
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Milano Cortina Games was the stark contrast between its two primary hubs. Milan, a global capital of fashion, finance, and design, provided a sleek, hyper-modern, cosmopolitan backdrop for the ice sports. The Mediolanum Forum and the newly constructed PalaItalia pulsed with energy during the figure skating and hockey tournaments. These venues proved that winter sports can thrive in a vibrant urban setting, drawing massive, loud crowds that brought a stadium-like intensity to events traditionally known for polite applause.
Meanwhile, Cortina d'Ampezzo—affectionately known as the "Queen of the Dolomites"—offered a return to the classic, romanticized Winter Olympic aesthetic. The rugged, snow-capped peaks provided a stunning, natural amphitheater for the alpine skiing and high-speed sliding events. This region echoed the town's historic legacy, capturing the same alpine magic from when it first hosted the Games exactly 70 years ago in 1956. The sheer vertical drops and treacherous icy corners of the Cortina tracks tested the bravery of the world's best downhill skiers and bobsledders.
This dual-identity gave the 2026 Games a distinctly unique flavor, blending modern convenience with high-altitude tradition. The logistical challenge of moving athletes, media, and fans between the urban centers and the mountain valleys was immense, heavily relying on Italy's high-speed rail network and winding mountain passes. Yet, this geographical spread allowed the Games to incorporate existing, world-class facilities rather than building "white elephant" venues, setting a new, sustainable blueprint for future Olympic bids.
The Thrilling Debut of Ski Mountaineering
The 2026 Games marked the highly anticipated, and deeply grueling, Olympic debut of Ski Mountaineering, commonly referred to as "Skimo." Held in the unforgiving mountains of Bormio, this new sport combined elements of cross-country skiing, steep alpine climbing, and high-speed downhill racing. Athletes utilized specialized adhesive skins on the bottom of their skis to aggressively hike up the sides of mountains, before frantically ripping them off for a breakneck, un-groomed descent back to the valley floor.
The sheer physical endurance and cardiovascular capacity required for Skimo instantly captivated audiences worldwide. It injected a fresh, extreme-sport vitality into the Olympic schedule and quickly established a new breed of mountain endurance athletes as household names. Watching competitors transition from a lung-busting vertical climb into an aerodynamic downhill tuck showcased a unique blend of tactical pacing and fearless speed.
The unpredictable nature of the ascents and descents made for some of the most dramatic finishes of the entire two weeks. Equipment failures, missed transitions, and sheer exhaustion completely upended the leaderboards in the final kilometers of the men's and women's sprints. Given the massive television ratings and enthusiastic crowds lining the mountain ridges, Skimo has undeniably cemented its place as a cornerstone of the Winter Olympic program for decades to come.
The Norwegian Juggernaut Rewrites the Record Books
If there is one massive, undeniable takeaway from the 2026 Games, it is that Norway remains the undisputed, unstoppable king of winter sports. The Norwegians didn't just win the overall medal count; they utterly obliterated it, setting an all-time Winter Olympic record with 18 Gold medals and 41 overall medals. For a nation of just over five million people, their systemic dominance across nearly every discipline involving snow is one of the greatest anomalies in global sports.
The defining face of the Games was, without question, Norway's cross-country skiing superstar Johannes Høsflot Klæbo. Klæbo put on an absolute masterclass on the snow, winning an astounding six gold medals in a single Winter Olympics. This incredible individual performance meant Klæbo won more gold medals by himself than all but seven entire nations at these Games. His explosive sprinting ability and tactical brilliance in the distance races left his competitors fighting strictly for silver.
But Norway's success was far from a one-man show. The depth of the Norwegian roster across biathlon, cross-country, ski jumping, and alpine skiing proved entirely insurmountable for the rest of the world. Their biathlon mixed relay team staged a legendary comeback in heavy winds, while their alpine skiers continuously found their way onto the podium. The Norwegian sports model—which prioritizes youth participation, joy in sports, and community clubs over early specialization—continues to yield the greatest winter athletes on the planet.
Team USA's Historic Highlights and Hockey Dominance
The United States delivered its greatest Winter Olympics ever in terms of gold medals, breaking their previous high-water mark of 10 (set in Salt Lake City back in 2002). Team USA brought home 12 golds and 33 total medals, securing a firm second place in the overall standings. It was a remarkably well-rounded performance, with American athletes medaling in traditional strongholds like snowboarding, while also making unexpected breakthroughs in endurance events.
The absolute crown jewel of Team USA’s performance happened on the final weekend inside a roaring PalaItalia. The highly anticipated men's hockey tournament—featuring the return of elite NHL talent—culminated in a classic North American showdown. In a nail-biting final that went into sudden-death overtime, the United States stunned Canada 2-1 to claim the gold. The game-winning goal delivered a rivalry-level thriller that instantly became an all-time classic, shaping the emotional tone of the closing weekend for American fans.
Beyond the hockey rink, American athletes shined brightly across multiple ice and snow disciplines. In figure skating, Alysa Liu captured gold in the women's individual event, marking the first time the U.S. has won the marquee competition since 2002, executing a flawless, high-flying free skate. Meanwhile, ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates added a beautifully skated, hard-fought silver to cap off their legendary Olympic careers.
The American freestyle skiing and snowboarding teams also proved completely dominant. Elizabeth Lemley took gold in a fiercely competitive moguls bracket, weaving through the bumps with unmatched precision. Furthermore, the aerials trio of Kaila Kuhn, Connor Curran, and Chris Lillis combined for a massive, gravity-defying score of 325.35 to successfully defend the mixed team aerials gold, proving the U.S. aerials program is the absolute gold standard.
Snowboarding and the Evolution of Extreme Sports
Over in the rugged terrain of Livigno, the snowboarding and freestyle skiing events continued to violently push the boundaries of gravity and physics. The men's and women's Big Air and Halfpipe competitions were absolute showstoppers, drawing massive, youthful crowds and generating some of the most viral, jaw-dropping moments of the Games. The massive snow structures built for these events looked more like architectural marvels than sports venues.
The progression of tricks we witnessed over these two weeks was staggering. We saw unprecedented quadruple corks and back-to-back 1440s in the halfpipe that would have seemed completely impossible just one Olympic cycle ago. Athletes were launching themselves higher into the night sky, spinning faster, and landing with incredible precision. The judging panels were frequently forced to heavily scrutinize replays simply to count the number of rotations the riders were executing.
The progressive, laid-back culture of these sports perfectly embodied Italy's official "IT's Your Vibe" motto. While the competition was intensely fierce, it was blended with a relaxed, celebratory atmosphere at the bottom of the runs. Competitors routinely cheered for their rivals, celebrating cleanly landed runs regardless of what flag the athlete was wearing. This camaraderie continues to make the extreme snow sports the most uniquely positive viewing experience of the Winter Games.
Speed and Grace on the Ice Oval
While the mountains offered extreme thrills, the indoor speed skating ovals delivered pure, unadulterated velocity. The Dutch speed skating team arrived in Milan with their usual towering expectations, and they largely delivered, capturing a massive haul of medals in the long-track events. Their technical perfection and powerful strides turned the oval into a sea of orange in the stands, as traveling fans watched their heroes sweep multiple podiums.
However, the long-track events were also defined by a stunning American breakthrough. U.S. star Jordan Stolz was an absolute force of nature, winning gold in the 1,000 meters while setting a blistering new Olympic record. His explosive starts and flawless cornering technique left the dominant Dutch skaters trailing in his wake, signaling a major power shift in the middle-distance speed skating events.
In the chaotic, unpredictable world of short-track speed skating, the drama was off the charts. Collisions, photo finishes, and controversial disqualifications kept fans on the edge of their seats. The South Korean and Chinese teams engaged in a fierce, race-by-race battle for supremacy, executing daring inside passes at 30 miles per hour. The sheer danger and tactical maneuvering required in short track provided some of the most heart-pounding television of the entire fortnight.
Host Nation Heroics and Global Milestones
The pressure on the host nation is always immense, but the Italian athletes clearly fed off the passionate energy of the home crowds. Italy achieved its best Winter Games ever, securing 10 gold medals and 30 total medals, finishing an impressive third in overall volume. Every time an Italian athlete took to the snow or ice, the venues erupted into deafening chants, waving tricolor flags that created an intimidating atmosphere for the opposition.
The emotional peak for the hosts came courtesy of alpine icon Sofia Goggia. Shrugging off massive expectations and the weight of a nation, she delivered a fearless, bordering-on-reckless run to capture gold in the women's downhill. Her tearful celebration at the finish line, serenaded by thousands of fans singing the national anthem, will be replayed on Italian television for generations.
Beyond Italy, the 2026 Games will be remembered for expanding the global footprint of winter sports. Brazil captured its first-ever Winter Olympic medal—and a gold at that—when Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history in the men's giant slalom, bringing tropical flair to the alpine podium. Georgia also entered the Winter Olympic record books for the very first time, taking home a historic silver medal in figure skating, proving that the ice and snow are truly becoming a global domain.
Looking Ahead: The Paralympics Await
While the Olympic flag has been carefully lowered, folded, and passed on to the French Alps for the 2030 Games, the winter sports action in Italy is far from over. In just a few short weeks, the sprawling venues across Milan and the Dolomites will reopen their doors for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. The transition phase is already underway, adapting the Olympic villages and venues to ensure full accessibility for the world's greatest para-athletes.
The Paralympic Games promise to bring another massive wave of inspiring, elite-level competition to northern Italy. Athletes are finalizing their preparations to compete in high-stakes events like para alpine skiing, the fiercely physical para ice hockey tournament, and the highly strategic wheelchair curling matches. The level of competition in the Paralympics has skyrocketed in recent years, drawing increasing television viewership and well-deserved global media coverage.
Final Milano Cortina 2026 Medal Standings
With all 116 events officially completed, adjudicated, and medaled across the Italian Alps and the city of Milan, here is exactly how the top 20 nations stacked up on the final, official medal table:
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway | 18 | 12 | 11 | 41 |
| 2 | United States | 12 | 12 | 9 | 33 |
| 3 | Netherlands | 10 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
| 4 | Italy | 10 | 6 | 14 | 30 |
| 5 | Germany | 8 | 10 | 8 | 26 |
| 6 | France | 8 | 9 | 6 | 23 |
| 7 | Sweden | 8 | 6 | 4 | 18 |
| 8 | Switzerland | 6 | 9 | 8 | 23 |
| 9 | Austria | 5 | 8 | 5 | 18 |
| 10 | Japan | 5 | 7 | 12 | 24 |
| 11 | Canada | 5 | 7 | 9 | 21 |
| 12 | China | 5 | 4 | 6 | 15 |
| 13 | South Korea | 3 | 4 | 3 | 10 |
| 14 | Australia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 15 | Great Britain | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 | Czech Republic | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 17 | Slovenia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 18 | Spain | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 19 | Brazil | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 20 | Kazakhstan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Gear Up Like a Champion: Winter Sports Essentials
Feeling inspired by the incredible athletic performances at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games? Whether you are hitting the local ice rink, planning a backcountry trip to the mountains, or just trying to stay warm this winter, grab the high-performance gear that keeps the Olympic spirit alive.
- Championship Hockey Gear: Commemorate the historic U.S. hockey overtime victory with officially licensed Team USA jerseys, snapback hats, and celebratory gold-medal apparel.
- Ski Mountaineering (Skimo) Starter Kits: Get in on the trending new sport with beginner climbing skins, lightweight touring backpacks, and avalanche safety kits.
- Premium Winter Sports Equipment: Hit the slopes with high-end ski goggles (e.g., Oakley, Smith Optics), beginner all-mountain snowboards, and thermal base layers.
- Cold-Weather Recovery Tools: Recover like a professional athlete with deep-tissue massage guns, vibrating foam rollers, and Epsom bath salts.