Milan-Cortina 2026: Highlights, Closures & Ceremony
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina concluded on Sunday, February 22nd, marking the end of a competition celebrated for its spirit of breakthrough, resilience, and shared humanity. International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry hailed the Games as “truly successful,” stating they had “surpassed everyone’s expectations.”
A Games of Records and Firsts
Norway dominated the medal count, securing 18 gold, 12 silver, and 11 bronze medals. This performance was driven by their strength in cross-country skiing, biathlon, and Nordic combined. The United States finished second with 12 gold, 12 silver, and 9 bronze medals, while Italy, benefiting from enthusiastic home crowds, achieved fourth place with 30 medals, including 10 golds, excelling in speed skating, luge, and Alpine skiing.
China’s Historic Performance
China achieved its best results at an overseas Winter Games, earning five gold, four silver, and six bronze medals – surpassing their previous best of 5-2-4 at Vancouver 2010. A turning point came on February 18th, with victories in both men’s snowboard slopestyle, claimed by Su Yiming on his 22nd birthday, and women’s aerials, won by Xu Mengtao.
Ning Zhongyan emerged as a key athlete for China in speed skating, winning a historic gold in the men’s 1,500 metres and setting a new Olympic record. Gu Ailing continued her impressive career, adding silver medals in slopestyle and big air to her halfpipe title, solidifying her position as the most decorated freeskier in Olympic history. China also secured its first Olympic medal in the men’s speed skating team pursuit and achieved national bests in ski jumping, bobsleigh, and luge.
Stars Shine Brightly
Beyond China’s success, the Games showcased exceptional performances from athletes around the globe. Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo secured six gold medals, bringing his Olympic gold tally to 11 – a first for any athlete across all sports. Jordan Stolz of the United States set Olympic records in the 500m and 1,000m sprints, while Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida captivated audiences with gold medals in the 3,000m and 5,000m.
New stars also emerged. Seventeen-year-old Choi Ga-on of South Korea upset American Chloe Kim in the snowboard halfpipe, and Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov won gold in figure skating with five clean quadruple jumps. Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen delivered South America’s first Winter Olympic medal with a gold in the giant slalom.
Moments of Triumph and Heartbreak
The Games were not without emotional moments. American Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn’s comeback ended with a fractured leg, while Austrian bobsled pilot Jakob Mandlbauer required treatment after a crash. Chinese halfpipe competitor Liu Jiayu suffered a crash but thankfully avoided serious injury. The Games also acknowledged loss, with Norwegian biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken passing away before the competition, and the US men’s hockey team honoring the memory of Johnny Gaudreau.
Amidst the competition, heartwarming scenes unfolded: Breezy Johnson received a marriage proposal after her super-G run, and Mexico’s Sarah Schleper competed alongside her son, Lasse Gaxiola, marking the first mother-son duo in Winter Games history. Federica Brignone of Italy, returning from injury, earned gold medals in super-G and giant slalom, receiving gestures of respect from her competitors. A particularly touching story involved Xu Mengtao and Wang Xindi, a married couple who both won individual gold medals.
Looking Ahead
With the Olympic flame extinguished, the Games leave behind a legacy of athletic achievement and human connection. The Olympic flag has been handed over to the French Alps, the host of the 2030 Winter Olympics. This proves likely that future Games will continue to see increased participation from diverse nations and a growing emphasis on inclusivity and athlete well-being. A possible next step for the IOC could be further investment in developing winter sports programmes in emerging nations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nation topped the medal table at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Norway topped the medal table with 18 gold, 12 silver, and 11 bronze medals.
What was China’s best result at an overseas Winter Games?
China collected five gold, four silver, and six bronze medals, surpassing their previous best of 5-2-4 at Vancouver 2010.
Were there any notable firsts at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Yes, the Games saw the first-time participation of Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and the United Arab Emirates, and Brazil won its first Winter Olympic medal.
What resonated most with you from the stories of resilience, breakthrough, and shared humanity witnessed at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics?