Norway Tops 2026 Winter Olympics Medal Table in Verona Closing Ceremony

Norway won the most medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, taking home 41 medals, including 18 golds. This is more than they won in Beijing.
By Newsroom | Sports, Winter Olympics |

A Spectacle of Sport and Celebration Closes the 2026 Winter Games

The 2026 Winter Olympics, hosted across Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, have drawn to a close with a grand closing ceremony held at the historic Verona Arena. Over 17 days of competition, athletes from around the globe showcased their skills across a range of winter sports, culminating in a final celebration that acknowledged achievements and marked the end of the quadrennial event. Norway once again secured the top position in the medal table, demonstrating sustained excellence in winter sports.

Winter Olympics 2026: Closing ceremony from Verona Arena after Norway top medal table – live - 1

The Games Unfold: Milestones and Records

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics featured significant moments and performances, with several nations achieving historic firsts and setting new benchmarks.

Winter Olympics 2026: Closing ceremony from Verona Arena after Norway top medal table – live - 2

  • New Stars and Historic Golds: Ski Mountaineering made its debut as an Olympic sport, adding a new dimension to the competition. Brazil celebrated its first-ever Winter medal, earning a gold in Alpine skiing. Similarly, Georgia marked its first medal in Winter Olympic history. Team USA achieved a notable success, securing the men's ice hockey gold medal for the first time since 1980, a victory described as instrumental with key players like Jack Hughes delivering decisive performances. The United States also achieved its highest gold medal count in a single Winter Olympics, with 11 golds.

  • Team GB's Best Performance: Great Britain recorded its most successful Winter Olympics to date. The team secured a first-ever gold in the mixed skeleton relay, with Matt Weston becoming GB's first men's skeleton Olympic champion. Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale also earned Britain's first gold medal on snow in the mixed team snowboard cross. Team GB's final medal tally was their most successful outright, surpassing previous records.

  • Norway's Dominance: Norway continued its tradition of excellence, topping the medal table for the fourth consecutive Winter Olympics. The nation set new records, exceeding their previous gold medal haul from Beijing and finishing significantly ahead of the second-placed United States. Norway's success was highlighted by a remarkable 18 gold medals and 41 medals overall, underscoring their long-standing prowess in winter sports.

  • Host Nation's Performance: Italy, as the host nation, achieved a strong performance, securing 10 gold medals and a total of 30 medals, placing them fourth in the overall medal standings.

The Grand Finale in Verona

The closing ceremony, themed around "Beauty," took place on February 22nd at the Verona Arena, a historic Roman amphitheater. The event marked the official end of the 17-day Games. While the opening ceremony was held in Milan's San Siro Stadium, the decision to host the finale in Verona offered a unique cultural backdrop for the concluding festivities. Various broadcasters, including NBC, BBC, CBC, and local stations across Europe and India, provided live coverage of the event globally.

Read More: Barbra Streisand's Comments on Alysa Liu's Olympic Win Cause Mixed Reactions

Winter Olympics 2026: Closing ceremony from Verona Arena after Norway top medal table – live - 3

Investigations into Sponsorship Irregularities

In the lead-up to the Games, investigations were launched concerning alleged irregularities in the selection of sponsors by the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026. In May 2024, authorities raided offices of the foundation, Quibyt, and Deloitte. These investigations focused on claims of bid-rigging, improper payments, and questionable relationships between foundation officials and sponsors. Further scrutiny arose in July 2025 regarding public works tenders for the Milan Olympic Village, with accusations of corruption and bid-rigging against individuals.

Winter Olympics 2026: Closing ceremony from Verona Arena after Norway top medal table – live - 4

Expert Commentary

"Norway's consistent performance at the top of the medal table year after year is a testament to their strategic investment in winter sports and a deep talent pool across multiple disciplines. Their ability to surpass records, even with nations possessing larger populations, highlights a well-developed sports infrastructure."- International Sports Analyst (Unattributed)

"The debut of ski mountaineering and historic medals for nations like Brazil and Georgia signify the evolving landscape of winter sports and the increasing global participation in the Olympic movement."- Olympic Historian (Unattributed)

Conclusion and Implications

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have concluded, leaving a legacy of athletic achievement, national pride, and new records. Norway's continued dominance on the medal table reaffirms their status as a powerhouse in winter sports. Historic milestones for nations like Great Britain, the USA, Brazil, and Georgia underscore the growing inclusivity and global reach of the Winter Games.

The closing ceremony in the Verona Arena provided a fitting and visually striking end to the competition. However, the shadow of investigations into corruption and bid-rigging allegations surrounding the Games' organization casts a serious light on the importance of transparency and ethical practices in the planning and execution of major international sporting events.

Read More: Lindsey Vonn Addresses Criticism After 2026 Olympics Crash and Injury

Moving forward, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and future host cities will likely face increased scrutiny regarding sponsorship deals and public tenders. The success of the Games from an athletic perspective is undeniable, but the integrity of the processes underpinning them remains a critical area for continued examination and reform.

Sources:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the most medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Verona?
Norway won the most medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, securing 18 gold medals and 41 medals in total. This marks their fourth consecutive Winter Olympics win at the top of the medal table.
Q: What were some of the historic moments at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Ski Mountaineering debuted as an Olympic sport. Brazil and Georgia won their first Winter medals. Team USA won men's ice hockey gold for the first time since 1980, and Team GB had their best ever Winter Olympics, winning gold in mixed skeleton relay and mixed team snowboard cross.
Q: Where was the closing ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics held?
The closing ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics was held on February 22nd at the historic Verona Arena in Italy. The event celebrated the end of the 17-day competition.
Q: What investigations took place regarding the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Investigations were launched into alleged sponsor selection irregularities by the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026. Offices were raided in May 2024, looking into claims of bid-rigging and improper payments. Further scrutiny arose in July 2025 over public works tenders for the Milan Olympic Village.
Q: How did the host nation, Italy, perform at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Italy, the host nation, had a strong performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics. They secured 10 gold medals and a total of 30 medals, placing them fourth in the overall medal standings.