US Wins Record 33 Medals at 2026 Winter Olympics Closing in Italy

The US won a record 33 medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, which is 5 more than their previous best. Italy hosted the games.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina have drawn to a close, marking a significant event for both Italy as a host and the United States in terms of athletic achievement. The Games, characterized by their geographically dispersed venues, concluded with a closing ceremony in Verona, Italy. The United States achieved its highest medal count in a single Winter Olympics, securing a total of 33 medals, including a record 12 gold medals.

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Context of the Games

The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics were held across various locations in Italy, from Milan to Cortina d'Ampezzo, spanning a vast area of approximately 8,500 square miles. This wide distribution of venues made these the most spread-out Winter Games in history. The Games officially concluded on Sunday, February 22, 2026, with the closing ceremony taking place in Verona's ancient Roman amphitheater, the Verona Arena. This venue also hosted the opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Paralympics, which were scheduled to run from March 6 to March 15, 2026.

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US Performance and Notable Wins

The United States had a successful outing at the Milan-Cortina Games, culminating in a record-breaking medal performance.

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  • Record Medal Count: The US team secured a total of 33 medals, with 12 gold medals. This figure represents the most gold medals the US has ever won in a single Winter Olympics.

  • Men's Ice Hockey Gold: A historic moment for US hockey occurred when the men's team defeated Canada in overtime to win the gold medal, ending a 46-year wait for this title. This victory followed a hard-fought game where the US team managed to weather significant pressure from the Canadian side.

  • Individual Achievements:

  • Breezy Johnson earned a gold medal in one of the early events.

  • Alysa Liu secured a figure skating gold medal.

  • Hilary Knight was instrumental in the US women's hockey team's victory and later served as a flag bearer in the closing ceremony.

  • Evan Bates also participated as a flag bearer and earned medals in figure skating events.

  • Jordan Stolz won an additional speedskating gold medal, contributing to the US tally.

  • Jessie Diggins participated in her final Olympics, earning her second gold and fifth Olympic medal overall, and becoming the US's all-time leading goal scorer in Olympic history.

Global Participation and Medal Standings

While the US celebrated its record performance, other nations also achieved notable success.

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  • Norway's Dominance: Norway once again topped the overall medal table, a feat they have accomplished for the fourth consecutive Games. They secured more gold and more medals overall than any other country, despite having smaller populations than some competitors.

  • Italy's Performance: As hosts, Italy had its best Winter Games, finishing fourth in the medal table with 30 medals, including 10 gold medals. This reinforces Italy's long-standing influence in the Olympic movement, having hosted Winter Olympics twice before.

  • Other Nations:

  • Canada secured bronze in the men's ice hockey final against the US.

  • Georgia earned its first Winter Olympic medal with a silver in pairs figure skating.

  • Spain claimed its first gold medal in 54 years in the men's ski mountaineering event.

  • Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and the United Arab Emirates competed in their first Winter Games.

  • Vermont and Wyoming, states with small populations, contributed a gold and six silver medals to the US total.

  • Colorado alone accounted for five medals, including three gold medals.

The Nature of the Games

The Milan-Cortina Games were distinguished by their widespread geographic footprint, necessitating considerable travel between venues. This broad spread of events, from ice sports in Milan to biathlon near the Austrian border and snowboarding near the Swiss border, presented logistical challenges and defined these as the most spread-out Winter Games ever.

Closing Ceremony and Legacy

The closing ceremony, held at the Verona Arena, celebrated the athletes and Italian art, drawing from the amphitheater's historical significance. The event featured the extinguishing of the Olympic flames at two caldrons in Milan and Cortina, with the proceedings viewed in Verona via video link. The Olympic flag was formally handed over to France, the host nation for the next Winter Games.

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The Games concluded amidst discussions about their broader implications, including the role of the US on the world stage and environmental concerns. The artistic director of the closing ceremony indicated an acknowledgment of climate change, alongside the celebration of athletic achievements.

Expert Analysis and Observations

  • Norway's consistent top performance highlights their sustained investment and development in winter sports.

  • Italy's strong showing as a host nation underscores the impact of dedicated national programs and potential benefits of hosting, despite the common financial challenges faced by Olympic hosts.

  • The US's record medal haul suggests a growing depth and breadth of talent across various winter sports disciplines.

Key Findings and Future Implications

The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics concluded with the United States achieving its most successful Winter Games to date in terms of medals. The Games were marked by their extensive geographic spread across Italy and saw Norway reaffirm its position as a dominant force in winter sports. Italy also recorded its best performance as a host nation. The handover of the Olympic flag to France signals the continuation of the Winter Olympic tradition.

Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When and where did the 2026 Winter Olympics end?
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, officially ended on Sunday, February 22, 2026. The closing ceremony was held in Verona, Italy.
Q: How many medals did the United States win at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
The United States achieved a record-breaking total of 33 medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This included 12 gold medals, which is also a new record for the US in a single Winter Games.
Q: Which US athletes won gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Several US athletes won gold medals, including Breezy Johnson, Alysa Liu in figure skating, and Jordan Stolz in speedskating. The men's ice hockey team also won gold, and Jessie Diggins won her second gold medal.
Q: Which country topped the overall medal table at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Norway once again topped the overall medal table at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This is the fourth consecutive Games where Norway has achieved this feat, winning the most gold and overall medals.
Q: How did the host country, Italy, perform at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Italy, as the host nation, had its best Winter Games performance, finishing fourth in the medal table with 30 medals, including 10 gold medals.
Q: What was unique about the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics venues?
These Games were the most spread-out in history, with venues covering about 8,500 square miles across Italy, from Milan to Cortina d'Ampezzo.