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Winter Olympics 2026: The defining moments of Milano Cortina 2026

Neha Buswal

Winter Olympics 2026: The defining moments of Milano Cortina 2026 (PC: Milano Cortina/x)


The XXV Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina concluded on February 22, 2026, bringing down the curtain on a fortnight filled with record-breaking feats, emotional comebacks, and historic firsts.

Norway finished on top of the medal table once again, underlining its status as the dominant force in winter sports, while the United States enjoyed its most successful gold-medal campaign in Winter Olympic history.

From Johannes Høsflot Klæbo’s unprecedented dominance in cross-country skiing to a dramatic American ice hockey double gold, the Games produced moments that will be remembered for decades.

Norway leads, USA sets Gold record

Norway once again asserted its supremacy across winter disciplines, finishing first in the overall medal standings. The United States followed with a historic gold medal haul, while the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany completed the top five.


The final medal table reflected both the dominance of traditional winter powerhouses and the growing depth of global competition, highlighting how winter sports continue to expand beyond their traditional strongholds.

Defining moments of Milano Cortina 2026

  • Johannes Høsflot Klæbo’s Historic Sweep: Norway’s cross-country superstar became the first athlete to win six gold medals at a single Winter Olympics, sweeping every men’s event. He also lifted his career tally to 11 Winter Olympic golds, a new all-time record.
  • USA’s Historic Hockey Double Gold: The United States achieved a rare double, winning gold in both men’s and women’s ice hockey. The men’s team edged Canada 2–1 in overtime with Jack Hughes scoring a dramatic golden goal, while the women’s team had beaten their long-time rivals in overtime earlier in the week.
  • Alysa Liu’s fairytale comeback: After stepping away from the sport for two years, 20-year-old Alysa Liu returned to claim the first U.S. women’s individual figure skating gold in 24 years, one of the Games’ most emotional storylines.
  • South America’s First Winter Olympic Gold: Racing for Brazil, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history by winning gold in the men’s giant slalom, securing South America’s first-ever Winter Olympic medal.
  • Jordan Stolz’s Speed Skating Dominance: The American prodigy became the first U.S. male since 1980 to win multiple Olympic golds in speed skating at a single Games, setting Olympic records in both the 500m and 1000m.
  • Italy’s Best-Ever Winter Games: The host nation enjoyed its most successful Winter Olympics, winning 30 medals including 10 golds, surpassing its previous best from 1994.
  • Ski Mountaineering Makes Its Olympic Debut: The sport joined the Olympic program for the first time, contributing to a record 116 medal events and adding a fresh dimension to the Games.


In a symbolic finale, the twin Olympic flames were extinguished together before IOC President Kirsty Coventry officially declared the Games closed, praising the athletes as “fearless and full of heart” during the closing ceremony in Verona.

The Olympic flag was passed to representatives of the French Alps, officially launching the countdown to the 2030 Winter Olympics.

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