The curtain came down on the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics after 16 days of competition, with the United States capturing the men’s ice hockey gold medal for the first time in 46 years and Norway finishing atop the medal standings for a fourth consecutive Games.

As the Olympic flame was extinguished in northern Italy, Milano Cortina 2026 left behind new champions, record-breaking performances, and memorable moments that underscored the global appeal and evolving landscape of winter sport.

Norway led the table with 41 medals, including 18 gold and 12 silver. The United States placed second with 33 medals, comprising 12 gold, 12 silver, and 9 bronze. Italy recorded its highest-ever Winter Olympic medal haul, collecting 30 medals, including 10 gold, to finish just behind the Netherlands, which also secured 10 gold among its 20 medals.

Canada finished 11th with 21 medals, including five gold. Africa did not secure a medal, while South America marked a milestone with Brazil winning a historic gold. Australia continued its rise in winter sports with six medals, including three gold.

Among Asian nations, Japan led with 24 medals, including five gold, followed by China with 15 medals, five gold, four silver, and six bronze. Korea rounded out the region’s leading performers with 10 medals, including three gold and four silver.

“Bellissimo!” echoed through the historic Arena of Verona as the Games concluded with a ceremony featuring music, lasers, and formal tributes to athletes. Nearly 2,900 competitors took part across 16 disciplines and 116 events, with 1,146 medals awarded.

USA Triumphs in Men’s Ice Hockey Final

In a highly anticipated finale, traditional rivals Canada and the United States met in the men’s ice hockey final. Team USA secured a 2-1 overtime victory to claim its first Olympic gold in the event since 1980 and its third overall.

Matt Boldy opened the scoring for the United States early in the first period before Canada responded through Cale Makar late in the second. With the teams tied at the end of regulation, Jack Hughes scored less than two minutes into overtime to seal the victory and deliver the United States its 12th gold medal of the Games.

Canada’s hopes of a record-extending 10th men’s ice hockey gold were dashed, compounding disappointment after falling to the United States in the women’s final as well.

Curling and Bobsleigh Highlights

Sweden claimed the women’s curling gold after skip Anna Hasselborg delivered a decisive takeout in the 10th end for a 6-5 win over Switzerland. The victory marked Sweden’s fourth Olympic title in the event.

Hasselborg became only the second woman, after fellow Swede Anette Norberg, to win two Olympic titles as skip, having previously triumphed at PyeongChang 2018. Teammates Sara McManus, Agnes Knochenhauer, and Sofia Scharback also secured their second Olympic gold, adding to a bronze won at Beijing 2022.

In four-man bobsleigh, Germany secured a 1-2 finish, with Johannes Lochner edging defending champion Francesco Friedrich. Lochner, who also won the two-man event, completed his Olympic campaign with a combined time of 3:37.57, while Friedrich’s team clocked 3:38.14. Switzerland took bronze in 3:38.64.

Lochner’s teammate Thorsten Margis became the first athlete to win five Olympic bobsleigh titles. Friedrich concluded the Games with six Olympic medals overall, including four gold and two silver.

Cross-Country and Freeski Success

Sweden’s Ebba Andersson captured gold in the women’s 50km mass start classic, finishing 2:15.3 ahead of Norway’s Heidi Weng. Switzerland’s Nadja Kaelin secured bronze in a sprint finish. The victory marked Andersson’s fourth medal of the Games, following three silver medals.

In freestyle skiing, Eileen Gu closed her campaign with a third-run score of 94.75 to win gold in the women’s freeski halfpipe. Representing the People’s Republic of China, the 22-year-old became the most decorated freeskier in Olympic history, bringing her career total to six Olympic medals, including three at Milano Cortina 2026. She was joined on the podium by compatriot Li Hui, while Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin earned bronze with a score of 92.50.

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