2026 Winter Olympics: Medal Table – Day 1 Standings

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina continued to deliver thrilling competition on Sunday, February 8th, with a fresh set of medals awarded. Athletes representing 93 nations are vying for glory across 116 medal events in 16 different sports, marking the first time the Games are officially hosted by two cities.

As of this afternoon, Norway continues to lead the medal count, solidifying their position as a dominant force in winter sports. However, Italy, the host nation, is making a strong showing, fueled by enthusiastic home crowds and impressive performances.

Here’s a look at the current medal standings:

1. Norway: 3 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze
2. Italy: 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 5 Bronze
3. Austria: 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 0 Bronze
4. Germany: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
5. Japan: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
6. Czechia: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze
7. France: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze
8. Sweden: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze
9. Switzerland: 1 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze
10. United States: 1 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze

Norway’s early success is particularly noteworthy, building on their strong performances in both the 2018 and 2022 Winter Games. In Pyeongchang, they topped the medal table with 39 total medals and a share of the gold medal lead with 14. They followed that up with 37 medals, including a Games-leading 16 golds, in Beijing. Their continued dominance suggests a well-established system for developing winter athletes and a consistent ability to perform on the biggest stage.

Italy’s performance, however, is capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike. With one gold, two silver, and five bronze medals, the host nation is exceeding expectations and creating a palpable energy throughout the Games. Francesca Lollobrigida’s gold medal in the women’s 3000-meter speed skating event ignited the Milan Cortina Games, while Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris secured silver and bronze respectively in the men’s downhill, adding to the growing Italian tally.

The men’s downhill event proved to be a highlight of the early competition. Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen claimed the first gold medal of the Games with a blistering time of 1:51.61, besting Franzoni by a mere 0.2 seconds. Paris rounded out the podium, demonstrating Italy’s strength in alpine skiing. Von Allmen’s victory marks the second consecutive Swiss win in the men’s downhill and the third in the last five Winter Olympics, showcasing the nation’s prowess in this demanding discipline.

In cross-country skiing, Sweden dominated the women’s skiathlon, with Frida Karlsson taking gold and Ebba Andersson securing silver. Norway’s Heidi Weng claimed the bronze, further illustrating the competitive depth in this event. Karlsson’s winning time of 53:45.2 underscored her exceptional endurance and technical skill.

The early stages of the Games have also seen success for Austria, Germany, and Japan, each securing a gold medal alongside additional silver and bronze finishes. These nations are all expected to be contenders for a top-five finish in the overall medal count.

The introduction of ski mountaineering as an optional sport adds another layer of intrigue to these Games. While it’s too early to assess its impact on the overall medal standings, the debut of this challenging discipline is attracting a new audience and showcasing the diversity of winter sports.

With nearly two weeks of competition remaining, the medal table is sure to undergo significant changes. The United States, traditionally a strong performer in the Winter Olympics, will be looking to build on its single gold medal and climb the standings. The coming days promise more thrilling moments, unexpected upsets, and inspiring displays of athleticism as athletes from around the globe compete for Olympic glory in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.