The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, officially began on Friday, February 6th, and will conclude on Sunday, February 22nd. Over the course of these two weeks, approximately 2,900 athletes representing 92 countries – excluding Russia and Belarus – are competing across 16 different winter sports disciplines.
The United States finished strongly at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, tying for third in the gold medal count with nine, alongside China, trailing only Norway and Germany. However, the overall medal tally saw Team USA in fifth place with a total of 25 medals.
As the Games progress, Team USA is looking to improve upon those results. Several athletes have emerged as strong medal contenders, including those with established careers and rising stars making their Olympic debuts. The American hockey teams, both men’s and women’s, are considered serious gold medal threats. Speed skater Jordan Stolz is favored to contend for multiple medals, while snowboarding’s Chloe Kim returns to the halfpipe looking to add to her Olympic legacy. Veteran alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin is once again a leading force on the slopes, and the potential of figure skaters Alysa Liu and Ilia Malinin offers further excitement for American fans.
Norway, historically dominant in the Winter Olympics, will aim to defend its position as the most successful nation. At the 2022 Games, Norway secured an impressive 16 gold medals and a total of 37 medals. Their all-time record is even more remarkable, with 148 gold medals and 406 total medals across 24 Olympic appearances. The United States, with 330 total medals, remains a distant second in the overall standings.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus are participating in the Games, but under strict conditions. They are competing as “Individual Neutral Athletes” and any medals they win will not be included in the overall medal count for either nation. This arrangement follows a ban on team participation from both countries.
The Milan Cortina Games are already delivering compelling storylines. Lindsey Vonn’s comeback at age 41, even while competing with a torn ACL suffered just a week prior to the Games, has captured attention. Her potential to medal in the downhill event remains uncertain, but her presence alone is inspiring. Freestyle skier Alex Hall, making his third Olympic appearance, is entering the competition with increased confidence and a refined perspective. Another freestyle skier, Alex Ferreira, is seeking to build on his silver medal from 2018 and bronze from 2022, emphasizing the pride he feels representing Team USA and bringing a medal home for his country, state, and community.
The dynamic husband-and-wife figure skating duo, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, are aiming to continue their impressive run of success. As six-time U.S. Champions and three-time world champions, they are considered favorites to contend for a medal in Milan Cortina, marking their fourth Olympic Games together. Ryan Cochran-Siegle, an alpine skier with a family history of Olympic success – his mother Barbara Cochran won gold in 1972 – is hoping to capitalize on his previous success on Italian soil, including two gold medals at the Junior World Championships in Roccaraso and World Cup podiums in Val Gardena and Bormio.
Kendall Coyne Schofield, a veteran leader for the U.S. Women’s hockey team, is looking to add to her collection of Olympic medals – a gold and two silvers from her previous three appearances. She’s particularly excited to share this Olympic experience with her 2-year-old son, Drew, who will be cheering her on from the stands.
However, not all storylines are unfolding as expected. Ilia Malinin, a promising figure skater, experienced a disappointing skate, finishing in eighth place. This unexpected result highlights the unpredictable nature of Olympic competition and the immense pressure faced by athletes on the world’s biggest stage.
As the Games continue, the medal count will undoubtedly shift. Team USA is poised to compete fiercely across a range of disciplines, aiming to surpass their performance from Beijing and secure a prominent position on the medal table. The next two weeks promise thrilling competition, inspiring performances, and unforgettable moments as athletes from around the globe strive for Olympic glory in Northern Italy.