The 2026 Winter Olympics have officially arrived, bringing the world’s top winter athletes to Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Over two packed weeks, nations are battling across ice and snow for a place on the podium.
For Team USA, the focus seems to build on past performances and push for more gold in Italy. Here’s a clear look at where the medal race stands and what’s at stake.
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The 2026 Winter Olympics are being held from Friday, Feb. 6 through Sunday, Feb. 22. Events are spread across Northern Italy, combining Milan’s modern venues with the alpine backdrop of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Athletes from 92 countries are competing in 16 winter sports over the two-week schedule.
Russia and Belarus are not officially represented. While athletes from those nations are allowed to compete as individuals, they do so under a neutral designation, and their results do not count toward the overall medal totals, as per a report by CBS Sports.
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How did Team USA perform at the last Winter Games?
At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the United States finished tied for third in the gold medal count, trailing only Norway and Germany. Team USA secured nine gold medals, matching China in that category, but ended the Games fifth overall with 25 total medals.
Those results left the Americans motivated heading into 2026, with hopes of turning podium appearances into more gold finishes.
Which athletes give Team USA its best medal chances?
Team USA enters these Games with several high-profile medal contenders. Both the men’s and women’s hockey teams are expected to challenge for gold. In speed skating, Jordan Stolz stands out as a favourite, while Chloe Kim is back in the snowboarding halfpipe, as per a report by CBS Sports.
Mikaela Shiffrin is once again competing on the ski slopes, and figure skaters Alysa Liu and Ilia Malinin are viewed as strong podium threats. Together, they form the backbone of the U.S. medal push.
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Why does Norway remain the team to beat?
Norway continues to set the standard at the Winter Olympics. In 2022, the Norwegians captured 16 gold medals and 37 total medals, leading all countries. Their dominance stretches far beyond one game, as per a report by CBS Sports.
Across 24 Winter Olympic appearances, Norway has collected 148 gold medals and 406 total medals. The United States ranks second all-time with 330 total medals, highlighting the scale of Norway’s historical edge.
As competition gets underway, several nations have already made their mark. Norway has jumped out front, while Italy has enjoyed early success on home snow and ice. Team USA has also begun adding medals as the schedule progresses, as per a report by CBS Sports.
Current Medal Count (by country):
Norway: 3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze — 6 total
United States: 2 gold, 0 silver, 0 bronze — 2 total
Switzerland: 2 gold, 0 silver, 0 bronze — 2 total
Italy: 1 gold, 2 silver, 6 bronze — 9 total
Japan: 1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze — 4 total
Austria: 1 gold, 2 silver, 0 bronze — 3 total
Germany: 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze — 3 total
Czech Republic: 1 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze — 2 total
France: 1 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze — 2 total
Sweden: 1 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze — 2 total
China: 0 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze — 2 total
South Korea: 0 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze — 1 total
Canada: 0 gold, 0 silver, 2 bronze — 2 total
Slovenia: 0 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze — 1 total
Bulgaria: 0 gold, 0 silver, 1 bronze — 1 total
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Athletes from 92 countries are competing across 16 sports.
Do neutral athletes count toward the medal standings?
No. Medals won by Individual Neutral Athletes are not included in official country totals.
For Team USA, the focus seems to build on past performances and push for more gold in Italy. Here’s a clear look at where the medal race stands and what’s at stake.
ALSO READ: Word of the Day: Alacrity
When are the 2026 Winter Olympics taking place?
The 2026 Winter Olympics are being held from Friday, Feb. 6 through Sunday, Feb. 22. Events are spread across Northern Italy, combining Milan’s modern venues with the alpine backdrop of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Athletes from 92 countries are competing in 16 winter sports over the two-week schedule.
Russia and Belarus are not officially represented. While athletes from those nations are allowed to compete as individuals, they do so under a neutral designation, and their results do not count toward the overall medal totals, as per a report by CBS Sports.
ALSO READ: Is a 5% raise worth 30% more work? Employee says no and sparks debate as manager calls him unambitious
How did Team USA perform at the last Winter Games?
At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the United States finished tied for third in the gold medal count, trailing only Norway and Germany. Team USA secured nine gold medals, matching China in that category, but ended the Games fifth overall with 25 total medals.
Those results left the Americans motivated heading into 2026, with hopes of turning podium appearances into more gold finishes.
Which athletes give Team USA its best medal chances?
Team USA enters these Games with several high-profile medal contenders. Both the men’s and women’s hockey teams are expected to challenge for gold. In speed skating, Jordan Stolz stands out as a favourite, while Chloe Kim is back in the snowboarding halfpipe, as per a report by CBS Sports.
Mikaela Shiffrin is once again competing on the ski slopes, and figure skaters Alysa Liu and Ilia Malinin are viewed as strong podium threats. Together, they form the backbone of the U.S. medal push.
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Why does Norway remain the team to beat?
Norway continues to set the standard at the Winter Olympics. In 2022, the Norwegians captured 16 gold medals and 37 total medals, leading all countries. Their dominance stretches far beyond one game, as per a report by CBS Sports.
Across 24 Winter Olympic appearances, Norway has collected 148 gold medals and 406 total medals. The United States ranks second all-time with 330 total medals, highlighting the scale of Norway’s historical edge.
How does the medal table look right now?
As competition gets underway, several nations have already made their mark. Norway has jumped out front, while Italy has enjoyed early success on home snow and ice. Team USA has also begun adding medals as the schedule progresses, as per a report by CBS Sports.
Current Medal Count (by country):
Norway: 3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze — 6 total
United States: 2 gold, 0 silver, 0 bronze — 2 total
Switzerland: 2 gold, 0 silver, 0 bronze — 2 total
Italy: 1 gold, 2 silver, 6 bronze — 9 total
Japan: 1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze — 4 total
Austria: 1 gold, 2 silver, 0 bronze — 3 total
Germany: 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze — 3 total
Czech Republic: 1 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze — 2 total
France: 1 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze — 2 total
Sweden: 1 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze — 2 total
China: 0 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze — 2 total
South Korea: 0 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze — 1 total
Canada: 0 gold, 0 silver, 2 bronze — 2 total
Slovenia: 0 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze — 1 total
Bulgaria: 0 gold, 0 silver, 1 bronze — 1 total
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FAQs
How many countries are competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics?Athletes from 92 countries are competing across 16 sports.
Do neutral athletes count toward the medal standings?
No. Medals won by Individual Neutral Athletes are not included in official country totals.
