Tracking the 2026 Winter Olympics Medals: Day 14 and the Legacy of Milano Cortina 2026

As the curtains fall on the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Day 14 delivered a dramatic and historic finale, showcasing record-breaking performances, emotional victories, and unforgettable moments that will resonate in the annals of Olympic history. With the medal tally now finalized, the world reflects on a Games that exemplified resilience, excellence, and the unifying power of sport.

Day 14 Highlights: The Final Push for Glory

Norway’s Unmatched Dominance

Norway’s exceptional performance culminated in a record-breaking total of 21 gold medals, making this their most successful Winter Olympics ever. Athletes like Johannes Høsflot Klaebo, already the standout star, secured his seventh gold medal in the men's relay cross-country race, cementing his status as the most decorated athlete of these Games. Norway’s versatility across disciplines—from skiing and biathlon to sliding sports—solidified their reputation as the premier winter sports nation.

Key achievement:

"Norway topped the overall medals count as the Winter Olympics concluded in Verona Arena, marking their 11th victory in the history of the Winter Games," reported the official medals tally. Their outstanding performances across multiple disciplines set a new benchmark for excellence.

Historic Moments in Sliding and Ski Jumping

Germany demonstrated its traditional strength in sliding sports, capturing multiple medals:

• Johannes Lochner’s four-man bobsleigh team won gold, with their two-man sled claiming silver and bronze.
• The German luge doubles duo added yet another gold to their collection, underscoring their near-total dominance in speed disciplines.

Meanwhile, Austria’s historic breakthrough in ski jumping was a pivotal moment:

• Their men’s super team ski jumping victory marked Austria’s first-ever medal in this discipline, hinting at a potential shift in the sport’s competitive landscape and promising future success.

Italy’s Celebrated Home Medals

Italy finished the Games with a surge of pride, earning medals across a variety of disciplines. Notably:

• Mikaela Shiffrin added a silver in women’s super-G, complementing her earlier gold in slalom, further elevating her legacy.
• Federica Brignone secured her second medal—bronze in combined.
• Sofia Goggia claimed bronze in downhill, delighting the home crowd with her speed and technical prowess.

In freestyle skiing, Canadian Mikaël Kingsbury defended his gold medals in moguls, demonstrating consistency and dominance. Additionally, Alex Ferreira (USA) completed a full set of medals—gold, silver, and bronze—in freeski halfpipe, showcasing the depth of the American freeski program.

Dramatic Team and Individual Milestones

• The U.S. men’s hockey team made history by winning gold after a tense overtime victory over Canada, ending a 46-year gold medal drought. Coverage from CBS Sports highlighted this as a revitalization of American hockey on the Olympic stage.
• Sweden claimed women’s curling gold, asserting strategic finesse.
• Great Britain’s mixed doubles curling team caused a surprise upset, advancing to the semifinals and demonstrating resilience.
• In biathlon, Johannes Thingnes Bø narrowly edged Martin Fourcade in the men’s 20 km individual—a photo finish emphasizing tactical mastery.
• France’s men’s relay team achieved their first Olympic gold in biathlon, ending a long drought and heralding a new chapter for French biathlon.

Athletes of All Ages Inspire

• Elana Meyers Taylor, at 41, became the oldest athlete to medal in monobob, winning her second gold.
• Jordan Stolz showed promising signs despite finishing fifth in men’s 1500m speed skating, hinting at future dominance.
• Mia Manganello secured a bronze in women’s 1000m speed skating, overcoming a challenging season.
• Ben Ogden (USA) made history with a silver in men’s cross-country team sprint, marking a breakthrough for American Nordic skiing.

Final Medal Standings and Legacy

The Record-Breaking Closure

Following the conclusion of all events, the final medal tally underscores the extraordinary nature of these Games:

• Norway finished with 21 gold medals and 42 total medals, reaffirming their dominance.
• The United States achieved a best-ever performance with 12 golds and 35 medals, reflecting strategic investments and athlete development.
• Germany’s sliding sports continued their medal-winning streak, especially in luge, bobsleigh, and skeleton.
• Italy’s medal haul, buoyed by host advantages, included medals in alpine skiing, ski jumping, and luge—fostering immense national pride.
• Austria’s historic ski jumping victory signals possible shifts in the sport’s competitive landscape.
• Canada expanded its medal tally, demonstrating resilience and growth.

The Closing Ceremony and Future Outlook

The Games culminated with a vibrant closing ceremony in Verona, celebrating athletic achievement, cultural exchange, and the Olympic spirit. The organizers emphasized legacy initiatives, including sustainability programs and community engagement efforts aimed at fostering winter sports worldwide. Speeches by IOC President Thomas Bach highlighted the resilience and unity demonstrated during these challenging times:

"These Games have shown us that even in difficult circumstances, the human spirit can shine brightest. We celebrate the athletes, volunteers, and all who made this possible."

New Media Content and Highlights

• A compelling YouTube video titled "Every gold medal for Italy at the Milan Cortina Olympics" offers an engaging visual recap of Italy’s medal journey, with a duration of 2:41 and over 85 views.
• For a comprehensive overview, the "Who topped the medal table at the Winter Olympics? | Watch" segment provides insights into the final standings, emphasizing Norway’s top position and the USA’s record-breaking performance.

The Legacy of Milano Cortina 2026

While the 2026 Winter Olympics have concluded, their legacy persists. The record-breaking achievements, emerging nations, and inspiring stories—such as Klaebo’s dominance, Meyers Taylor’s resilience, and Ferreira’s versatility—set new standards for future Games. The legacy programs initiated aim to expand participation and excellence in winter sports across the globe, especially in nations still striving for their first medals.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Games reaffirmed that the Olympic spirit—marked by perseverance, sportsmanship, and unity—remains a powerful force for bringing nations together. As the world looks ahead to future Winter Olympics, the lessons and inspiration from these Games will undoubtedly influence generations of athletes and fans alike.

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In conclusion, Day 14 marked a triumphant and fitting end to a remarkable edition of the Winter Olympics. With historic performances, emotional moments, and a celebration of human achievement, Milano Cortina 2026 will be remembered as a Games that balanced tradition with innovation and showcased the enduring strength of the Olympic movement.