The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games came to a close on Sunday, Feb. 22, marking the end of a memorable two weeks of competition. For athletes who dedicate years of training for just a few moments on the Olympic stage, the performances did not disappoint. Throughout the Games, countless standout achievements and remarkable statistics emerged. Here’s a look at some of the most impressive numbers from this year’s Winter Olympics.

33

The U.S. finished second in the overall medal standings with 33 total medals, only trailing Norway, which set a new record with 41 medals. Of the United States’ 33 medals, 12 were gold, 12 silver and nine bronze. Although this was not the highest overall medal count in U.S. Winter Olympic history—that record remains 34 medals at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games—Team USA did set a new mark for the most gold medals won at a single Winter Olympics.

The strongest performances for the U.S. came in speed skating, ice hockey and both alpine and freestyle skiing. Speed skater Jordan Stolz led the way with three medals, while both the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams skated to gold-medal overtime finishes.

63.6%

Of the 33 medals won by the United States, women accounted for 17—63.6% of the total, including six gold medals. Their male counterparts earned 12 total medals, four of which were gold, not including the four medals won in mixed events.

The stage was set for U.S. women at the Winter Olympics, and they delivered. Their success reflects the long-term impact of equity-driven initiatives such as Title IX, which have expanded access and opportunities for female athletes at all levels. Even while disparities in funding, media coverage and resources persist, American women continue to raise the standard and, in many cases, outperform their male counterparts on the world’s biggest stage.

Notably, women’s sports received slightly more Olympic primetime coverage than men’s events, drawing 42.33% of coverage compared to 41.33% for men—a shift that underscores both their competitive success and growing audience interest.

232

Team USA sent 232 athletes to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games, marking the largest U.S. delegation ever sent to a Winter Olympics. Of those 232 athletes, 98 were returning Olympians competing in at least their second Games, and seven represented the United States for the fifth time in their careers.

Collegiate athletics continue to serve as a strong pipeline to the Olympic stage, as 84 members of Team USA were current or former NCAA athletes.

The roster also highlighted the wide age range represented at the Games. The youngest U.S. athlete was 15-year-old freeskier Abby Winterberger, while the oldest was 54-year-old curler Rich Ruohonen—a reminder that it’s never too early or too late to pursue a dream.

52

One of the most compelling aspects of the Olympics is that many competitors, despite being world-class in their sport, live relatively ordinary lives outside of competition. Of the 232 U.S. athletes at the Milan-Cortina Games, 52 hold what many would consider “normal” jobs—making their Olympic achievements even more remarkable.

Curling, in particular, showcases a wide range of professions. On the women’s side, Tara Peterson is a dentist, her sister Tabitha Peterson Lovick is a pharmacist, Aileen Geving works in insurance and Cory Thiesse is a lab technician. The men’s team is just as diverse: Rich Ruohonen is a personal injury attorney, Luc Violette is a civil engineer, Danny Casper is a business development consultant, Ben Richardson is a professional cellist, Korey Dropkin is a realtor and Aidan Oldenburg is an environmental scientist.

Other Team USA athletes have equally interesting careers. Alpine skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle works at his family’s maple syrup shop, snowboarder Cody Winters owns a window washing business and alpine skier Paula Moltzan works as a whitewater rafting guide. Skeleton athlete Dan Barefoot is a landscape architect, and snowboarder Jake Vedder created an autobiographical comic book series—proof that Olympic talent often extends far beyond the slopes and ice.

4

The Winter Olympics seemed to fly by, leaving athletes and fans with the familiar four-year wait before we once again watch competitors launch themselves down mountains and off jumps that make even the bravest viewers wince—all while couch spectators suddenly become expert judges.

This year’s Games were among the most watched in Winter Olympic history, averaging nearly 23.5 million daily viewers over the 15-day span. Along with unforgettable performances came headline-making controversy, including cheating allegations surrounding Canada’s curling teams, an ongoing investigation into male ski jumpers allegedly injecting hyaluronic acid for an aerodynamic advantage and a Norwegian biathlete who publicly admitted to cheating on his girlfriend of six months after winning bronze—only for her to decline his attempt at reconciliation.

Fortunately, the Olympic calendar never stays quiet for long. The world now turns its attention to the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, and before we know it, the Winter Olympics will return in 2030 in the French Alps—ready to deliver another two weeks of unforgettable moments.