The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina have officially come to a close, marking the end of a historic fortnight that saw records shattered and legends born. In a dramatic finale that will be etched in sporting history, the 2026 Winter Olympics final medal count solidified Norway's dominance as the world's winter superpower, while Team USA achieved its own unprecedented milestone. The Games concluded on Sunday, February 22, with a spectacular closing ceremony in Verona, but not before the United States men's hockey team delivered a "Miracle" for the modern era, securing a gold medal that capped off the most successful Winter Games performance in American history.

Team USA Shatters Gold Medal Records

For American fans, the narrative of these Games was one of relentless excellence. Team USA finished the competition with a staggering 12 gold medals, setting a new national record for the most golds won at a single Winter Olympics. This achievement surpasses the previous benchmark of 10 golds set on home soil during the Salt Lake City Games in 2002. With a total haul of 33 medals—12 gold, 12 silver, and 9 bronze—the U.S. finished second in the overall standings, cementing its status as a premier force in winter sports.

The path to this Team USA gold medals record was paved by diverse victories across multiple disciplines, from the slopes to the ice rinks. However, no victory was sweeter or more significant than the final gold medal awarded at these Games.

Miracle on Ice 2.0: USA Defeats Canada in Thrilling Hockey Final

In a matchup that fans had dreamed of, the USA vs Canada hockey final 2026 delivered instant classic status. Forty-six years to the day after the original "Miracle on Ice" in Lake Placid, the United States men's team captured their first Olympic gold since 1980 with a heart-stopping 2-1 victory in overtime.

The hero of the night was New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes, who scored the golden goal just 1 minute and 41 seconds into the extra period. Hughes, sporting a gap in his smile after losing teeth earlier in the game, buried the game-winner to send the American bench into a frenzy. "It's the best feeling in the world," Hughes said during the post-game celebration. "To do this for our country, with this group of guys, is unbelievable."

While Hughes provided the offensive spark, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was the undeniable backbone of the victory. Hellebuyck made 41 saves, frustrating a potent Canadian offense time and again. His performance earned him the tournament's Best Goalkeeper honors and ensured that the Olympic men's hockey winners 2026 would be wearing red, white, and blue. The victory was particularly emotional as players paid tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau, carrying his jersey during the celebrations.

Norway Cements Status as Winter Sports Superpower

While the U.S. celebrated its own history, the Winter Games 2026 results confirmed that Norway remains the undisputed king of winter sports. The Scandinavian nation broke its own all-time records, finishing atop the table with a mind-boggling 41 total medals and 18 golds. This performance shattered their previous record of 39 total medals from 2018 and 16 golds from 2022.

The Norway Olympic medal record was driven largely by the cross-country skiing phenomenon Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who completed a clean sweep of his events to take home six gold medals—a feat that makes him one of the most decorated Winter Olympians of all time. Norway's ability to consistently dominate across biathlon, cross-country skiing, and nordic combined continues to set the standard for the rest of the world.

Closing Ceremony Highlights in Verona

As the competition cooled, the celebrations heated up at the historic Arena di Verona. The Milano Cortina closing ceremony highlights featured a stunning blend of Italy's ancient heritage and modern artistic flair. Under the theme "Beauty in Action," the ceremony took place in the open-air Roman amphitheater, a departure from the traditional stadium setting.

Performances by ballet star Roberto Bolle and singer Achille Lauro captivated the audience, but the evening's most poignant moment came with the extinguishing of the Olympic flame. In a unique twist reflecting the dual-city hosting duties, the cauldrons in both Milan and Cortina were extinguished simultaneously via video link, officially bringing the XXV Winter Olympiad to an end.

Handover to the French Alps

The night concluded with the traditional passing of the baton. The Olympic flag was lowered and handed over to representatives of the French Alps, the hosts of the 2030 Winter Games. As the strains of "La Marseillaise" filled the ancient arena, the focus shifted to the future, where the world's best athletes will gather again in four years' time.