VERONA, Italy — The 2026 Winter Olympics concluded Sunday night with a spectacular “Beauty in Action” closing ceremony at the historic Verona Arena. As the Olympic flame was extinguished, the baton was officially passed to the French Alps, which will host the next Winter Games in 2030.
While Norway continued its reign as the most decorated nation in Winter Games history, leading the final count with 41 medals (including 18 gold), it was a landmark year for the United States. Team USA secured second place in the standings with 33 total medals, setting a new national record with 12 gold medals—surpassing their previous best of 10 set at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.
A “Miracle” Anniversary on Ice
The final gold for the U.S. came in dramatic fashion on Sunday, exactly 46 years to the day after the iconic “Miracle on Ice” of 1980. In a high-stakes showdown against Canada, the U.S. men’s hockey team secured a 2-1 overtime victory.
- The Hero: NHL star Jack Hughes scored the golden goal just under two minutes into the three-on-three overtime period.
- The Wall: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was instrumental, stopping 41 of 42 shots to keep the Americans in the game.
- The Legacy: This marks only the third time the U.S. men have won Olympic gold (1960, 1980, and 2026).
Earlier in the week, the U.S. women’s hockey team also claimed gold, defeating Canada in their own overtime thriller, marking a dual-gold sweep for American hockey.
Standout Performers and Records
Beyond the ice rink, several American athletes cemented their status as winter sports legends:
- Jordan Stolz: The speed skating sensation dominated the oval, capturing gold in both the 500m and 1,000m events, drawing comparisons to the legendary Eric Heiden.
- Mikaela Shiffrin: After a challenging 2022 campaign, Shiffrin returned to the top of the podium, winning gold in the women’s slalom.
- Ilia Malinin: Known as the “Quad God,” Malinin led the U.S. to a gold medal in the figure skating team event with his gravity-defying jumps.
- Breezy Johnson: Set the tone early in the Games by winning the first U.S. gold in the women’s downhill.
“This has been a ‘Golden Generation’ for us,” said one Team USA official during the closing festivities. “To break our gold medal record on Italian soil speaks to the incredible depth of this roster.”
Final Medal Table: Top 5 Nations
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | Norway | 18 | 12 | 11 | 41 |
| 2 | United States | 12 | 12 | 9 | 33 |
| 3 | Italy | 10 | 6 | 14 | 30 |
| 4 | Netherlands | 10 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
| 5 | Germany | 8 | 10 | 8 | 26 |
As the ceremony ended, the focus shifted to the French Alps 2030. French organizers offered a “New Dawn” presentation, featuring a modernized rendition of La Marseillaise and a light show that illuminated the Roman amphitheater, signaling the start of the next four-year cycle.
