The United States team set a new USA Olympic gold record at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy. American athletes won a record‑breaking 12 gold medals, the most the nation has ever earned in a single Winter Games.
This achievement surpassed the previous U.S. high of 10 gold medals, which had stood since the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. At the close of competition, the U.S. also secured 33 total medals, placing second overall behind Norway in both golds and total medals.
Team USA’s 2026 campaign featured standout performances across a range of sports. Multiple athletes contributed to this historic haul, highlighting the depth and strength of American winter sport.
In speed skating, Jordan Stolz was among the most decorated American competitors, setting Olympic records and bringing home multiple medals. Alpine skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin won gold in the women’s slalom, becoming one of the most successful U.S. skiers in Olympic history. In freeskiing, Alex Ferreira took gold in the men’s halfpipe, adding to America’s strong showing in freestyle events.
Team USA’s ice hockey results also played a key part in the record total. Both the men’s and women’s teams earned gold medals by defeating Canada in thrilling overtime finals. For the men, it was the first Olympic hockey gold since their dramatic win in 1980.
Veteran competitors added memorable moments in other events. Elana Meyers Taylor won her first Olympic gold in monobob at age 41, marking a milestone achievement late in her career. Figure skater Alysa Liu helped secure the U.S. first figure skating gold since 2002 in the women’s event, adding to the team’s diverse medal list.
Several Americans also made history in skiing and freestyle events. Breezy Johnson claimed gold in women’s downhill, the first U.S. victory in that event since 2010, and the U.S. team achieved its first‑ever 1‑2 finish in women’s moguls.
Beyond gold medal winners, U.S. athletes earned silver and bronze medals in a range of events. Notable podium finishes included men’s and women’s cross‑country skiing, short‑track speed skating, snowboarding, and mixed doubles curling. Some of these results marked personal bests or national breakthroughs in sport.
The record set by Team USA reflects a broader trend of success for the nation in winter sport. Competing in every one of the 16 sport disciplines at the Milan‑Cortina Games, the U.S. fielded one of its largest Olympic teams in history, composed of 232 athletes.
This year’s performance also built on momentum from past Winter Games. Analysts and team leaders noted that increased investment in training, athlete support programs, and national competition helped strengthen the U.S. Olympic team’s competitiveness across disciplines.
The historic milestone raises expectations as the U.S. looks ahead to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Many members of the 2026 team are expected to continue competing internationally, inspiring younger athletes and fueling interest in winter sports across the country.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be remembered for Team USA’s record USA Olympic gold record and the diversity of talent that fueled this success in Italy.
