2026 Olympics Medal Predictions: USA, Canada, and International Contenders
The 2026 Winter Olympics are set to be an exciting event, featuring a total of 116 medal events across 16 disciplines. This edition will showcase a mix of traditional favorites like skating, skiing, and hockey, along with some new additions that promise to capture the audience’s interest.
New and Exciting Events
A highlight of the upcoming Winter Games will be the introduction of Ski Mountaineering, commonly known as Skimo. This sport combines uphill ski climbing with downhill racing and will make its Olympic debut in Italy. According to Olympic broadcaster LaRochelle, Skimo requires immense fitness, describing it as a beautiful sport that could generate curiosity about its origins.
Additionally, two new events in existing sports include the Women’s Large Hill Individual and the Mixed Team Relay Skeleton. Fans are sure to follow these developments closely.
Favorites for the 2026 Winter Olympics Medals
While new sports add excitement, traditional competitions remain fan favorites. In Alpine Slalom, Team USA’s Mikaela Shiffrin is already being considered a strong contender. Events like figure skating and snowboarding also promise to draw significant attention.
Men’s Hockey Predictions
Men’s hockey is expected to be a major highlight, with Team Canada emerging as the early favorite at +120 odds. Team USA follows closely at +210, with Sweden trailing at +600. This lineup of competitors highlights the fierce competition expected.
Potential Medal Leaders
In terms of overall medal counts, Team USA and Team Canada will likely make headlines in mainstream sports. However, specific Olympic events such as speed skating, cross-country skiing, and biathlon could lead to significant medal successes for countries like Norway, Germany, and Italy.
Previous Olympics Performance
At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Norway excelled, securing an impressive 37 total medals, including 16 golds. Germany followed with 27 total medals, capturing 12 golds. Team USA finished in third place overall, with a total of 25 medals, tying with China for nine gold medals.
For the 2026 Winter Olympics, predictions suggest that Norway will again dominate the gold-medal standings, but likely with a narrower margin than in previous years.
As we approach the Winter Games, anticipation builds for these medal predictions and the performances that will unfold.
