Winter Olympics medals: Early medal race takes shape in Milan-Cortina

The Winter Olympics medal table is starting to separate into clear tiers as competition rolls through the first full weekend of events in Italy. As of 10:00 a.m. ET on Feb. 9, 2026, the host nation is out in front on total medals, while a familiar winter power is leading the way in golds—an early split that often shapes how teams manage their strongest events over the next two weeks.

The dynamic is simple: depth can rack up podiums quickly, but gold-heavy nations can climb fast once signature sports like alpine skiing, speed skating, and cross-country hit their busiest stretches.

Winter Olympics medals standings right now

As of 10:00 a.m. ET (Feb. 9, 2026), here are the leading teams by total medals:

A quick note on how to read this: ranking systems vary, but many tables prioritize gold medals first, then silvers, then bronzes. That matters in the next phase of the Games, when a single dominant day can reshuffle the top five.

Hosts piling up podium finishes

Italy’s early lead has been driven by breadth—medals spread across multiple venues rather than one single “medal mine.” That kind of start is meaningful for a host nation because it builds momentum and keeps the medal count rising even on days when the biggest gold opportunities don’t land.

Just as important, a bronze or silver in the first week can change how teams approach later starts: athletes often race freer with a podium already secured, and coaches can adjust schedules with less pressure.

Norway’s gold-first start sets a familiar pace

Norway’s position near the top with fewer total medals but more gold is a classic early-Games look for a team built around sports that deliver gold-or-bust outcomes. If the upcoming slate in endurance-heavy events stays on track, Norway can add golds quickly without necessarily needing the same volume of bronzes that powers a “total medals” lead.

The strategic implication: when a team is already banking golds early, it can afford to take calculated risks in later events—tactics, equipment choices, or pacing plans—that might be too aggressive without that cushion.

Switzerland surging in skiing events

Switzerland’s early haul stands out for its efficiency: a high gold count relative to total medals. That suggests strong conversion—turning finals into wins rather than near-misses. Alpine and freestyle events have already produced headline moments, and the next wave of skiing competitions offers more chances to extend that advantage.

If Switzerland continues to win in high-variance events (where one mistake can knock a favorite off the podium), it can remain near the top even without the broad medal volume of the biggest delegations.

The crowded chase group and what’s next

Austria and Japan sit in a tight pack, and the next few days are likely to bring rapid movement. Early medal tables can be volatile because the schedule isn’t evenly distributed across sports: a nation can look “quiet” until its strongest disciplines begin awarding medals in bunches.

Watch for three near-term pressure points:

• Back-to-back medal days in the same sport, which can reward deep teams.

• Newer or reformatted events, where preparation can beat reputation.

• Home-venue boosts, which can turn tight margins into podiums.

If Italy keeps collecting bronzes and silvers while Norway and Switzerland keep converting gold chances, the table could show a split leaderboard for a while—one team leading totals, another leading golds—until the schedule thickens.

Sources consulted: International Olympic Committee, Reuters, Associated Press, Olympics.com