Olympic medal table: Norway holds gold lead as Milan-Cortina reaches midpoint
Updated February 15, 2026, 8: 46 AM ET
The medal race at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo is taking shape, with Norway leading the pack in gold medals and the host nation sitting high on the overall leaderboard. Several headline-making performances — from speedskating records to historic firsts for countries that rarely appear on winter podiums — have shifted the table in dramatic fashion as the competition reaches its midpoint.
Current standings and shifting dynamics
One week into the program, Norway tops the gold medal count and sits atop the overall total. The host nation has also surged into the upper tier, amassing a significant haul of medals across alpine, skating and snow sports. The United States trails in the chase for gold but remains prominent in the overall tally, buoyed by a broad spread of podium finishes across skiing, skating and freestyle events.
Medal momentum has been especially visible in the Nordic and skating disciplines, where Norway's depth has translated into multiple top finishes. The standings have shifted daily as athletes set new Olympic marks and experienced contenders added to their national totals. The presence of strong midweek results in technical and speed events has kept the leaderboard fluid, with several teams still poised to climb as marquee competitions continue.
Standout performances driving medal gains
Speedskater Jordan Stolz has been one of the breakout stars of the early Games, claiming multiple golds and setting Olympic records while anchoring his country's position on the medal table. His sprint victories — including a record-setting win in the men's 1, 000 meters and another dominant triumph in the 500 meters — have placed him among the Games' most talked-about athletes.
In alpine skiing, Breezy Johnson provided an emotional highlight by taking gold in the women's downhill, a landmark achievement for her nation in the discipline. Her victory, coupled with a strong team showing in figure skating where a young technical star landed crucial jumps to secure a team title, helped add early golds to the American ledger.
Meanwhile, Norway continued to pile up top finishes. A standout came on February 15 when a veteran cross-country skier extended his Winter Games legacy with a record-setting ninth Olympic gold, further cementing Norway's reputation in Nordic disciplines and contributing decisively to the gold medal count.
Historic moments and national firsts
Beyond the established powers, the Games have produced landmark results for nations not traditionally synonymous with winter success. A South American country reached an unprecedented milestone when a skier with dual heritage delivered a powerful run to claim that nation's first-ever medal at a Winter Olympics. The athlete's path back to international competition and subsequent podium finish has resonated widely, representing both a personal comeback and a broader moment for winter sports representation.
Other memorable moments include breakthrough medals in cross-country and freestyle events for athletes who helped widen the medal distribution and kept the overall table competitive. As the second half of the schedule unfolds, teams that have concentrated strength in remaining events — such as Nordic relays, figure skating finals and later alpine races — could still make significant gains on the standings.
With many marquee contests still to come, the Olympic medal table is likely to remain dynamic. Expect late shifts as championships in marquee disciplines conclude and specialists aim to capitalize on the final days in northern Italy.
