Eileen Gu Defends Olympic Halfpipe Gold, Claims Third Medal as Milan Cortina Games Conclude
Eileen Gu defended her Olympic freeski halfpipe title on the final day of the 2026 Winter Olympics, taking the postponed final with a score of 94. 75 and securing her third career gold and her third medal at these Games. The result landed amid a busy closing day that also featured a U. S. overtime victory in men’s hockey and a ceremony blending Major Lazer with opera and national anthems.
Eileen Gu wins postponed women’s freeski halfpipe with 94. 75
Forced to wait an extra day for the rescheduled final, Eileen Gu converted the delay into a decisive victory, posting a 94. 75 that clinched the title. The performance gave her a third career Olympic gold medal and represented her third medal of any color at these Winter Games. What makes this notable is that the postponement could have disrupted rhythm, yet the sparking run produced a title defense that completed her personal podium haul at these Games.
Men’s hockey: Jack Hughes scores overtime winner for United States over Canada
On the tournament’s culminating match, Jack Hughes delivered an overtime goal that secured the gold medal for the United States against Canada. The sudden-death finish provided one of the day’s most dramatic competitive moments and contributed to the final-day momentum as the Milan Cortina Games wrapped up.
Closing ceremony mixes Major Lazer, opera and anthems in Milan and Cortina
The closing ceremony brought a varied program that included a Major Lazer appearance alongside operatic performances and national anthems, formally concluding the Milan Cortina Games. After 19 days of competition, the ceremony signaled the end of an Olympics described by observers as full of dominant wins, shocking upsets and unforgettable podium moments.
IOC medal totals: 116 sets, 348 medals and Norway at the summit
The International Olympic Committee handed out 116 sets of gold, silver and bronze medals across the Games, totaling 348 individual medals. Norway finished at the top of the final medal table with 18 golds and 41 medals overall, claiming the leading national position as the Games concluded.
Lindsey Vonn’s brief return and cultural moments with Snoop Dogg
One of the more personal narratives of the final day involved Lindsey Vonn, whose appearance at the Games was brief; she competed for 13 seconds. Observers noted her determination and the agonizing result of her resolve, and coverage highlighted the devastating injury she suffered and its impact on the Winter Olympics. Off the field of play, Snoop Dogg sat down for a one-on-one interview with Brittany Ghiroli and spoke about supporting the United States in Milan; his presence at the Games has been characterized as more than a broadcast role, with some calling him a U. S. Olympic mayor figure.
Wider coverage of the competition included focused pieces on athletes and moments from the Games, including commentary and features penned by Charlotte Harpur and Matthew Futterman that examined the skiing star’s performances and Vonn’s comeback, respectively.
With medal ceremonies concluded and the closing program complete, the Milan Cortina Olympics end with a mix of competitive high points and cultural moments — a final ledger of 116 medal sets, 348 medals, and a Norway-led podium that caps 19 days of sport and spectacle.
