Team USA Breaks American Record For Most Gold Medals At Winter Olympics

The U.S. team won 12 gold medals, the most ever for the country at a Winter Games.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The United States set a new record for the most gold medals won at a single Winter Olympics, capturing 12 golds at the Milan-Cortina Games. This surpassed the previous U.S. record of 10 golds set at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Team USA finished second overall in the medal table with 33 total medals, behind Norway's 44 medals. Notable American gold medalists included the men's and women's hockey teams, figure skater Alysa Liu, alpine skiers Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin, and speed skater Jordan Stolz.

Why it matters

The record-breaking performance by Team USA at the Winter Olympics showcases the country's continued dominance in winter sports and its ability to produce world-class athletes across a variety of disciplines. This achievement will boost national pride and further cement the United States' status as a winter sports powerhouse on the global stage.

The details

The U.S. team won 12 gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, surpassing the previous American record of 10 golds set at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. Notable gold medal wins came from the men's and women's hockey teams, figure skater Alysa Liu, alpine skiers Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin, freestyle skiers Elizabeth Lemley and Alex Ferreira, speed skater Jordan Stolz, and bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor. While there were some disappointments, such as figure skater Ilia Malinin's poor free skate performance and snowboarder Chloe Kim's silver medal, the overall haul of 33 total medals, including 12 golds, was a historic achievement for Team USA.

  • The Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, concluded on February 23, 2026.
  • The previous U.S. record of 10 gold medals was set at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The players

Team USA

The United States Olympic team that competed at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, Italy.

Norway

The Norwegian Olympic team that topped the overall medal table at the 2026 Winter Games with 44 total medals, including 18 golds.

Alysa Liu

A 20-year-old American figure skater who won a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, becoming the first American woman to win a figure skating medal in two decades.

Breezy Johnson

An American alpine skier who won a gold medal in the women's downhill event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Mikaela Shiffrin

An American alpine skier who won a gold medal in the women's slalom event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“This record-breaking performance by Team USA is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our winter sports athletes. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and the way they have represented our country on the global stage.”

— Sarah Hirshland, CEO, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (NBC Sports)

“Winning gold for the United States is the ultimate dream, and I'm honored to have contributed to this historic moment. This is a team effort, and I share this achievement with all of my teammates who pushed me to be my best.”

— Mikaela Shiffrin (Instagram)

What’s next

The U.S. Olympic Committee will hold a celebratory parade and rally in New York City on March 5th to honor the record-breaking achievements of Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The takeaway

The United States' dominant performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics, capped by a record-breaking 12 gold medals, solidifies the country's status as a winter sports powerhouse and will inspire the next generation of American athletes to strive for greatness on the global stage.