What's happened
Norwegian skier Johannes Høsflot Klaebo won his ninth gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, becoming the most successful Winter Olympian in history. Federica Brignone secured her second gold for Italy, while Mikaela Shiffrin's medal drought continued with an 11th-place finish. Controversies also emerged in curling.
What's behind the headline?
Klaebo's dominance will likely define cross-country skiing for years, as he approaches a potential double-digit gold tally. Brignone's victory underscores resilience, breaking records as the oldest women's Alpine champion. Meanwhile, Shiffrin's continued medal drought exposes the unpredictable nature of Olympic success, especially for athletes with high expectations. The curling controversies reveal tensions in a traditionally calm sport, possibly prompting stricter rules or scrutiny. Overall, these stories reflect a mix of historic achievement, resilience, and ongoing sport governance issues, shaping the narrative of these Games and setting the stage for future competitions.
What the papers say
The Independent reports Klaebo's record-breaking ninth gold and highlights Norway's leading medal tally, emphasizing his potential to reach double figures. The New York Times details Brignone's comeback and her record as the oldest women's Alpine gold medalist, contrasting her resilience with Shiffrin's ongoing struggles. The NY Post and The Independent also cover Shiffrin's continued medal drought and the curling controversies, illustrating the varied challenges faced by athletes and sports officials during these Games. These sources collectively portray a complex picture of historic achievements and persistent issues in winter sports.
How we got here
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina have seen record-breaking performances, notably Klaebo's historic ninth gold and Brignone's comeback after a severe leg injury. The Games have also highlighted ongoing issues in curling and the challenges faced by top athletes like Shiffrin, who is seeking her first medal since 2018.
Go deeper
Common question
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Who Are the Top Medal Winners at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina have delivered some incredible performances and record-breaking achievements. Norwegian skier Johannes Høsflot Klaebo has made history with his ninth gold medal, while Italy's Federica Brignone has secured her second gold, setting records along the way. However, the Games haven't been without controversy, especially in sports like curling and in the struggles faced by top athletes like Mikaela Shiffrin. Curious about who’s leading the medal tally and what controversies are unfolding? Read on to find out more about the highlights and issues of these Winter Games.
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Mikaela Pauline Shiffrin is an American two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and World Cup alpine skier. She is a three-time Overall World Cup champion, the four-time reigning world champion in slalom, and a six-time winner of the World Cup discipline title in
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Paula Moltzan is an American World Cup alpine ski racer and specializes in slalom.
Born to Robyn and Mark Moltzan, and from Minnesota, Moltzan began racing at Buck Hill, south of Minneapolis.
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Federica Brignone is an Italian World Cup alpine ski racer. She competes in all alpine disciplines, with a focus on giant slalom and super-G. Brignone won the World Cup overall title in 2020, becoming the first Italian female to achieve this feat. She is
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Jacqueline Wiles is a World Cup alpine ski racer from the United States. Born in Portland, Oregon, she specializes in the speed events of downhill and super-G.
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Sara Maria Hector is a Swedish World Cup alpine ski racer. She has competed at six World Championships and won three medals in the team event, respectively in 2011, 2015 and 2021.
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Thea Louise Stjernesund is a Norwegian alpine ski racer.
Competing at the 2016 and 2017 Junior World Championships, her best individual finish was an 8th place in giant slalom, but she also won a mixed team bronze medal in 2016.