The United States Olympic team stood in third place with 17 medals, including five golds, eight silvers and four bronzes, as the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games reached the end of competition on Sunday, February 15.
Norway led the overall medal table with 27 medals, while host Italy held second with 22. Team USA added no new hardware on the ninth day of action but delivered strong performances across multiple disciplines that positioned athletes for potential podiums in the week ahead.
The Games opened February 6 in the Italian Alps with immediate success for American athletes. Breezy Johnson captured gold in the women’s alpine downhill, one of the earliest medals and a highlight in a sport where the U.S. has historically contended. Days later, the figure skating team, anchored by Ilia Malinin’s commanding free skate, defended its Olympic title in the team event to secure another gold.
Through the first eight days, U.S. athletes excelled in sliding sports, freestyle skiing and speed events. Consistent results in biathlon relays, snowboard cross and cross-country pursuits kept the squad in the top three despite tough competition from European powerhouses.
Sunday’s schedule featured nine medal events, yet the U.S. came away without a podium finish. In men’s ice hockey, the Americans routed Germany 5-1 to complete an undefeated preliminary round and earn a direct bye into the quarterfinals. The victory capped a dominant group stage and set up a strong run toward a medal.
The U.S. men’s curling team posted key round-robin wins over Sweden and Norway, improving to 4-2 and staying in medal contention. In women’s monobob, Elana Meyers Taylor and two other American sleds sat in strong position after the first day of competition, with final runs scheduled in the coming days.
Figure skating pairs advanced solidly through the short program, with both U.S. duos inside the top 10 heading into Monday’s free skate. Mac Forehand qualified for the men’s freeski big air final, set for Tuesday, while speed skating and snowboard slopestyle qualifiers kept American hopes alive in those events.
Southern Maryland residents have followed the Games closely, with local athletes and ties adding regional pride. The Southern Maryland Chronicle reported on February 7 that four Maryland-connected competitors are representing the United States, including luge veteran Summer Britcher, born in Baltimore, who is competing in her fourth Olympics. Britcher’s experience on the Cortina track has drawn attention in the tri-county area.
Bobsled athletes Bryan Sosoo from Laurel and Carsten Vissering, along with sled hockey player Noah Grove from Frederick, also carry Maryland roots into their events, which continue into the later stages of the Olympics and Paralympics.
As the Games enter the final week, several high-profile events remain on the schedule. The men’s and women’s hockey tournaments advance to quarterfinals, with the U.S. men holding a favorable position. Figure skating individual events, including pairs free skate, continue Monday. Bobsled, luge and skeleton competitions ramp up, offering medal opportunities for U.S. sliders.
Alpine skiing, freestyle skiing big air and additional speed skating races will decide more medals through February 22. The U.S. team has shown balance across traditional strengths like snowboarding and emerging areas such as ski mountaineering, which made its Olympic debut.
Team USA’s 17 medals through nine days match a solid pace from recent Winter Games, though the absence of Sunday hardware underscored the razor-thin margins at this level. With more than 40 events still to come, the squad remains in striking distance of a top-three overall finish.
Local coverage from the Southern Maryland Chronicle has emphasized how these performances inspire youth programs in the region, where winter sports participation grows through partnerships with nearby facilities and military family initiatives. The next several days will determine whether additional hardware elevates the U.S. standing and brings more celebration to Southern Maryland homes.