Winter Olympics 2026 — key highlights as the Games near their finale

THE 2026 WINTER Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy are drawing to a close this weekend after more than two weeks of intense competition across 16 sports and 116 medal events. 

I must admit that being a South African, from the sunny Northern Cape, winter sports never really appealed to me. My sporting tastes were shaped by rugby, football, cricket, hockey … you know, the sunshine sports.

But I did not expect to be drawn into winter sports so quickly and completely as I did when my brother-in-law found the live Winter Olympics stream on his television, and the two of us ended up engrossed and cheering for the curling competition.

For those who do not know, curling is simply a sport where a team (we watched the mixed pairs) push a number of hefty polished granite stones across an ice rink at a bullseye. The rules are, at a stretch, similar to bowls, but there’s a lot that influences outcomes; like competitors with “brooms” who vigorously sweep the ice in order to direct the stone to a desired location.

The point I am trying to make is that, given a chance, one could get hooked on winter sports. We spent a good chunk of our weekends watching curling, and my takeaway is that the Winter Olympics was anything but dull.

Now, as the closing ceremony approaches, several standout performances and historic achievements have defined these Games.

Record‑breaking performances and historic feats

Norway’s cross‑country skiing star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo made Olympic history by winning his sixth gold medal at a single Winter Olympics, topping the men’s 50km classic race and surpassing a record that stood for more than four decades. His sweep through multiple events has elevated him into rarefied company among Winter Games greats.

In speed skating, Dutch athletes continued their dominance. Antoinette Rijpma‑de Jong completed her Olympic medal collection by winning the women’s 1,500m, marking the Netherlands’ third gold in this discipline at Milan‑Cortina.

American freestyle skier Alex Ferreira captured gold in the men’s halfpipe, completing a full set of Olympic medals across three Games and cementing his status among the sport’s elite.

These standout results have contributed to a medal table led by Norway, followed by the United States and host nation Italy — all among the top performers in overall medal count.

Notable Olympic narratives

Among dramatic team moments, Canada’s men’s curling team clinched gold with a 9‑6 win over Great Britain in a tightly contested final.

In alpine skiing, Italy’s Federica Brignone delivered a memorable performance in the women’s giant slalom, adding to the host country’s strong medal haul.

There have also been emotional moments off the podium, including a serious crash involving South Korean skier Seunghun Lee during halfpipe practice — underscoring the physical risks of elite winter sport.

South Africans make history in Italy

Yes, Mzansi was also represented. And for South African sports fans, Milan‑Cortina 2026 has been significant even without medals. Team South Africa fielded five athletes — its largest Winter Olympics delegation ever — competing across four disciplines: alpine skiing, cross‑country skiing, freestyle skiing and skeleton.

Flagbearers Matthew Smith (cross‑country skiing) and Nicole Burger (skeleton) led the charge during the opening ceremony, with both athletes and their teammates receiving attention for their determination in unfamiliar conditions.

Alpine skiers Lara Markthaler and Thomas Weir completed their events with creditable performances, with Markthaler finishing 47th in giant slalom and Weir placing 63rd in his event. Freestyle skier Malica Malherbe also represented South Africa in moguls qualification.

Despite not reaching podium positions, the team’s presence reflects a milestone for South African winter sport — particularly given the nation’s limited snow and ice infrastructure compared to traditional Winter Olympics nations.

Final days and overall context

As the Games wrap up, the spotlight remains on final medal events, record‑breaking performances and the overall narrative of athletic achievement. 

With nations like Norway, the United States and Italy topping medal standings, and individual stars rewriting records, Milan‑Cortina 2026 has delivered memorable moments at every turn.

For South Africa, this edition’s participation — and the stories behind every athlete who took to snow or ice — adds another chapter to the country’s evolving Olympic journey.