The United States is fielding its biggest Winter Olympics team ever for the 2026 Games, with 232 athletes competing. Early success has marked Team USA’s performance, as Breezy Johnson claimed the first gold medal in women’s downhill and U.S. Figure skaters won gold in the team competition. Athletes in other sports are continuing to add to the medal count as the Games progress.
The U.S. Team previously secured the most medals of any country at the 2024 Summer Olympics. However, Norway topped the medal count at the last Winter Games and holds the all-time record for winter medals.
Overall medal count for the 2026 Winter Olympics
As of one week into the Games, Norway and Italy lead the overall medal count, with Norway having won more gold medals.
Spotlight on Team USA’s medal count for the 2026 Olympics
Within the first two days of competition following the opening ceremony, Team USA secured two gold medals. Breezy Johnson’s victory came in the women’s downhill, while American figure skaters triumphed in the team event, aided by Ilia Malinin, known as the “Quad God” for his execution of difficult jumps.
On Tuesday, Ben Ogden earned a silver medal in the sprint, marking the first Olympic medal for an American man in cross-country skiing since 1976. Alex Hall took silver in freestyle ski, and Jackie Wiles and Paula Moltzan won bronze in the team downhill event. Team USA competed for gold in mixed doubles curling but secured a silver medal after falling to Sweden.
Wednesday saw Elizabeth Lemley win gold in moguls and Jordan Stolz win gold in the 1,000 meters, setting an Olympic record. Madison Chock and Evan Bates won silver in ice dancing, narrowly missing the top spot.
Thursday brought a silver for snowboarder Chloe Kim in the halfpipe and a bronze for cross-country skier Jessie Diggins.
Historic medal for South America
Brazilian ski racer Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won gold in the giant slalom, earning South America’s first-ever medal at a Winter Games. Pinheiro Braathen previously represented Norway before retiring in 2023 and returning to the sport representing Brazil in 2024.
What was the medal count for the 2022 Winter Olympics?
At the 2022 Winter Games, Norway won the most medals with a total of 37, including 16 gold. The ROC team followed with 32 medals, Germany with 27, and Canada with 26. Team USA ranked fifth with 25 medals – nine gold, nine silver, and seven bronze.
Who has the most Olympic medals of all time?
The Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage tracks overall medal counts, awarding one medal for each first, second, or third-place finish. The U.S. Leads with 3,103 medals, followed by the former Soviet Union with 1,204 and Germany with 1,091.
The U.S. Too holds the most gold medals with 1,220, according to the Olympic Foundation. However, in Winter Olympics history alone, the U.S. Ranks second behind Norway, which has won a total of 404 medals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the size of the United States’ team at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
The United States is fielding its biggest Winter Olympics team ever, with 232 athletes.
Who won the first gold medal for the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Breezy Johnson won the first gold medal for the United States in the women’s downhill event.
Which country won the most medals at the 2022 Winter Olympics?
Norway won the most medals at the 2022 Winter Olympics, with a total of 37 medals.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics unfold, what impact will these early victories have on the overall performance of Team USA and the competition with established winter sports powerhouses like Norway?
