Olympic Medal Table: Historical Dominance and Current Standings at Milano Cortina 2026

Milan, 20 February 2026 – As the XXV Olympic Winter Games enter their final stages in Italy, the “Medaillenspiegel” (medal table) remains the ultimate barometer of national sporting prestige. With 116 medal events scheduled for these Games, the battle for the top spot has intensified between traditional winter powerhouses like Norway, Germany, and the United States, while the all-time historical rankings continue to see shifts as new legends are born on the ice and snow.

Current Standings: Milano Cortina 2026 Highlights

As of Friday, 20 February 2026, the competition has reached its 14th day of action. The latest results from the slopes and rinks have significantly impacted the current standings:

• Ski Cross Success: Daniela Maier secured a gold medal for Germany in the Ski Cross event today, providing a much-needed boost to the German delegation after a challenging 13th day.
• Ice Hockey Drama: In a high-stakes women’s final, the USA defeated Canada 2-1 after overtime to claim gold. Switzerland secured the bronze medal in the same discipline.
• Nordic Combined: Austria fought back from fifth place after the jumping round to claim a dramatic bronze medal in the team sprint in Tesero.
• Skeleton and Bobsleigh: Germany continues to show strength in sliding sports, with Susanne Kreher and Jacqueline Pfeifer previously securing silver and bronze in the Skeleton events.

The All-Time Olympic Medal Table (Summer and Winter)

When looking at the “Ewiger Medaillenspiegel” (all-time medal table), the United States remains the undisputed leader, primarily due to their overwhelming success in the Summer Games. However, Germany holds a unique position when combining the historical tallies of the FRG (West Germany), the GDR (East Germany), and the unified German team.

Top Nations in Olympic History (Combined)

Based on historical data up to the start of the current cycle, the following nations lead the cumulative rankings:

Winter Olympics Specialisation

The dynamics of the medal table shift significantly when focusing solely on the Winter Games. Germany and Norway traditionally vie for the top spot in this category. Heading into the 2026 Games, Germany was recognised as the leader in the all-time Winter medal count, followed closely by Norway and the USA. The 2026 results in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo are expected to further solidify this rivalry, particularly in disciplines like Biathlon, Luge, and Bobsleigh.

New Disciplines in 2026

The 2026 medal table features a new addition: Ski Mountaineering (Skibergsteigen). This debut has allowed nations with strong alpine traditions to gain ground in the rankings, diversifying the traditional distribution of medals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How is the medal table ranked?

The standard Olympic ranking system prioritises the number of gold medals. If two nations have the same number of golds, the number of silver medals is used as a tie-breaker, followed by bronze medals. Total medal count is often used as an alternative ranking by some media outlets, particularly in the United States.

Which nation has won the most gold medals in history?

The United States holds the record for the most gold medals in Olympic history, with over 1,000 golds won across Summer and Winter Games since 1896.

Where does Germany stand in the 2026 Winter Games?

As of 20 February 2026, Germany remains a top contender, currently bolstered by recent successes in Ski Cross and sliding sports, though they face stiff competition from Norway and Austria in the final days of the competition.

What were the results of the 2022 Winter Olympics?

At the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, Norway finished at the top of the medal table, with Germany finishing in second place with a total of 27 medals.