The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics will be remembered as one of the most innovative, dramatic, and record-breaking editions in the history of the Games. From the sprawling venues scattered across the Italian Alps and city outskirts to the dazzling performances on ice and snow, these Olympics delivered a whirlwind of unforgettable moments for athletes and fans alike. Nowhere was this more evident than in the fiercely contested figure skating and speed skating events, where U.S. athletes surged to historic triumphs and the world’s best left their mark on the sport’s rich tapestry.
On February 21, 2026, the Milano Ice Skating Arena was awash with celebration as Alysa Liu, the 20-year-old American phenom, took a joyous exhibition gala skate—her first lap as Olympic champion. Just two days earlier, Liu had clinched gold in the women’s singles figure skating event, becoming the first American woman to claim the coveted title since Sarah Hughes’ victory in 2002. Her gold-winning performance, set to Donna Summer’s 1978 rendition of “MacArthur Park,” was more than just a technical masterpiece; it was a cultural moment. Forbes reported a staggering 1292 percent increase in Spotify streams for the disco classic in the 48 hours following Liu’s routine, a testament to the power of music and sport colliding on the world stage.
For the exhibition gala, Liu chose to skate to “Stateside” by PinkPantheress featuring Zara Larsson, donning a sparkling blue dress and her signature striped hair. The performance was pure exuberance, blending flawless skating with dance moves that would be right at home at a PinkPantheress concert. The singer herself took notice, sharing Liu’s skate on Instagram and exclaiming on X (formerly Twitter), “UGH SHE’S SO FAB.” The event was a highlight not just for Liu but for her teammates, as Amber Glenn, Ilia Malinin, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, and Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea all joined in the fun. Glenn, who narrowly missed the podium in the main competition due to a technical error, radiated happiness as she skated to Lady Gaga’s “That’s Life,” free from the weight of Olympic pressure.
The American figure skating team left Milan with more than just medals—they captured the world’s attention. The U.S. won the team event, a collective triumph that included men’s singles, women’s singles, pair skating, and ice dance. While there were moments of heartbreak—Ilia Malinin, the gold-medal favorite in men’s singles, suffered multiple falls and finished eighth in a stunning upset—there were also silver linings. Madison Chock and Evan Bates delivered stellar routines in pairs, taking silver behind France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron in a result that sparked some controversy among fans and commentators.
As the Games unfolded, Olympic figure skater Mariah Bell took on the challenge of blind-ranking the top five figure skating moments, a nod to the sheer volume of unforgettable performances at Milan Cortina 2026. It’s no wonder—these Olympics featured a blend of artistry, athleticism, and raw emotion rarely seen in such abundance. Liu’s post-victory words summed up the spirit of the moment: “That’s what I’m f-----g talking about,” she declared after her gold-clinching skate, as reported by multiple outlets. Her return to the sport after a four-year retirement made the achievement all the more remarkable and resonant for fans old and new.
Outside the rink, the 2026 Olympics set new standards for geographic sprawl, with events staged in both urban arenas and remote mountain towns. Attendees who braved the logistics were rewarded with a Games that delivered on spectacle and drama. The United States set a new national record with 12 gold medals, thanks to breakthrough performances across disciplines. Bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor, at age 41, edged out the competition in the monobob by just four-hundredths of a second. Jordan Stolz, the 21-year-old speed skating prodigy, lived up to the hype by winning gold in both the 500m and 1000m sprints—each in Olympic record time—and a silver in the 1500m. Stolz’s achievements marked the first American men’s speed skating gold since 2010 and the first 500m gold since 2006, placing him among the rarest of U.S. Olympic medalists: those who make the podium three times at a single Winter Games.
The speed skating events themselves were a showcase of generational change and enduring excellence. The Netherlands reaffirmed its dominance, capturing 13 medals and four women’s golds, but the United States and Italy made significant inroads. Italian speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida, celebrating her 35th birthday, stormed to 3000m gold in Olympic record time and added a second gold in the 5000m. The Italian men’s team also pulled off a stunning upset in the team pursuit, defeating the world record-holding Americans. Meanwhile, veteran U.S. skaters Brittany Bowe, Mia Manganello, and Emery Lehman took their final Olympic bows, with Manganello setting a new age record as the oldest American to earn an Olympic speed skating medal at 36 years and 117 days.
Beyond the medals, the Games were a cauldron of human stories—some triumphant, others poignant. Lindsey Vonn’s comeback bid ended in a dramatic crash and a fifth surgery, while Breezy Johnson soared to her first downhill skiing gold, joining Vonn as the only American women to achieve the feat. Mikaela Shiffrin returned to Olympic glory with a dominant slalom performance, and the U.S. hockey teams swept gold, with Megan Keller and Jack Hughes providing overtime heroics in their respective finals.
The Milan Cortina Olympics were also a stage for controversy and change. Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified for refusing to wear a helmet compliant with IOC guidelines on athlete expression, while Norwegian cross-country skier Sturla Holm Lægreid’s public confession of infidelity and a heated curling dispute between Canada and Sweden kept tongues wagging. On a lighter note, small, agile drones offered fans unprecedented camera angles, trailing athletes at speeds up to 75 mph and bringing viewers closer to the action than ever before.
Perhaps the most fitting symbol of these Games was Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, the Oslo-born skier who returned from retirement to win a historic medal for Brazil, making him the first South American athlete to reach the Winter Olympic podium. His story, like so many others in Milan, was a testament to perseverance, reinvention, and the ever-expanding reach of the Olympic spirit.
As the Olympic flame dimmed over Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the world was left with a trove of memories: record-breaking performances, emotional farewells, and the promise that the next chapter in winter sports history will be just as thrilling. For Alysa Liu, Jordan Stolz, and countless others, the 2026 Games were more than a competition—they were a celebration of joy, resilience, and the boundless possibilities of sport.