Italy Sets Medal Record at 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics

Italy just had its best Winter Olympics ever, and the country celebrated with opera, confetti, and pure joy.

The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics wrapped up Sunday with Italy shattering its previous medal record. The host nation took home 30 medals (10 gold, six silver, and 14 bronze), crushing the previous record of 20 set back in 1994.

"Your outstanding performance united Italians everywhere and played a fundamental role in the success of the games," Giovanni Malagò, president of the Milan Cortina Foundation, told the beaming Italian athletes wearing "Italia" headbands.

The closing ceremony inside Verona's 2,000-year-old Arena brought 12,000 spectators and athletes together for an unforgettable celebration. Opera characters like Madama Butterfly in bright pink and green mingled with flag-bearing athletes in the piazza, creating a whimsical blend of ancient tradition and modern athletic triumph.

International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry praised the organizers for delivering "a new kind of winter Games" that set "a very high standard for the future." The Games spread across 22,000 square kilometers, from ice sports in Milan to downhill skiing near the Swiss border, proving that innovation and tradition can coexist beautifully.

The Ripple Effect

These Games showed the world a fresh model for hosting Winter Olympics. By spreading events across existing venues in multiple cities, Italy demonstrated how countries can celebrate the Games without building expensive new infrastructure.

France will follow the same sustainable approach for 2030, staging events from the Alps to the Mediterranean Sea. The model protects local environments while giving more communities the chance to be part of Olympic history.

Italy's record-breaking performance also sparked nationwide pride and unity. Athletes who harnessed their youthful energy for 17 days of competition inspired millions watching at home, reminding everyone what dedication and home-field support can achieve.

The ceremony concluded with DJ Gabry Ponte getting all 1,500 athletes dancing as colorful confetti exploded on stage. Instead of fireworks (banned in Verona to protect animals), a stunning light show illuminated the ancient stone Arena, blending respect for the past with hope for the future.

As the twin Olympic flames were extinguished in Milan and Cortina, one chapter closed and another opened, proving that the Olympic spirit of bringing people together burns brighter than ever.