The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina have delivered memorable moments that will go down in history, showcasing the spirit of competition and triumph. On Wednesday, several thrilling events highlighted the day, including an inspiring farewell from skier Mikaela Shiffrin, a nail-biting finish in men’s hockey, and notable performances in cross-country and speed skating.
Mikaela Shiffrin capped off her Olympic career in spectacular fashion by winning the gold medal in women’s slalom. In her final event, the celebrated skier not only secured her third Olympic gold but did so with a commanding lead of 1.50 seconds—the largest margin of victory in any alpine skiing event this century. Shiffrin’s victory further solidified her legacy, marking the first time a U.S. skier has clinched three gold medals, with her previous wins in giant slalom in 2014 and 2018. Despite a challenging Olympic journey, including a 15th place finish in the combined alpine team event and 11th in the giant slalom, Shiffrin’s determination and skill shone through as she finished with a remarkable time of 1 minute, 39.10 seconds, reflecting her resilience and continued greatness in the sport.
The U.S. men’s hockey team also made headlines with a dramatic victory over Sweden. Just minutes away from securing their place in the semifinals, the American team faced a setback when Mika Zibanejad tied the game for Sweden. However, Quinn Hughes emerged as the hero, scoring the overtime goal that clinched a 2-1 victory and propelled the U.S. team to face Slovakia in the semifinals on Friday. This match-up brings the potential for the U.S. to seek a gold medal—an exciting prospect as the team aims for podium finishes not achieved since 2010.
In cross-country action, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo added to his extraordinary Olympic record by winning his 10th gold medal in the men’s cross-country team sprint, racing alongside teammate Einar Hedegaard. Their performance surpassed the U.S. team, consisting of silver medalists Ben Ogden and Gus Schumacher, making the event a memorable one for Norway. Klæbo aims to continue his success with an upcoming 50km event this weekend, where he has an opportunity to shatter records previously held by American Eric Heiden.
The Speed skating events also produced thrilling results as Canadian athlete Steve Dubois claimed gold in the men’s 500m event. With a finishing time of 40.85 seconds, Dubois edged out Melle van ‘t Wout of the Netherlands. Dubois’ victory marks his first individual gold at these Olympic Games, while van ‘t Wout secured a historic silver on his Olympic debut.
Overall, the 2026 Winter Olympics continue to offer moments of courage, outstanding athleticism, and compelling narratives, uniting fans from across the globe as they cheer for their favorite athletes. Amidst the competition, the stories of perseverance and triumph—like those of Shiffrin and Hughes—remind everyone of the beauty of sports and the enduring spirit of the Olympic Games.