2026 Winter Olympics: Team USA hockey, Mikaela Shiffrin, Alysa Liu help deliver golden Milan Cortina Games
CBS Sports
by
Matt Norlander
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The 2026 Winter Olympics, held in Milan Cortina, delivered an unforgettable display of athleticism and drama, solidifying its place among the best-ever winter games. Team USA showcased extraordinary dominance on snow and ice, securing a record-breaking 12 gold medals—the highest tally for any U.S. delegation at a winter event. The nation's performance not only matched the grandeur of past successes but also rekindled the spirit of competition after the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in previous editions.
Among the standout moments were the U.S. hockey teams' historic double gold victories. For the first time since 1980, the men's team triumphed over Canada, with Jack Hughes and Connor Hellebuyck leading a stellar performance that echoed the legendary "Miracle on Ice." Meanwhile, the women's team also secured gold, thanks in part to Megan Keller's heroics in overtime. These victories marked a rare achievement for U.S. hockey, adding to the Games' legacy of unforgettable narratives.
Mikaela Shiffrin's journey was one of redemption and triumph. After struggling to reach the podium in previous Olympics, the 30-year-old skier claimed her third gold medal in the slalom events, dominating with a margin of
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/23/2026