Featured in the Feb. 6 opening ceremony was the simultaneous lighting of two Olympic cauldrons, symbolizing Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo as the co-host cities for the Winter Olympic Games.

After 17 days of historic firsts, record-breaking performances and unexpected controversy, the curtains were drawn on the 2026 Winter Olympics at the historic Verona Arena on Feb. 22.

This marked the first time in history a Winter Olympic Games closing ceremony was held at a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, the Olympic Games saw more than 2,000 athletes from over 90 countries compete in various disciplines.

Brazil wins gold for the first time ever

Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won the first Winter Olympic medal for the country. He is now the first athlete representing a South American nation to win a Winter Olympic gold. In an interview with CNN, he said that he hopes this gold medal can shed light on the power of people’s differences.

U.S. Ice Hockey teams make jaw-dropping history

Both the U.S. women’s and men’s ice hockey teams won gold at the same Winter Olympics, making it the first time for both teams.

The men’s team won 2-1 in an overtime game against Canada.

This day marked the first time in 46 years the U.S. men’s ice hockey team won gold.

The last time American men won gold for ice hockey was in 1980 when they defeated the Soviet Union.

History repeated itself and the U.S. women’s ice hockey team won gold in a startling overtime game against Canada. The score was an identical 2-1.

Norway’s medal dominance

Norwegian athletes proved their prowess by topping the medal count for the third consecutive games.

They concluded the winter games with a record-breaking 41 medals.

Norway topped their own 2018 record at the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games where they won 39 medals.

First mother-son duo at the games

Sarah Schleper and Lasse Gaxiola from Mexico made history as the first mother-son duo to compete at the Winter Olympic Games.

It was Gaxiola’s first game and his mother’s seventh. She is also the oldest female Alpine skier to compete at a Winter Olympic Games.

Italian Arianna Fontana wins big

Arianna Fontana was triumphant on her home soil by becoming the first woman to win a medal at six consecutive Winter Olympic Games.

The short track skater concluded her career as the second most decorated Winter Olympian, and the most decorated short track Olympian.

Controversy off the Ice

In spite of the memorable historic moments seen at the 2026 games, it was not without controversy. Norwegian biathlete and bronze medalist Sturla Holm Laegreid unexpectedly made an emotional confession in a post-race interview.

“Six months ago I met the love of my life. The world’s most beautiful, sweetest person. And three months ago I made the biggest mistake of my life and cheated on her,” Laegreid said.

He wanted her to see what she meant to him. His confession was not well received and he was criticized for taking attention away from Johan-Olav Botn who won gold in the event.

After three days, the Olympic village reportedly ran out of 10,000 free condoms. It was not restocked in time for Valentine’s Day according to reports. An International Olympic Spokesperson did not comment on restocking plans, but he mentioned that the shortage meant “Valentine’s Day is in full swing in the village.”