Winter Olympics 2026: USA Wins Two Golds Early
Introduction
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are underway, running from February 6 to 22, 2026, across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy. With nearly 2,900 athletes from over 90 countries competing in 116 medal events, the Games showcase elite winter sports talent on a global stage.
For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and the Indian diaspora spread across the US, UK, Canada, Middle East, Australia, and beyond, these Olympics offer exciting viewing — especially with standout performances from Team USA, where many NRIs reside and follow closely. As of February 9, 2026 (morning IST), the United States has secured two gold medals in high-profile events, placing second in the gold-medal standings, while Norway leads overall.
NRIGlobe.com brings you reliable, timely coverage tailored for the global Indian community — from medal updates and athlete stories to streaming options accessible worldwide.
Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony Recap
The Games opened on February 6 with the theme “Armonia” (Harmony), blending performances at Milan’s San Siro Stadium and Cortina venues. The ceremony highlighted Italian culture, winter heritage, and unity — a fitting start watched by millions, including diaspora audiences tuning in from different time zones.
Current Medal Table – Winter Olympics 2026
(As of end of February 8, 2026 – 13 of 116 events completed; official IOC data)
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway (NOR) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 2 | United States (USA) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 | Italy (ITA) Host | 1 | 2 | 6 | 9 |
| 4 | Japan (JPN) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 5 | Austria (AUT) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | Germany (GER) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 7 | Czechia (CZE) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 7 | France (FRA) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 7 | Sweden (SWE) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 10 | Switzerland (SUI) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Source: Official Olympics.com / IOC. Ranked by gold medals first, then silver, then bronze. Italy leads in total medals due to strong home performances.
Key Highlights & USA Results (February 7–8, 2026)
February 7 – Opening Day
- Men’s Alpine Skiing Downhill: Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen took the first gold; Italy claimed silver and bronze in front of home crowds.
February 8 – USA’s Golden Day
- Women’s Alpine Skiing Downhill: Breezy Johnson (USA) stormed to gold with a time of 1:36.10, beating Germany’s Emma Aicher by 0.04 seconds. Italy’s Sofia Goggia earned bronze.
- Figure Skating – Team Event: Team USA defended their Olympic title convincingly. Ilia Malinin delivered a standout free skate (200.03 points, five quads) to seal gold over Japan (silver) and Italy (bronze).
These victories resonate strongly with NRIs in the United States, where large Indian-American communities celebrate American athletic success alongside global sports.
Other Notable Results
- Cross-country skiathlon (men): Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo won his sixth Olympic gold.
- Speed skating: Norway’s Sander Eitrem (men’s 5000m Olympic record) and Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida (women’s 3000m gold).
- Biathlon mixed relay: France took gold.
Team USA Spotlight – Relevance for NRIs
With two golds and no other medals yet, Team USA has started powerfully in technical events. Many NRIs living in the US follow Team USA closely, especially in figure skating and alpine skiing, where American athletes often dominate headlines. More medals are anticipated in ice hockey, freestyle skiing, and snowboarding — sports popular among younger diaspora viewers.
India & Diaspora Angle
India sent two athletes to Milano Cortina 2026:
- Arif Mohammad Khan (alpine skiing – men’s slalom; second Winter Olympics appearance)
- Stanzin Lundup (cross-country skiing – men’s events)
While medal hopes remain modest, their participation inspires the global Indian community and highlights growing winter sports interest among NRIs and PIOs.
How NRIs Can Watch Winter Olympics 2026
- In the US/Canada: NBC, Peacock (live & on-demand), USA Network.
- In the UK/Europe: BBC iPlayer, Eurosport, discovery+.
- In Middle East/UAE: beIN Sports, OSN.
- In Australia: Channel 7, 7plus.
- In India & worldwide: Official Olympics Channel, JioCinema (select events), or VPN for Peacock/NBC if accessible.
NRIGlobe.com will continue daily recaps, medal trackers, and diaspora-focused insights.
Upcoming Key Events (February 9–10, 2026)
- Women’s ice hockey: USA vs Switzerland (preliminary).
- Skeleton, alpine skiing, and more figure skating events.
- Full schedule on Olympics.com.
Conclusion
Milano Cortina 2026 has delivered early thrills, with Norway leading golds, Italy topping total medals, and Team USA making a strong statement through Breezy Johnson and Ilia Malinin’s victories. For NRIs worldwide, these Games offer pride in adopted nations’ successes and inspiration from India’s growing winter presence.
Stay connected with NRIGlobe.com for trusted, NRI-centric Winter Olympics 2026 coverage — medal updates, athlete features, and global viewing guides.
Author: Priya Sharma Senior Sports & Diaspora Correspondent Priya has covered multiple Olympic cycles with a focus on NRI and PIO achievements in global sports.
Last Updated: February 9, 2026 – 08:46 AM IST Primary Sources: Olympics.com official results, IOC, NBC Olympics reporting
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