Home 2026 OLYMPICS SPORTS Milano Cortina 2026: Winter Olympics Highlights — 10 Memorable Moments

Milano Cortina 2026: Winter Olympics Highlights — 10 Memorable Moments

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Top 10 moments of the 2026 winter olympics

Relive the most unforgettable moments from the Milano Cortina Games, featuring historic wins, dramatic upsets, and heartwarming stories.


Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo made history at the Milano Cortina Games by winning six gold medals in six events...


The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina have been filled with unforgettable moments, and one of the most memorable is Lindsey Vonn's courageous yet heartbreaking crash on the downhill run in Cortina d'Ampezzo. The 41-year-old skiing legend had come out of a five-year retirement to compete in her fifth Games, determined to become the oldest athlete to win a medal in the downhill, despite suffering an ACL injury just before the Games.


Vonn's determination was evident as she took to the slopes, but her Olympic dreams were cut short when she crashed just 13.4 seconds into the women's downhill final, suffering a complex tibia fracture in her left leg. The incident sparked an outpouring of emotions, with fans and fellow athletes alike expressing shock and support for Vonn's remarkable comeback attempt.


Despite her devastating injury, Vonn has shown remarkable resilience and strength, undergoing multiple surgeries and addressing critics who questioned her decision to compete with an ACL injury. Her bravery and dedication to her sport have inspired many, making her crash one of the most memorable moments of the 2026 Winter Olympics.




Lindsey Vonn's Olympic dreams were shattered just 12 seconds into the downhill race, when her legs gave way beneath her and she tumbled after hitting a bump. The crowd at the finish line fell silent as she was stretchered off the mountain, a stark reminder of the dangers of alpine skiing.


The atmosphere leading up to the race had been electric, with excitement building for one of the most anticipated events of the Games. But Vonn's dramatic fall quickly turned the mood sombre, highlighting the risks athletes take in this high-speed sport. Breezy Johnson went on to win the gold medal, but Vonn's evacuation by helicopter will be the lasting image.


Ilia Malinin's Historic Backflip


Ilia Malinin made history at the 2026 Winter Olympics by becoming the first skater to complete a backflip at the Games since Terry Kubicka in 1976. This daring move, watched by tennis legend Novak Djokovic, earned Malinin widespread recognition and cemented his status as a trailblazer in figure skating.


The backflip was initially banned by the International Skating Union (ISU) in 1977 due to safety concerns. However, after being officially recognized by the Union two years ago, Malinin seized the opportunity to revive the move, making him the first skater to legally perform a backflip at the Olympics in 50 years.


Malinin's backflip was a highlight of his performance, showcasing his exceptional skill and artistry. The move, which carries no set point value, contributed to his component score and earned him a standing ovation from the crowd.


Ilia Malinin's historic backflip at the 2026 Winter Olympics was a game-changer, but it wasn't enough to secure the gold medal. The 21-year-old American skater, dubbed the “Quad God,” finished second with a score of 98.00, behind Japan's Yuma Kagiyama, who scored 108.67. Malinin's daring move was previously banned by the International Skating Union (ISU) due to safety concerns, but it was reinstated in 2024.


Before Malinin's feat, skaters attempting the backflip risked penalties, like French skater Surya Bonaly, who was penalized at the 1998 Nagano Olympics and finished tenth. Malinin's achievement has sparked interest in Bonaly's iconic moment, showcasing the evolution of figure skating and the growing freedom for athletes to push boundaries.


Ilia Malinin's historic backflip at the 2026 Winter Olympics was a game-changer, but it wasn't enough to secure the gold medal. The 21-year-old American skater, dubbed the "Quad God," finished second with a score of 98.00, behind Japan's Yuma Kagiyama, who scored 108.67. Malinin's daring move was previously banned by the International Skating Union (ISU) due to safety concerns, but it was reinstated in 2024.


Before Malinin's feat, skaters attempting the backflip risked penalties, like French skater Surya Bonaly, who was penalized at the 1998 Nagano Olympics and finished tenth. Malinin's achievement has sparked interest in Bonaly's iconic moment, showcasing the evolution of figure skating and the growing freedom for athletes to push boundaries.


Atle Lie McGrath's Heartbreaking Meltdown


Atle Lie McGrath's gold-medal hopes in the Olympic slalom were dashed in a heartbreaking turn of events. The Vermont-born, Norway-raised skier had a big lead going into the final run, but a mistimed turn proved costly. McGrath got his foot on the wrong side of the gate, lost control, and crashed out of contention.


McGrath's frustration and disappointment boiled over as he lost control of his emotions in an epic meltdown. The usually composed skier was visibly distraught, unable to contain his anger and sadness. It was a raw and emotional reaction, showcasing the intense pressure and passion that comes with competing at the Olympic level.


Atle Lie McGrath's emotional breakdown was a heart-wrenching sight to behold. After missing out on the gold medal, he tossed his poles over the safety netting, climbed the fence, and walked into the woods, where he lay down on his back in the snow. This extraordinary reaction was a result of the immense pressure and emotional toll of losing his grandfather, Svein Lie, who passed away on the day of the opening ceremony.


McGrath had been hoping to honor his grandfather's memory with a gold medal win, but it wasn't meant to be. He later explained that the loss, combined with the pressure of the Olympics, was overwhelming. "I lost someone I love so much and... I just needed some time for myself," he said. McGrath's reaction has sparked debate about the pressure athletes face and whether emotional outbursts are justified in such situations.


Ebba Andersson's Dramatic Crash

Ebba Andersson's hopes of a gold medal were dashed when she crashed spectacularly during the second leg of the 4 x 7.5km relay, forcing her to race with one ski for over 30 seconds. Despite the setback, Team Sweden battled back to earn a stunning silver medal.


Andersson, who had been leading, lost her right ski after a collision, and had to run with it under her arm while waiting for a replacement. The incident dropped Sweden to seventh place, but they rallied to finish second, 50 seconds behind Norway's gold-winning team.


Ebba Andersson's dramatic crash during the women's 4 x 7.5km relay at the 2026 Winter Olympics is still being talked about. She was leading when her right ski broke, forcing her to run with it under her arm for over 30 seconds. The chaotic scene was made even more dramatic when a Swedish technician slipped and fell while trying to assist her.


Despite the setback, Team Sweden rallied to take the silver medal, finishing 50 seconds behind Norway's gold-winning team. Andersson's crash was a major blow to Sweden's title hopes, but her teammates showed remarkable resilience to recover.


The Canadian Men's Curling team was embroiled in controversy at the 2026 Winter Olympics after Swedish skipper Oskar Eriksson accused Marc Kennedy of cheating by touching the stone more than once during delivery. Kennedy's response, "You can f*** off,” sparked a heated debate, with some calling for stricter rules and video reviews.


Despite the controversy, Team Canada went on to win the gold medal, defeating Great Britain 9-6 in the final. Skip Brad Jacobs defended his team, saying, “For anyone who called us cheaters... I hope that the image of us standing on top of the podium, embracing one another, smiling ear to ear with our gold medals is burned into your brain forever.”


The World Curling Federation's rules allow players to retouch the handle as many times as they wish before the hog line, which seemed to be the point of contention in the Canada-Sweden match. The controversy surrounding Marc Kennedy's alleged infraction sparked a heated debate, with some questioning the Canadians' integrity.


The accusations didn't stop there, as Canadian women's captain Rachel Homan faced similar allegations the next day. Despite both teams denying any wrongdoing, the controversy left a sour taste, overshadowing their gold medal wins and raising questions about their tactics.



A Shocking Confession

Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid made headlines when he confessed to cheating on his girlfriend on live TV after winning a bronze medal in the 20km individual biathlon at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Laegreid, 28, revealed that he had an affair three months ago and had told his girlfriend about it a week prior to the Olympic race.


A Desperate Plea

Laegreid's emotional confession was a desperate attempt to win his girlfriend back, saying “I had a gold medal in life... I'm sure many people now see me in a different light, but I only have eyes for her
”He added that he hoped his public admission would make his ex-girlfriend realize how much he loves her.



Reaction and Aftermath

Laegreid's ex-girlfriend has reportedly stated it's "hard to forgive" him, even after his public declaration of love. The biathlete has since apologized for his actions and is facing the consequences of his mistake.


Laegreid said it had been “the worst week of my life” since he told his girlfriend of six months about the affair. “There's someone I wanted to share it with who might not be watching,” he told NRK, Norway's state broadcaster, external.


"Six months ago, I met the love of my life - the most beautiful and kindest person in the world. Three months ago, I made my biggest mistake and cheated on her. I had the gold medal in life, and I am sure many people will see things differently, but I only have eyes for her.”


Sturla Holm Laegreid apologized to fellow Norwegian Johan Olav Botn, who won gold in the biathlon, saying he had "stolen" attention away from Botn's accomplishment. Laegreid's emotional confession on live TV had overshadowed Botn's win, and he later reached out to acknowledge the shift in focus.



Klaebo's Unprecedented Achievement

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo made history at the Milano Cortina Games by winning six gold medals in six events, cementing his status as the greatest Winter Olympian of all time. His incredible performance has taken his career total to 11 gold medals, surpassing the previous record held by Eric Heiden.



A Legendary Career

Klaebo's journey to greatness began at the 2018 Winter Olympics, where he claimed three gold medals. He added two more in Beijing in 2022, setting the stage for his record-breaking performance in Cortina. With his six gold medals in 2026, Klaebo has solidified his position as one of the greatest Olympians of all time, second only to Michael Phelps in terms of overall gold medals.



Dominance in Cross-Country Skiing

Klaebo's dominance in cross-country skiing has been remarkable, winning every event he entered at the Milano Cortina Games. His victories include the 10km freestyle, 20km skiathlon, sprint classic, 4x7.5km relay, team sprint free, and 50km classic. Klaebo's impressive performance has taken Norway to new heights, helping the country break its own record for most gold medals won at a single Winter Olympics.


Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo's performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics has been nothing short of phenomenal, with gold medals in individual, skiathlon, sprint, relay, and team sprint competitions, solidifying Norway's dominance in the games. His uphill run in the men's classic sprint was a standout moment, with Klaebo seemingly defying gravity as he powered up the steepest part of the course.


The image of Klaebo executing the sprint has become one of the most shared moments of the Games, drawing thousands of new viewers into the world of cross-country skiing. His incredible athleticism and technique have made him a fan favorite, and his record-breaking sixth gold medal at a single Winter Olympics is a testament to his exceptional skill.




Eileen Gu has made history by becoming the most decorated Olympic freestyle skier of all time, retaining her women's halfpipe crown at the Winter Games with a total of six medals. Gu's impressive performance earned her a gold medal, with a score of 94.75, surpassing her compatriot Li Fanghui's silver medal score of 93.00, and Zoe Atkin's bronze medal score of 92.50 from Britain.


Gu's achievement is even more remarkable given her decision to represent China, her mother's homeland, instead of the United States, where she was born and raised. This decision has sparked controversy, with some critics questioning her loyalty to the US. Despite this, Gu has cemented her position as one of the greatest freestyle skiers of all time, and her legacy continues to inspire young athletes around the world.




Eileen Gu bounced back from a disappointing opening round to secure the gold medal in the women's halfpipe, nailing her second and third runs to top the standings with a score of 94.75. This victory adds to her silver medals in big air and slopestyle, cementing her position as the most decorated Olympic freestyle skier of all time.


Gu's achievement is all the more impressive given the controversy surrounding her decision to compete for China. Born in San Francisco to an American father and a Chinese mother, Gu has faced criticism and debate, both within the US and abroad, for her choice to represent China since 2019. Despite this, she's focused on her sport and is now a trailblazer for Chinese freestyle skiing.


Team USA's Historic Win

Team USA has made history by winning their first Olympic men's hockey gold medal in 46 years, defeating Canada 2-1 in an intense overtime match. Jack Hughes scored the winning goal, securing the US team's third gold medal in Olympic play.


The US team's victory marks a sweep of hockey gold medals at the Olympics, with both men's and women's teams taking home the top prize, both defeating Canada in thrilling matches.



The US took an early lead when Matt Boldy scored a highlight-reel goal after just six minutes, beating Canada's goalie Jordan Binnington with a slick move between Cale Makar and Devon Toews. Canada quickly responded, with Cale Makar tying the game late in the second period, setting the stage for a thrilling final period.


The match lived up to its billing, with US goalie Connor Hellebuyck making 40 saves in the 60 minutes. The game ultimately came down to three-on-three overtime, where Jack Hughes collected a pass from Zach Werenski and calmly fired the puck into the net, securing the US win with a score of 2-1.


Jutta Leerdam Faces Criticism for Private Jet Arrival

Jutta Leerdam, the Dutch speed-skating star engaged to boxing sensation Jake Paul, sparked controversy by arriving at the Olympics on a private jet instead of traveling with her teammates. Critics labeled her “arrogant” and a “diva” for this decision.


Despite the criticism, Leerdam proved she's more than just glitz and glamour by winning silver in the women's 500m, marking her third Olympic medal. Her standout performance came earlier when she captured Olympic gold in the 1000m, breaking the Olympic record.


Even in her moment of triumph, Leerdam faced controversy after unzipping her racing suit to reveal a white Nike sports bra. The move sparked debate, with some accusing her of ambush marketing. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ruled that Leerdam had broken no rules, stating that unzipping suits is normal practice in speed skating.



The controversy surrounding Jutta Leerdam's sports bra reveal just got more interesting. A photo of her wearing the Nike sports bra was posted to Nike's Instagram, which has a massive 298 million followers. Given Leerdam's commercial partnership with Nike, it's believed she might have earned around $1 million from the stunt [5][8][11]. 

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