The first week of the 2026 Winter Olympics has concluded, delivering showstopping performances and upsetting heartbreaks. From record-breaking speed on the ice all the way to emotional victories in the snowy hills, Team USA is prepared to finish strong this year in Milan and Cortina. With medals piling as high as the snow, everyone can see just how determined the American team is to give their all as they head into week two.
The United States is currently in second place with its medal count for these Olympics, securing seven gold medals, eleven silver medals, and six bronze medals, trailing behind Norway and Italy. One of the top performers in Milan and Cortina is the 21-year-old speed skater Jordan Stolz, who had an outstanding Olympic debut, winning the men’s 1,000-meter event on Wednesday, earning his first-ever medal, and setting an Olympic record at the same time. Stolz also won the men’s 500-meter event, setting another Olympic record. Stolz has one race left, the men’s 1,500-meter race, and fans are excited to see what this star will bring to his last race. Stolz explained how his mindset going into the race was, “You get one shot to try and win, so I’m not gonna have any negative things that I’m thinking about, ‘cause that’s not actually gonna help anything at all” (DeSantis, 2026).
Another spectacular performance at the Olympics was the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams. Both are undefeated after the first week and are going for gold, maintaining their momentum and determination in these long two weeks. Ice hockey is one of the few events that stretches over the entire two weeks of the Olympics, making it one of the toughest to maintain performance in. No matter the pressure, both teams have been strong on defense and diligent on offense, scoring goal after goal, and shining brightly in this sport. The men’s ice hockey team is preparing to battle for their first chance at a gold medal in almost 50 years, while the women’s team is seeking redemption, needing a victory over their toughest rival, Canada. After losing to them at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, the women are determined not to repeat the past and earn gold for Team USA (Jackson, 2026).
Other highlights and victories the 2026 Winter Olympics have brought the United States are Elena Meyers Taylor, a veteran bobsledder for Team USA, has won five medals prior to this Olympics, but was never able to secure gold until Monday, winning the monobob, making her the most decorated female U.S. Winter Olympian ever, tying with speed skating legend Bonnie Blair (CNN, 2026). In women’s curling, the United States defeated Canada for the first time in eight Olympic Games on Friday in a tenth-end comeback. The final score was nine to eight, making it an event for the history books. Many other talented athletes have also showcased their skills throughout the Olympic Games, but not everyone can have an amazing performance.
Most people watching the Olympics at home forget that while the headlines are about showstopping performances and once-in-a-lifetime moments, there are also heartbreaks when the pressure becomes too much to handle. Team USA has had numerous injuries before and during the Olympics, resulting in lower places on the podium, earning fewer medals for the United States than anticipated. The most notable injury was to American skier, Lindsey Vonn. Before the Olympics began in February, Vonn completely ruptured her left ACL in Switzerland, but decided to fight through the injury and pain to compete in her event. What most fans thought might be an epic comeback turned into a disaster. “During the Olympic downhill in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Vonn clipped a gate thirteen seconds into her run. The high-speed crash left her with a complex tibia fracture in her left leg” (Ankit, 2026). Vonn has already undergone four surgeries regarding the injuries in her leg. Von’s toughest race now may be getting back to health, focusing on regaining her strength in simple tasks rather than high-level skiing.
One of the more notable upsets at these Olympics was the 21-year-old figure skater Ilia Malinin. Starting out strong, Ilia became the talk of the Olympics after delivering an amazing short program, setting himself up for gold going into the free skate round. However, things took a turn as Malinin struggled with his signature quadruple jumps, causing him to slip and stumble, disrupting his rhythm, and making him chase points rather than control his energy. One mistake after another, Malinin’s performance is an example of how the stress and pressure of competing at the highest level in sports can affect anyone, no matter how much they are leading by or how strong a routine they give. After Malinin’s final performance, he was no longer in the running for gold and placed eighth. Despite Malinin’s personal disappointment and feeling as if he let fans down as well, he showed courage in finishing his routine, even when he thought it was impossible (Graham, 2026).
Not all hope is lost, though, as less than one week remains for the United States in the Olympics. Team USA ranks in a solid second place in medal count, but with the great depth of American talent, each athlete still battling has a chance for gold as long as they maintain their determination and motivation. With all the headline moments and podium finishes, the United States enters week two with strong momentum, ready to finish the 2026 Olympic Games with confidence, leaving nothing behind. Fans can tune in to the end of Olympic coverage on NBC or Peacock until Sunday, February 22.
