The Real Olympic Winners and Losers Beyond the Medal Count

Medal tables tell only half the story. Norway topped the charts with 41 total medals at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics, followed by the US with 33 and Italy with 30. But the numbers miss the human drama that makes Olympic moments truly unforgettable.

Credit card fraud, adultery confessions, and alleged penis injections—this year's Games served up scandals as compelling as the athletic performances. Behind every statistic lies a story that reveals something deeper about competition, identity, and what we're willing to sacrifice for success.

The Comeback Queen: Alysa Liu

Alysa Liu's gold medal represents more than athletic excellence—it's a masterclass in finding your way back to joy. The 16-year-old who retired after placing sixth at the 2022 Beijing Olympics returned two years later to claim the sport's highest honor.

What did she want during her retirement? "To go to college, hang out with my siblings, get a driver's license, and chill out with my cats." Simple teenage pleasures that elite skating had made impossible.

Skating to Donna Summer's "MacArthur Park," Liu delivered a performance that balanced technical prowess with pure artistry. Her spins and dance sequences rivaled her jumps, but what captivated audiences was the unmistakable joy radiating from every movement.

"I was peak happiness when I was out there on the ice. Nothing could bring me higher than that," she told NBC. Everyone watching could feel it.

Unexpected Losers

Canada's "Nice" Reputation

The world discovered that Canadians—those perpetually polite, apologetic people—are capable of cheating. In curling, no less.

Marc Kennedy's alleged double-touch of the stone after the "hog line" sparked controversy with Sweden's team. Kennedy's expletive-laden response to the accusation shattered the stereotype of unfailingly courteous Canadians.

Canada still won gold, but now we know: even the nicest people have their breaking point.

US Men's Hockey Team's Hollow Victory

Defeating Canada for gold should have been pure celebration. Instead, the team's post-game festivities became a political minefield. FBI Director Kash Patel's locker room appearance and President Trump's congratulatory call—complete with a joke about "reluctantly" inviting the women's team—overshadowed the athletic achievement.

The US women's hockey team had dominated the Olympics and set the gold standard for two years. Yet they were treated as an afterthought to the men's celebration.

The Polarizing Champion: Eileen Gu

Eileen Gu collected three more medals (one gold, two silver) to bring her Olympic total to six, cementing her status as the most decorated freeskier in history. Born in America, educated at Stanford, but competing for China—she embodies the complexities of modern athletic identity.

JD Vance didn't mince words: "Somebody who grew up in the United States of America, who benefited from our education system, from the freedoms and liberties that make this country a great place, I would hope that they want to compete with the United States of America."

Gu's response was characteristically direct: "If I wasn't doing well, I think that they probably wouldn't care as much." Her success makes her a target, but it also proves a uncomfortable truth—athletes don't need America's backing to achieve commercial success.

Compare Table: Two Approaches to Olympic Success