Team USA was able to execute an unbelievable performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. All viewers were able to witness pure talent, strength, and grace. The American athletes were able to compete at the highest level in their different sporting events.
CBS Sports said, “Besides just winning 33 total medals, the United States team was able to continue their great sportsmanship, and inspire so many other athletes and viewers.”
The United States dominated in freestyle skiing and snowboarding. Athletes completed impressive technical tricks, and other skillful moves. The team was able to take home multiple podium places in halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air. Mac Forehand won a silver medal in Men’s big air. Chloe Kim won a silver medal in women’s halfpipe. Jake Canter won a bronze medal in men’s slopestyle. In Alpine skiing and snowboarding, our American athletes were able to compete among some of the best in the world.
Throughout the Winter Olympics, The United States sportsmanship was highlighted in many ways. One athlete went above and beyond and was able to be recognized for his efforts. He won the Olympic Fair Play Award. His name is Ilia Malinin, and he is a figure skater. US Figure Skating said, “After a challenging performance that saw him go from first to eighth place, Malinin immediately cast aside his personal disappointment to warmly embrace and celebrate gold medalist Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan.” Then there was another athlete named Amber Glenn who is also a freestyle skater. She was nominated for the same award as Ilia Malinin. ended up winning. She stopped a filming crew from getting shots of her crying and being extremely emotional.
Those two examples do not mean that other athletes were not sportsmanlike. There are simpler ways to display sportsmanship. Alysa Liu, another figure skater was able to celebrate her gold medal victory with fans and people watching. She also embraced her opponents and honored their skills. The women’s curling team used honesty as their sportsmanship when a rule dispute showed up. The team chose honesty over getting a competitive advantage against Italy.
Both the men and women’s hockey teams won gold medals. The crazy part is that both of the teams went against Canada for the gold game. Then both of the games ended up going to overtime. On top of all that, the final score of both games was 2-1. The only difference here is that the women’s team had won gold in 2018, while the last time that the men’s team won gold was all the way back in 1980. The NCAA says, “For the first time in 46 years, Team USA won Olympic gold in men’s ice hockey, defeating Canada in the gold-medal game of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The last U.S. team to win gold was the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” group.”
Overall The United States did not disappoint. They were able to give a strong performance, with determined athletes. There is young talent on this team, so the future looks even brighter. With their showing they proved to everyone why they are so entertaining to watch.
