Every Olympic Games produces both heartbreak and glory. While some athletes left Milano-Cortina with unfulfilled ambitions, others rose to the occasion and delivered performances that defined the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Senior editor Kjell-Erik Kristiansen, who has covered eight previous Olympic Games, highlights those who succeeded on the biggest stage of all.

Also Read – Olympics 2026: All medalists in cross-country skiing and biathlon

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo

No one above him, no one beside him. Six additional Olympic gold medals brought his total to eleven, confirming his position among the greatest Winter Olympians in history.

Perhaps most impressive is his consistency. Championship after championship, he delivers. His ability to stay healthy, motivated, and technically sharp year after year sets him apart. Many believed it was possible, but executing it is something else entirely. And there are no signs that his dominance is nearing its end.

Frida Karlsson

She radiated confidence throughout the Games. The pre-camp with Klæbo and company proved highly effective. In the first two distance races, she was dominant, winning by margins rarely seen at the Olympic level.

Her preparation was meticulous, and she maximized her potential. Illness prevented her from starting the 50km, but two gold medals and one silver still made this a historic championship for the Swedish star.

Ebba Andersson

Her form did not appear perfectly timed in the opening races, and the gap to Karlsson was unusually large. The relay fall was a setback.

But her response in the 50km was masterful. She controlled the race and delivered what many consider the strongest single performance of the Games in cross-country skiing.

Nadja Kälin

The 24-year-old from St. Moritz confirmed her breakthrough. Silver in the team sprint and bronze in the 50km marked a major step forward for Swiss cross-country skiing.

In a sport often dominated by Norway and Sweden, Kälin’s performances were important for the broader international landscape.

Emil Iversen

Absent from the top level for several seasons, Iversen reinvented himself. He adjusted training, diet, and lifestyle, returning to elite form.

His Olympic selection was debated. He answered with relay gold and 50km bronze, a remarkable comeback story.

Ben Ogden

Two silver medals made him a historic figure in American cross-country skiing. In the sprint, only Klæbo stood ahead of him. In the team sprint, he and Gus Schumacher secured another silver.

Comparisons to Bill Koch resurfaced, something rarely heard in recent decades.

Mathis Desloges

A 23-year-old French skier who had never reached a World Cup podium before the Games. Suddenly, he was challenging the Norwegians in the skiathlon.

Three Olympic silver medals marked an extraordinary breakthrough. His careful championship preparation paid off in full.

Linn Svahn

After more than a year of injury struggles, her sprint gold was deeply symbolic. Head and shoulder issues had been more serious than publicly known.

She dominated the sprint final and claimed the most important victory of her career before illness ended her Olympic program.

Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist

After multiple World Championship titles in the team sprint, they finally secured Olympic gold together.

They controlled the race and delivered when it mattered most, adding to their reputation as one of the most reliable duos in recent championship history.

Truls Gisselmann and Gustaf Berglund

Amid criticism of Sweden’s men’s team, both delivered personal successes. Gisselmann’s seventh place in the skiathlon was outstanding, while Berglund’s ninth in the 50km confirmed his continued development.

Signs that Swedish men’s skiing may yet rebuild.

Einar Hedegart

Unbeaten in 10km freestyle this season, he secured bronze after leading deep into the final climb. That performance opened the door to relay and team sprint appearances, resulting in two gold medals and one bronze medal, a remarkable Olympic debut.

Johannes Dale-Skjevdal

After struggling early in the Games, he produced a perfect 20-for-20 performance in the final mass start. The only Norwegian without a medal before that race left with gold.

Johan-Olav Botn

Returning from illness and personal tragedy, Botn delivered Olympic gold in the 20km individual with flawless shooting, a powerful response under difficult circumstances.

Quentin Fillon Maillet

A championship specialist once again. Sprint and relay gold were highlights in a Games that brought him three gold medals and one bronze. He continues to peak when it matters most.

Norway’s men’s biathlon team

Only five athletes were selected, creating internal competition. In the end, all five returned home with medals, a testament to extraordinary depth.

Martin Ponsiluoma

Pursuit gold represented the defining moment of his career. Combined with relay bronze, he salvaged pride for Sweden’s biathlon team.

Julia Simon

Her comeback story continued. Gold in the mixed relay and individual, relay gold again, and silver in the mass start. Three gold medals and one silver marked a complete championship performance.

Maren Kirkeeide

From early struggles to sprint gold and relay bronze, the 22-year-old Norwegian demonstrated resilience and composure, achieving a breakthrough championship.

Tereza Vobornikova

Bronze in the final mass start was significant for Czech biathlon. A reminder that established nations can re-emerge on the Olympic stage.

Sturla Holm Lægreid

Amid intense media attention off track, he delivered five medals in five starts. Only gold was missing.

Lisa Vittozzi

Pursuit gold restored Italian pride on home snow. Silver in the mixed relay added further strength to her championship résumé.

Emilien Jacquelin

Unpredictable, aggressive, and fearless. In the men’s relay, he turned a deficit into gold with bold racing and rapid shooting, a reminder of his unique racing style.

Oceane Michelon

After narrowly missing sprint gold, she anchored France to relay gold and later dominated the final mass start to claim her second Olympic gold. A rising star for the future.

Milano-Cortina 2026 once again confirmed that the Olympic stage rewards not only talent, but preparation, resilience, and timing. For these athletes, everything aligned.

And when it mattered most, they delivered.

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