Sweden Celebrates Record-Breaking Success at 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina

Sweden concluded the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina with its most successful Winter Games ever, securing a total of 18 medals, including eight gold, six silver, and four bronze. This haul surpassed previous records and marked a historic achievement for Swedish winter sports.

Key highlights included Ebba Andersson's stunning performance, winning gold in the women's 50-kilometer freestyle event held on the final day of competition with a commanding lead of over two minutes. Andersson, who also earned three silver medals earlier in the Games, described her feelings: "I am tired and empty. But very, very happy." Her victory capped a strong presence by female athletes, who claimed most of Sweden's medals.

On the same day, the women's curling team faced off against Switzerland in a gripping final, securing gold with a 6–5 victory. Team member Agnes Knochenhauer expressed disbelief, saying, "We hardly dared to dream of gold. But we won. I can hardly believe it." This marked the second Olympic gold for the team, including players Anna Hasselborg, Sara McManus, and Sofia Scharback.

Other notable triumphs came from Frida Karlsson, who dominated the women's skiathlon by winning gold with a remarkable 51-second margin over silver medalist Ebba Andersson. Karlsson likened her win to "playing a video game," expressing excitement about upcoming challenges. In the women's sprint, Linn Svahn attained gold, overcoming years of injury struggles, accompanied by teammates Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist who earned silver and bronze respectively.

Additionally, Sweden's mixed doubles curling duo Isabella and Rasmus Wranå completed a remarkable comeback, capturing gold after a previous heavy loss to Norway. Martin Ponsiluoma secured gold in the men's biathlon, while Sara Hector took silver in the women's slalom. The women's ski relay team also contributed with a silver medal, marked by Ebba Andersson’s spirited recovery from a fall during the race.

Altogether, Sweden’s medal tally featured a balanced mix of gold, silver, and bronze, emphasizing the depth and resilience of its athletes. The majority of medals were won by women, underscoring their dominant role this year. Sweden’s official count of 18 medals exceeded the 17 won at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, making this its best Winter Olympics ever.

Looking ahead, the next Winter Olympics will be held in France in 2030, where Sweden will aim to build on this historic success.

This record-setting performance was widely celebrated across Sweden, marking a milestone in the nation’s sporting history and inspiring pride among its people.