The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are well underway, and once again, the Nordic nations are reminding the world why Scandinavia and winter sport are practically synonymous. From the snow-swept cross-country trails to the biathlon shooting range and the high-flying ski jumps, Norway, Sweden, and Finland have arrived in northern Italy with fierce ambitions and centuries of winter tradition behind them. Here is everything you need to know about how the Nordic countries are performing at this year’s Games.
Norway: The Unstoppable Winter Sports Powerhouse
It should come as no surprise that Norway is once again leading the medal table at a Winter Olympics. As of mid-February 2026, Norway tops the standings with seven gold medals and fourteen total medals, setting the pace in the race for overall supremacy. At Beijing 2022, Norway’s sixteen gold medals set a new record for any nation at a single Winter Games, and the team in Milano Cortina appears determined to defend that legacy.
The standout star is, without question, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo. The cross-country skiing legend has already claimed two gold medals at these Games, winning the men’s skiathlon and the men’s sprint classic. With seven career Olympic golds to his name, Klæbo is now just one victory away from matching the all-time record for the most decorated male Olympic cross-country skier in history. His dominance on the trails is a testament to Norway’s deeply rooted skiing culture, where children learn to ski almost as soon as they can walk.
Beyond Klæbo, Norway has shown remarkable depth across multiple disciplines. Johan-Olav Botn delivered a stunning upset in the men’s 20km biathlon individual event, claiming gold on his Olympic debut with pinpoint shooting accuracy, while teammate Sturla Holm Lægreid captured the bronze. Jens Lurås Oftebro added another gold in the Nordic combined, and Ragne Wiklund earned a bronze in the women’s 5,000m speed skating. Norway also secured a silver medal in the ski jumping mixed team event.
Sweden: Skiing Excellence and Ice Hockey Ambitions
Sweden has established itself as a formidable force at Milano Cortina 2026, sitting comfortably in the upper half of the medal table with three gold, two silver, and one bronze medal. The Swedes have particularly excelled in cross-country skiing, where Frida Karlsson captured gold in the women’s skiathlon while teammate Ebba Andersson took the silver, giving Sweden a remarkable one-two finish on the podium.
Sweden also triumphed in mixed doubles curling, adding another gold to their tally. The nation has historically been one of the strongest curling nations in the world, and the men’s team led by the legendary Niklas Edin continues to be a serious contender in the men’s tournament as well.
On the ice hockey front, Sweden arrived with a star-studded roster featuring NHL talent like Victor Hedman, who scored his first Olympic goal as Sweden cruised past Italy in the preliminary round. The Swedes face fierce Nordic rival Finland in a highly anticipated Group B clash, rekindling one of hockey’s greatest international rivalries on the Olympic stage.
Finland: Ice Hockey Hopes and Nordic Grit
While Finland is yet to register on the medal table at the time of writing, the Finns are far from out of the picture. Finland’s greatest Olympic strength has traditionally been ice hockey, and the defending Olympic champions from Beijing 2022 have arrived in Milano Cortina with every intention of repeating that historic triumph. The Finnish men’s and women’s teams are both actively competing in the preliminary rounds, with the men facing off against Sweden in a match that carries enormous national pride for both countries.
Finland’s Olympic story has always been one of sisu, that uniquely Finnish quality of resilience, determination, and quiet courage. With many medal events still to come across cross-country skiing, biathlon, and ski jumping, Finland’s best opportunities may well lie ahead in the second week of competition.
Why Do the Nordic Nations Dominate Winter Sports?
The Nordic countries’ supremacy at the Winter Olympics is no accident. It is the product of geography, climate, culture, and centuries of tradition woven deeply into the fabric of everyday life. Cross-country skiing was born in northern Europe out of sheer necessity, as Scandinavians needed to travel long distances across snowy terrain between small, isolated communities during harsh winters. What began as a means of survival evolved into a national pastime and eventually into competitive sport.
The term friluftsliv, meaning open-air living, captures the Norwegian philosophy that the outdoors is not merely a place to visit but an essential part of human wellbeing. This cultural attitude means that Nordic children grow up skiing, skating, and embracing winter rather than hiding from it. Government investment in winter sport infrastructure, combined with strong national sporting federations and a culture that celebrates athletic achievement, creates a pipeline of world-class talent generation after generation.
Norway alone has won more Winter Olympic medals than any other country in history, with well over 400 medals across all Games. Sweden and Finland are also consistently among the top-performing nations, particularly in skiing, biathlon, and ice hockey.
The Road Ahead: What to Watch in the Second Week
With the Milano Cortina 2026 Games running through February 22, there is still plenty of action to come for Nordic fans. Key events to watch include the remaining cross-country skiing races, where Klæbo could make history, the biathlon relay events where Norway and Sweden traditionally battle for gold, and the latter stages of the ice hockey tournament, where both Sweden and Finland harbour genuine medal aspirations.
The Nordic combined and ski jumping events will also offer further opportunities for Scandinavian athletes to add to their nations’ tallies. And in speed skating and freestyle skiing, emerging Nordic talent could spring a surprise or two before the closing ceremony.
One thing is certain: wherever there is snow and ice at the Olympics, you can expect to find the flags of Norway, Sweden, and Finland flying high. The 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina are proving once again that winter sport and Scandinavian culture are inseparable.
Scandification: Discovering Scandinavia.
