Oslo, February 23, 2026 – The Europe Today: Norway has once again emerged as the standout nation at the Winter Olympics, topping the medal table and surpassing countries with far larger populations in a historic display of sporting excellence.
The Scandinavian nation secured 18 gold medals and 41 total medals, outperforming the United States, which finished second with 12 gold medals and 33 overall medals. Norway’s 18 golds mark the highest number ever achieved by a single country in Winter Olympics history.
Klæbo Leads Historic Campaign
A major contributor to Norway’s success was cross-country skiing star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who claimed six gold medals — more than all but seven countries managed collectively at this year’s Games. His performance sealed a historic sweep and further cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Norwegian athletes Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget and Emil Iversen also played pivotal roles in strengthening the country’s dominance in cross-country skiing.
Small Nation, Big Achievement
Norway’s achievements are particularly remarkable given its modest population of approximately 5.7 million. The country outperformed winter sports heavyweights such as:
- China (1.4 billion)
- Germany (84 million)
- Italy (59 million)
- Canada (40 million)
The Netherlands also impressed, finishing with 10 gold medals — equal to host nation Italy — despite its population of around 18 million, underscoring how smaller nations can excel through focused investment and sporting culture.
Strong Performances Beyond Traditional Powers
It was also a landmark Games for countries with more modest winter sports traditions. Great Britain recorded its best-ever Winter Olympics medal haul with three golds, a silver and a bronze. Australia matched that gold tally, adding two silvers and one bronze for a historic campaign.
While the United States finished second overall, its 12 gold medals represented the highest number the country has ever achieved at a Winter Olympics.
A Culture of Sporting Excellence
Norway’s Winter Olympics dominance is not a new phenomenon. The country has won the most gold medals at every Winter Olympics since 2014, tying with Germany in 2018. Its broader sporting excellence extends beyond winter disciplines, producing world-class athletes such as:
- Erling Haaland (football)
- Ada Hegerberg (football)
- Casper Ruud (tennis)
- Viktor Hovland (golf)
- Jakob Ingebrigtsen (athletics)
- Solfrid Koanda (weightlifting)
While Norway’s climate and mountainous terrain provide natural advantages for winter sports, experts note that additional factors contribute to its sustained success. The country ranks among the wealthiest in the world per capita, and participation in sports and outdoor activities forms a central part of Norwegian culture and daily life.
Overall, Norway’s record-breaking campaign reinforces its status as a Winter Olympics powerhouse — proving once again that population size is no barrier to global sporting supremacy.
