Winter Games deliver historic performances, sell-out crowds and unprecedented global engagement.
Italy | Sayer Zaland
At the halfway mark of the Milano Cortina 2026, the Olympic Winter Games are delivering record-breaking sport, full venues and a vibrant atmosphere across Italy’s iconic host regions.
So far, six Olympic records and one world record have been broken, reflecting the exceptional standard of competition on snow and ice. A historic milestone came on 14 February when Brazil won its first-ever Winter Olympic medal, as Lucas Pinheiro Braathen claimed gold in the men’s alpine skiing giant slalom — the first Winter Games medal for a South American nation.
Athletes from more than 90 National Olympic Committees are competing, including debut Winter Olympic appearances by Benin, Guinea-Bissau and the United Arab Emirates. Among the competitors are 249 athletes from 74 NOCs supported by Olympic Solidarity scholarships, who have already won seven medals, including two gold.
The Games are also drawing massive crowds on site. A total of 1.27 million tickets have been sold, with more than 500,000 spectators already attending competitions. Fan Villages have welcomed over 250,000 visitors, while cauldron shows and partner activations continue to attract large audiences across Milan and the mountain venues.
Globally, engagement with the Games has reached unprecedented levels. Broadcasters and digital platforms are reporting record audiences, while official Olympic social media channels have generated more than 7.9 billion engagements. Digital platforms and streaming services are also on track to surpass usage figures from previous Winter Games.
As the Games move into their final phase, Milano Cortina 2026 is emerging not only as a showcase of elite winter sport, but as a global celebration marked by record performances, passionate fans and a distinct Italian spirit felt far beyond the host nation.