US Earns Most Gold Medals In Nation’s Winter Olympics History
The United States took home a total of 33 medals at this year’s Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Of those medals, 12 were gold, the most gold the US had ever taken in a Winter Olympic Game.
When US athletes initially arrived in Italy, they faced a multitude of protests and questions regarding the nation’s politics and rising tensions. However, as the Games progressed, the focus was on what truly mattered, pure athletic ability and talent representing the pride these competitors have for their sports.
Some of the most talked about moments were on the ice, with the solo and team performances by US figure skaters as well as the US men’s and women’s hockey teams.
“The men of USA hockey are GOLDEN at the Winter Olympics for the first time since 1980,” the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee said.
The US became the only country outside of Europe to get into the top five nations with most medals at this year’s Winter Games.
Elena Meyers Taylor from Georgia won gold in the “monobob” bobsled event, and said:
“I don’t think I’m going to process this for a while. There were so many moments during this entire season, during these past four years, that we just thought that was impossible.”
At these Winter Games, the US sent over its largest roster of athletes ever, 232 men and women, with 18 states sending no Olympians at all, according to the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s official tally of athletes and their “recognized hometowns.”
Colorado itself accounted for five medals, including three gold, while Vermont and Wyoming accounted for one gold and six silver medals. This is an incredible feat considering how small of a population both states have.
“It’s been a tough road, but sometimes you just have to keep going because that’s the only option. And sometimes when you keep going, maybe you’ll make it back to the top. It’s really special,” said Alpine skier Breezy Johnson from Wyoming, who won gold in women’s downhill.
Norway took home more gold and the most medals overall with 25 of the 41 medals being won within two disciplines: cross-country skiing and biathlon. The US, in comparison, medaled in eleven different sports disciplines, shining in figure skating, hockey, bobsledding, and speedskating.
“It [the gold medal win] means a lot to me,” said Stolz, from Wisconsin, who picked up two gold and a silver.
“It’s every four years that you get the chance to win Olympic gold, so I’m super happy.”
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.