2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics: Key Moments That Captured The World
The Closing Ceremony unfolded inside the nearly 2,000-year-old Verona Arena, with the theme “Beauty in Action.” The stage incorporated flowing water elements to create a visual spectacle. Flag bearers from around the world entered gracefully to timeless Italian classics, filling the stadium with warmth and emotion. The grand finale saw the Olympic flame carried in through a “water droplet” glass vessel before being extinguished simultaneously in both Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, a historic first. The dual-host city Games concluded with poetic symmetry, officially passing the torch to the next host nation.
This edition delivered countless heart-racing, unforgettable highlights. Here are five defining moments that captured the world’s attention.
1 Ilia Malinin Breaks the Ice with a Historic Backflip Return
American figure skating prodigy Ilia Malinin, the “Quad God,” delivered one of the most talked-about performances of the Games. In the men’s singles free skate, he successfully executed a backflip, the first time in nearly half a century that the move was legally permitted under Olympic rules, after being banned in the 1970s due to safety concerns. Even more astonishing, he later landed a one-foot backflip during an exhibition gala. Known for his quadruple jumps, the backflip remains his signature forbidden move. After initial hesitation from the ISU, the rule was relaxed ahead of the Games, allowing Malinin to showcase his daring. He inserted the backflip seamlessly into a high-difficulty segment of his free skate, landing it cleanly. At the gala, dressed in Balmain denim, he reimagined the move with effortless style. The performance secured him gold and symbolised the evolution of figure skating and the audacity of a new generation. Dubbed “the most viral moment of the Games,” clips flooded YouTube and inspired young skaters worldwide.
2 “RikuRyu” Japan’s Figure Skating Duo in Tears After Winning Historic First Olympic Gold
Japan’s pair skating duo Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara staged one of the most emotional comebacks of the Olympics. After placing fifth in the short program due to a minor lift error, they returned with a near-perfect free skate, achieving personal best scores and capturing Japan’s first-ever Olympic gold in pairs skating. Two-time world champions, the duo described the pressure as a “mental battle.” Yet in the free skate, every throw, lift, and spin was executed flawlessly, earning soaring technical and artistic marks. As the final scores were announced, Miura burst into tears while Kihara embraced her, both kneeling on the ice in disbelief, an image that resonated globally. Their triumph marked a historic breakthrough for Japan and symbolised Asia’s growing presence in pairs skating. Their journey “from disappointment to rebirth” became one of the most inspiring narratives of the Games.
3 Alysa Liu Crowned Ice Princess, Wins USA’s First Women’s Figure Skating Gold in 24 Years
Twenty-year-old American star Alysa Liu emerged as another headline-maker. Beyond completing her career Grand Slam in figure skating, her bold halo hairstyle and smiley piercing reflected a new era of individuality. In the women’s singles event, Liu delivered a career-best total score of 226.79 to claim gold, ending a 24-year drought for American women in the discipline. Having retired twice before making a comeback, she returned stronger after winning the 2025 World Championships. Refusing to conform to traditional expectations, she performed her free skate to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park,” combining technical brilliance with visible joy. Her victory was not only athletic but cultural, embodying the confidence and self-expression of Gen-Z athletes.
4 Team USA Wins Men’s Ice Hockey Gold in Overtime Thriller
In men’s ice hockey, the United States stunned Canada 2–1 in overtime, ending a 46-year Olympic gold drought and evoking memories of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” Strengthened by the return of NHL stars, Team USA faced traditional powerhouse Canada in a highly anticipated rematch. In a dramatic 3-on-3 overtime period, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck delivered 41 crucial saves before Jack Hughes netted the game-winner off a Zach Werenski assist. After the final buzzer, players raised the jersey of their late teammate Johnny Gaudreau in tribute. Hailed as a “new-generation Miracle,” the final drew over 20 million viewers in the United States and disrupted Canada’s long-standing dominance.
5 Norway’s “King of Snow” Johannes Høsflot Klæbo Sweeps Six Golds
Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, 29, delivered one of the greatest Olympic performances in history, sweeping six gold medals: Skiathlon (10+10 km), 10 km freestyle, sprint classic, team sprint freestyle, 4×7.5 km relay, and 50 km mass start. In doing so, he surpassed Eric Heiden’s 1980 record of five golds in a single Winter Games. With 11 career Olympic gold medals, Klæbo cemented his legacy as one of the most dominant athletes in Winter Olympic history.
Image Courtesy of Getty Images
