Winter Olympics
The first Winter Olympic Games were held in 1924 in Chamonix, France and featured 16 events with more than 250 athletes from 16 different nations. Since then, the games have occurred every four years during the winter season, barring an interruption in both 1940 and 1944 due to WWII. Originally, both the Winter Olympics and the Summer Olympics took place during the same year. This changed in 1992 when the International Olympic Committee elected to keep the Summer and Winter Games on separate four-year cycles.
Which countries have hosted the Winter Olympic Games?
Since their inception, the Winter Games have been hosted by thirteen different countries. The games have been four times by the U.S.; three times in France; twice in Austria, Canada, Japan, Italy, Norway, and Switzerland; and once in Germany, Yugoslavia, Russia, South Korea, and China. For the 2022 Winter Games, Beijing became the first city to have hosted both the Summer and Winter games.
What sports are in the Winter Olympic Games?
There are currently 15 sports included in the Winter Olympic Games:
- Alpine Skiing
- Cross-country Skiing
- Freestyle Skiing
- Ski Jumping
- Nordic Combined (Cross-country Skiing and Ski Jumping)
- Biathlon (Cross-Country Skiing and Rifle Marksmanship)
- Figure Skating
- Speed Skating
- Short Track Speed Skating
- Snowboarding
- Bobsleigh
- Luge
- Skeleton
- Curling
- Ice Hockey
Which countries have won the most medals in the Winter Olympic Games?
Following the 2018 Winter Olympics (hosted in Pyeongchang, South Korea), the 10 countries with the most Winter Games medals were:
- Norway — 368 medals
- United States — 305 medals
- Germany — 240 medals
- Austria — 232 medals
- Canada — 199 medals
- Soviet Union (Defunct) — 194 medals
- Finland — 167 medals
- Sweden — 158 medals
- Switzerland — 153 medals
- Netherlands — 130 medals
Which athletes have the most Winter Olympic Games medals?
Following the 2018 Winter Olympics (hosted in Pyeongchang, South Korea), the 10 athletes with the most Winter Games medals were:
- Marit Bjørgen (Norway), Cross-country Skiing — 15 medals
- Ole Einar Bjøndalen (Norway), Biathlon — 13 medals
- Bjørn Dæhlie (Norway), Cross-country Skiing — 12 medals
- Ireen Wüst (Netherlands), Speed Skating — 11 medals
- Raisa Smetananina (Soviet Union, Unified Team), Cross-country Skiing — 10 medals
- Stefania Belmodo (Italy), Cross-country Skiing — 10 medals
- Lyubov Yegorova (Unified Team, Russia), Cross-country Skiing — 9 medals
- Sixten Jernberg (Sweden), Cross-country Skiing — 9 medals
- Sven Kramer (Netherlands), Speed Skating — 9 medals
When and where will the next Winter Olympic Games be held?
The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place in Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. The host city for the 2030 Winter Olympic Games has not yet been announced — that will most likely occur at the 140th IOC Session, which will be held in Mumbai, India in 2023.
Latest Winter Olympics News and Updates
U.S. Women's Hockey Team Declines Trump's State of the Union Invite — We're Not Surprised
Social media users believe Trump's sentiments may have been the reason.
Five U.S. Men's Hockey Players Announced They'd Be Skipping the Team's Controversial White House Visit
Five players soon emerged as opt-outs, but their reasons may not be altruistic.
Flavor Flav’s Women’s Sports Support Goes From Hype to Real Sponsorship
Flavor Flav says women’s sports teams deserve more support. Then he shows up with receipts.
U.S. Men's Hockey Team Stumbles out of Frying Pan into Fire Over Association With Trump
Star player Jack Hughes made things worse with a milquetoast defense of their actions.
Jack Hughes's Patriotic Message Has Some People Wondering About His Politics
Jack scored the game-winning goal for the U.S. hockey team.
Here's Why Hockey Players Drop Broken Sticks Instead of Skating Them to the Bench
It looks dangerous, but it also makes total sense once you know why the rule exists.
What Is the Stuffed Animal at the Olympics, and Why Do Medalists Get One?
The 2026 plushie is a stoat named Tina.
How Jack Hughes Ended up With a Bloody, Busted Grill at the Winter Olympics
"Gets his teeth broken, scores the gold medal winner. Chef's kiss."
Women's Hockey Players Have an Additional Layer of Protection — Why?
The real reason for cages on women's helmet is surprising, with disturbing implications.
What Is the Difference Between Slalom and Giant Slalom in Competitive Skiing?
Both are technical alpine events, but tighter turns and faster speeds set them apart.
Gold Medalist Hilary Knight's Fiancée Is Another Big Star in the Winter Olympics
Hilary Knight and her fiancée met at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
Olympic Coaches Basically Carry the Team, but Do They Get Medals?
"Has it always been this way?"
Mariah Carey Sang "Volare" at the Winter Olympics — Here's What the Word Means in Italian
The song is an Italian classic.
Here's Why Tara Lipinski Retired From Figure Skating at the Age of 20
Tara Lipinski won gold in the 1998 Winter Olympics.
What Happened to Dorothy Hamill’s Daughter? Inside Alexandra Hamill Chernak’s Life and Death
Olympic skater Dorothy Hamill spoke about family struggles with depression years before tragedy struck.
Why Did Amber Glenn Get a Zero? The Jump That Shook Her Olympic Short Program
The judges deemed Amber Glenn's required jump invalid, flashing 0.00 and shifting the medal conversation.
Skeleton Sledders Use Only Their Bodies to Steer While Traveling 80+ Miles per Hour on Ice
The fastest speed ever recorded in the Olympics was over 90 miles per hour.
What Happened to "Quad God"? Ilia Malinin Placed No. 8 After Olympic Free Skate
The Quad God had an ending none of us saw coming.
Ilia Malinin Admits to "Fighting Invisible Battles" Amid Concerns for His Mental Health
"The virtual world can be noisy, isolating, and cruel."
What Does "Super G" Mean and How Is It Different From Other Ski Events?
The event was introduced in the 1980s.
Those Olympic Speed Skater Glasses Are Not Part of the Uniform for Their Style
"I can't take speed skaters seriously because of their glasses."
Gus Kenworthy's Boyfriend Is the Olympic Skier's No. 1 Fan
Gus often refers to his boyfriend as his "sweetie boy."
Jordan Stolz’s Parents: Meet the Wisconsin Couple Behind the Olympic Gold Medalist
Jordan Stolz’s rise to Winter Olympics gold champion started with a family that believed in his speed.
Is Jake Vedder Related to Eddie Vedder? Olympic Snowboarder’s Last Name Raises Eyebrows
The Team USA snowboarder advanced to Olympic quarterfinals as music fans questioned his famous last name.
Ukraine Skeleton Racer Helmet Sparks Olympic Controversy and Disqualification
A helmet design meant to send a message instead led to a ruling that stunned fans.
Why Do Speed Skaters Swing One Arm? The Real Reason Behind the Technique
The one-arm technique in speed skating plays a major role in maintaining stability and race-day performance.
Ilia Malinin Is the Undisputed "Quad God" — And Here's Why He Owns the Title
Where did the nickname "Quad God" come from? Here's why Ilia Malinin deserves it.
Dual Citizen Gus Kenworthy Says It's "More Patriotic" to Ski for Britain's Olympic Team
Gus said that it's possible to be both patriotic and critical of the current administration.
Olympian Sturla Holm Lægreid Confesses to Cheating on Girlfriend in Post-Race Interview
"I’m sure many people now see me in a different light, but I only have eyes for her."
What Happened to Naumov's Parents? Inside the Tragedy and His Response
“They were beautiful people,” he said, reflecting on the loss that changed everything.
The Real Difference Between Short Program and Free Skate Explained
One program is strict and technical. The other gives skaters room to breathe, perform, and go big.
World Champion Speedskater Brittany Bowe Is Dating Another Winter Olympian
"It wasn't romantic at all. But it was cute."
Olympic Gold Medalist Chloe Kim Says She Is "Inspired" by Her Boyfriend
Chloe Kim is dating a fellow athlete.
Olympic Skier Hunter Hess Made Bold Statements About Representing the U.S.
"There's obviously a lot going on that I'm not the biggest fan of."
Figure Skater Alysa Liu Stepped Away at 16 and Is Making a Comeback — Why Did She Retire?
"This time just feels so completely different. I know who I am as a person now."
Savannah Guthrie’s Olympics Replacement Is a Longtime Sports Correspondent
The journalist tapped to replace the 'Today' co-host is "the most experienced Olympic commentators ever and a master storyteller."
Alysa Liu's Parents and the Unconventional Family Story That Helped Shape Her Olympic Path
Alysa Liu’s rise in figure skating came with a family story few athletes share, and it all started with one determined dad.
Who Are the Olympics Opening Ceremony 2026 Performers and How to Watch It?
From global superstars to Italian legends, the Winter Games are opening with serious star power.
Wondering How Brooms Affect the Stone’s Path in Olympic Curling? We've Got You!
The XXV Winter Olympic Games begins on Feb. 6, 2026.
Inside Eileen Gu's Rumored Dating History and Business Ventures Outside of the Olympics
Eileen Gu started her Olympics career at just 18 years old.
Eileen Gu's Net Worth: How the Olympic Star Built Her Fortune on and off the Slopes
Olympic medals were just the beginning. Eileen Gu’s real earning power comes from what she built beyond competition.
How Much Do Olympic Tickets Cost? What Fans Can Actually Expect to Pay
Olympic tickets are not one-price-fits-all. Costs vary widely depending on sport, seat, and host city.
Oksana Baiul's Ex-Husband Now Has Custody of Their Child — What We Know About Carlo Farina
Carlo used to work for Oksana, before they got married.
Where Is Peggy Fleming Now? Is the Olympic Figure Skating Icon Still Alive?
Peggy lives her life mostly out of the spotlight, so her fans often wonder where she is and what she is doing now.
Scott Hamilton’s Net Worth: Is the Figure Skating Legend Worth More Than You Think?
Despite conflicting reports on his overall wealth, Scott is reportedly one of the richest figure skaters.
Unpacking the 1994 Attack That Shocked the World: Where Is Nancy Kerrigan Now?
Despite being retired, figure skating remains an important part of Nancy's life.
Olympic Athletes Can Get Paid for Their Remarkable Athleticism, but It's Usually Not Much
In April 2024, World Athletics made history by becoming the first international federation to offer prize money at the Olympic Games.
People Throw Stuffed Animals at Figure Skaters After They Finish Their Events
People throw stuffed animals at figure skaters, but some want to know why this tradition began, and how it's evolved over the years.
Some Think Kamila Valieva Was Forced to Fall on Purpose During Her Free Skate
Kamila Valieva fell during her free skate routine, leading some to wonder if she had been told to fall on purpose by Russian authorities.
Despite a Failed Drug Test, Kamila Valieva Was Cleared to Compete at the Olympics
Following a failed drug test, the Olympics committee allowed figure skater Kamila Valieva to compete — why? How is this fair? Details inside.