The ongoing 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics continue to captivate audiences with a series of remarkable performances, unforeseen weather disruptions, and intense competitions across various winter sports. As athletes push their limits amidst challenging conditions, the Olympics remain a showcase of resilience, skill, and determination. From historic medal wins to unexpected cancellations, Monday proved to be a day of both triumphs and setbacks, shaping the narrative of these Games in real time. Here’s a detailed overview of the most compelling stories and developments from this active day in Milan and Cortina.
Elana Meyers Taylor Secures Historic Gold in Women’s Monobob
One of Monday’s most notable highlights was Elana Meyers Taylor’s groundbreaking victory in women’s monobob, marking her first Olympic gold medal in her illustrious career. Meyers Taylor, a seasoned 41-year-old athlete and mother of two, delivered a masterful performance across four runs at the bobsled track, finishing with a total time of 3:57.93. Her impressive effort kept her slightly ahead of the competition, securing her a medal that fans and experts alike had been anticipating.
Meyers Taylor’s background is filled with Olympic successes. Her silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Games had already established her as one of the sport’s top competitors. Monday’s win added a new chapter to her legacy, emphasizing her longevity and skill in the sport of bobsled. The victory wasn’t just a personal milestone but also a statement for Team USA, which showcased remarkable depth in the event. Alongside Meyers Taylor, fellow American Kaillie Humphries claimed bronze with a total time of 3:58.05, reaffirming the United States’ dominance in bobsledding.
American athlete Kaysha Love also made a strong showing, finishing seventh, which underscores the team’s broad talent pool. The US finished the event with three athletes among the top eight, reinforcing their position as a top contender on the sliding track.
Eileen Gu’s Silver in Freeski Big Air
Weather disruptions did little to dampen the competitive spirit of the freestyle skiing events. Among the highlights, Eileen Gu added another medal to her collection, earning silver in the women’s freeski big air competition. Despite delays caused by a snowstorm in Livigno Snow Park, Gu’s performance was still remarkable.
Gu opened strongly with a score of 90.00 in her first run, but her second attempt was hampered by the weather, resulting in a score of only 61.25. This second run positioned her eighth among the ten participating athletes, significantly lowering her chances for back-to-back gold medals. Meanwhile, Megan Oldham of Canada emerged as the new champion, finishing her final run with a total score of 180.75 after earning a 90.75 in her second run. Oldham’s consistency and skill delivered her a well-earned gold medal, relegating Gu to silver.
Her success is further distinguished by her previous Olympic medal. Gu took home silver in the women’s freeski slopestyle last week, making this her fourth career Olympic medal. Despite the weather’s setbacks, Gu’s resilience and consistency continue to make her a favorite in the sport.
Weather Challenges Mount: Delays and Cancellations
Unseasonably severe weather has significantly affected the schedule at Milan and Cortina, with heavy snowfall and poor visibility disrupting multiple events. Monday’s competitions, especially at Livigno Snow Park, faced substantial delays. The women’s freeski big air final was postponed twice, with organizers announcing the event would not start before 3 p.m. ET, as conditions remained treacherous. Snow was blowing sideways, and visibility was almost nonexistent according to reports from onsite observers like Dan Wolken of Yahoo Sports.
In addition to weather delays, some events experienced outright cancellations. The men’s team ski jumping final was called off during its last round, with medals awarded based on the standings at the end of the second round. Team Austria’s team of Stephan Embacher and Jan Hoerl secured the gold medal with a total score of 568.7 points, leaving Norway and Poland to take silver and bronze, respectively. These cancellations reflect the unpredictable influence of winter weather on organizing Olympic competitions—an ongoing challenge for event planners and athletes alike.
Hockey and Team USA’s Path Forward
The U.S. women’s hockey team continues to impress with their defensive strength, maintaining their perfect streak with yet another shutout victory—this time against Sweden. Moving confidently into the semifinals, they are now set to face either Canada or Switzerland on Thursday in a match that could decide their medal fate.
Meanwhile, the U.S. men’s hockey team, which had been only slightly tested in the group stages, also advanced to the knockout phase. After securing a 5-1 victory over Germany, the Americans head into the elimination rounds with questions about their consistency and strategies, yet remaining a prominent contender for gold. Their early performances have kept fans optimistic, but the tough competition ahead will be pivotal in their quest for a medal.
For real-time medal updates and team standings, fans are encouraged to consult the official medal tracker, which provides comprehensive figures across all sports and categories.
Curling and Snow Sports: A Day of Ups and Downs
In curling, Sweden’s women’s team continues to dominate, remaining undefeated with a 6-0 record after a narrow 6-4 victory over Switzerland. The game was so close that it was decided on the final stone, showcasing the precision and calmness of the Swedish players. Their success has made them the team to beat in the round-robin phase, with the United States following behind at 4-1, setting up potential tie-break scenarios in the coming days.
American curlers experienced mixed results. The U.S. women’s team faced a setback after losing their match against Italy, falling behind 7-2. They still have two remaining matches in the round robin, against Denmark and Great Britain, which will be critical for their qualification chances. The team is under pressure to perform better, especially because the top four teams will advance to the semifinals.
Similarly, in alpine skiing, several athletes faced harsh conditions. At the men’s slalom, Atle Lie McGrath was in strong contention but ended his run prematurely after a problematic gate, expressing his frustration physically. The highly challenging weather—characterized by heavy snowfall—claimed many DNF results, with nearly half the field unable to complete their runs in the first heat. U.S. skier River Radamus was among those who fell early on and did not advance.
On the men’s two-man bobsled side, the U.S. team showed resilience, improving from their first run but ultimately falling behind the Germans, who proved too formidable. Heats 3 and 4 scheduled for Tuesday will be decisive in determining the medalists.
Less successful was American speed skater Kristen Santos-Griswold, who, after winning the 1000m at the 2024 World Championships, was eliminated in the quarterfinals, ending her hopes for medals in Milan. Her early exit reflects the unpredictable nature of even top-ranked athletes at this level.
Looking Ahead
The ongoing weather challenges cast uncertainty over upcoming events, with organizers remaining vigilant in maintaining safe conditions for athletes and viewers alike. Meanwhile, the competition continues fiercely across disciplines like skiing, snowboarding, hockey, and curling, with athletes pushing through adversity to achieve Olympic greatness. Fans worldwide are eagerly following the live updates and medal counts, anticipating further breakthroughs and surprises as the Games progress in Milan and Cortina.