Olympics 2026: 8 February winners, medal table update

Klebo reigns in cross-country

Legendary Norwegian Johannes Høsflot Klæbo kicked off the Games-2026 with a victory, winning the men’s 20 km skiathlon.

The gold was decided in a final sprint: five athletes battled for first place, but Klæbo surged in the last meters to pull away from his rivals. This marks the Norwegian’s eighth Olympic medal, six of which are gold.

Silver went surprisingly to Frenchman Mathis Deloche (+2 seconds), while bronze was claimed by another Norwegian, Martin Løvstrøm Nyenget.

Ukrainians could only be proud of finishing: Oleksandr Lisohor placed 53rd, Dmytro Drahun 59th.

Alpine skiing downhill: Johnson takes gold – Vonn drama

In women’s downhill, American Breezy Johnson celebrated a victory, winning gold by mere milliseconds. Her lead over Germany’s Emma Aicher was just 0.04 seconds. Bronze went to Italy’s Sofia Goggia.

The race was also marked by a dramatic moment: legendary Lindsey Vonn fell on the course, could not get up, and was evacuated by helicopter.

Ukraine’s only competitor, Anastasiia Shepilenko, finished 32nd.

Snowboarding: champions in parallel giant slalom

Two medal events were held in parallel giant slalom snowboarding.

In men’s, Austrian Benjamin Karl defended his Olympic title. Silver went to South Korea’s Kim Sang-kyum, bronze to Bulgaria’s Tervel Zafirov.

Among women, Czech Zuzana Maďerová claimed gold. The podium was completed by Sabine Payer (Austria) and Lucia Dalmasso (Italy).

Ukraine’s Annamari Dancha was eliminated in qualification, finishing 29th.

France wins first biathlon event (photo: x.com/milanocortina26)

France triumphs in biathlon

The first biathlon event at the Games brought success for France, which won the mixed relay. The "Tricolore" team consisted of Éric Perrot, Quentin Fillon Maillet, Lou Jeanmonnot, and Julia Simon.

Silver went to the hosts – Italy. The team of Tommaso Giacomel, Lukas Hofer, Dorothea Wierer, and Lisa Vittozzi finished 25.8 seconds behind France. Bronze was claimed by Germany, represented by Justus Strelow, Philipp Nawrath, Vanessa Voigt, and Franziska Preuß.

Ukraine’s team started the biathlon competition in eighth place.

Speed skating: Norwegian sets new record

In the men’s 5000 meters, Norwegian Sander Eitrem secured a convincing victory. His time of 6:03.95 set a new Olympic record, nearly five seconds faster than the previous mark set by Swedish skater Nils van der Poel. Eitrem also holds the world record in this discipline.

Norwegian Sander Eitrem sets a new record

Silver surprise for Czech Jílek, bronze to Italy’s Lorello

Czech Methoděj Jílek won a sensational silver in men’s speed skating, while Italian Riccardo Lorello took bronze. Interestingly, both came to ice skating from roller sports.

Luge: Ukraine achieves best results

Germany’s Max Langenhan won gold in the men’s singles luge, taking victory in all four runs. Silver went to Austria’s Jonas Müller, and bronze to Italy’s Dominik Fischnaller.

Two Ukrainian athletes reached the final: Andrii Mandziy set a new best-ever Olympic result for Ukraine in men’s singles luge with 12th place. Anton Dukach finished 16th, marking Ukraine’s second-best result in the discipline.

Figure skating: USA claims second consecutive team victory

The final event of the day, the team figure skating tournament, ended around midnight. The gold battle came down to the USA and Japan.

Before the last performance in men’s singles, the teams were tied at 59 points each. In the end, the Americans secured victory thanks to Ilia Malinin, who outscored Japan’s Shunya Sato. The USA won this team event at the Olympics for the second Games in a row. Italy claimed bronze.

Olympics 2026 – 8 February medalists

Cross-country skiing, skiathlon, men

1. Johannes Klæbo (Norway)
2. Mathis Deloche (France)
3. Martin Løvstrøm Nyenget (Norway)

Alpine skiing, downhill, women

1. Breezy Johnson (USA)
2. Emma Aicher (Germany)
3. Sofia Goggia (Italy)

Snowboarding, parallel giant slalom

Men:

1. Benjamin Karl (Austria)
2. Kim Sang-kyum (South Korea)
3. Tervel Zafirov (Bulgaria)

Women:

1. Zuzana Maďerová (Czech Republic)
2. Sabine Payer (Austria)
3. Lucia Dalmasso (Italy)

Biathlon, mixed relay

1. France
2. Italy
3. Germany

Speed skating, men, 5000 m

1. Sander Eitrem (Norway)
2. Methoděj Jílek (Czech Republic)
3. Riccardo Lorello (Italy)

Luge, men’s singles

1. Max Langenhan (Germany)
2. Jonas Müller (Austria)
3. Dominik Fischnaller (Italy)

Figure skating, team event

1. USA
2. Japan
3. Italy

Medal standings, top 5

1. Norway – 3 gold + 1 silver + 2 bronze = 6 medals
2. USA – 2 + 0 + 0 = 2
3. Italy – 1 + 2 + 6 = 9
4. Japan – 1 + 2 + 1 = 4
5. Austria – 1 + 2 + 0 = 3

Earlier, we reported that the IOC has signaled the possible return of Russian athletes.

Also read: which sports are included in the 2026 Winter Olympics program.