The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina got underway last week, and viewers are already locked into their preferred competitions.

Data from Statista indicates that 48 percent of U.S. audiences planning to watch the games are most excited about figure skating, while 34 percent are anticipating the ice hockey tournament.

Additional popular events include snowboarding, alpine skiing, and freestyle skiing, where spectators can anticipate seeing a blend of seasoned competitors protecting their titles and fresh faces pursuing medals.

However, if you assume those are the winter disciplines where the U.S. excels most, you’d be mistaken. Examining the medal tally heading into Milano Cortina, speed skating leads the pack with 71 medals overall, including 30 golds.

In second position is the fan-favorite figure skating, trailing closely with 54 medals, while alpine skiing boasts a record of 48 medals, reports the Mirror US.

Since becoming an Olympic sport in 1998, snowboarding has already accumulated 35 medals, demonstrating how rapidly athletes have mastered these newer disciplines.

Freestyle skiing contributes another 33 medals, with bobsleigh, short track speed skating, and ice hockey rounding out the list.

Sam Morse of Team United States celebrates at the finish line during the Men’s Downhill on day one of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics (Image: Getty)

While American competitors perform strongly across most events, they have yet to secure any medals in biathlon.

Of all these sports, the U.S. leads three categories in medal count. No other country has earned more medals than the United States in figure skating, snowboarding, or skeleton.

Chloe Kim of Team USA participates in Snowboard Halfpipe Training on day three of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games (Image: Getty)

Historically, American athletes have delivered exceptional performances at the Games, notably at Vancouver 2010 where they got 37 medals, and Salt Lake City 2002 when the squad secured 10 golds – marking the nation’s most impressive gold medal achievement in Winter Olympic history.

Erin Jackson of Team United States competes during the Speed Skating Women’s 1000m on day three of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games (Image: undefined)

At the current Milano Cortina games, numerous athletes are already at the focus of spectator interest.

Leading contenders this year include Amber Glenn, – a three-time U.S. champion – Alysa Liu – the 2025 world champion who returned to competition after retiring in 2022 – and Olympic newcomer Ilia Malinin.

The USA has earned a gold medal at the figure skating’s 2026 Team Event (Image: Getty)

Snowboarding legends Chloe Kim and Red Gerard arrive at the games attempting to preserve their reputations on the slopes and halfpipes, alongside alpine skiing sensation Mikaela Shiffrin.

Source: https://www.the-express.com/news/us-news/198711/winter-olympic-sports-team-usa