The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, left behind a handful of unforgettable moments for our sports writers. Our staff relished the historic wins, like the USA’s men’s hockey victory, alongside the quieter moments — like watching Alysa Liu gracefully commanding the ice. The Dartmouth’s sports staff compiled their favorite moments of the Games here.
Kyle Greason: Free Bird: Men’s hockey goes gold for the USA
Simply put, the U.S. men’s hockey run in this year’s winter Olympics was electric. Before Sunday morning, the squad was on a decades-long gold medal drought, with their last coming in the iconic “Miracle on Ice” win over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y. However, the wait is over as the United States defeated Canada 2-1 in an overtime victory to earn first place. Center Jack Hughes netted the golden goal after an incredible game from the team, including a 41-save performance from goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
The story was eerily similar at this time last year, but with a flipped script. Canada took down the United States in overtime 3-2 in the Four Nations Face-Off Championship, a game that certainly left a bad taste in the mouths of America’s best hockey players. These past few weeks leading up to Sunday’s victory, they put it all behind them.
Seeing the enthusiasm and energy not only from the American team, tossing their gloves and mobbing Hughes after the goal, but also the dedicated fans across the country, starting their Sunday mornings bright and early to witness history, has been incredible. There’s something about hockey in the Olympics that gets people especially fired up, and it’s an amazing thing to witness.
Oriana Zhou: The day jobs of Olympians
Most Olympians don’t make livable wages from their sport, but their triumphs on the podium have increased scrutiny about their careers and lifestyle, specifically their finances, according to Mark Dent from The Hustle.
Olympians do not get compensated by the International Olympic Committee for their accomplishments. Compensation varies by country, where the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee awards $37,500, $22,500 and $14,500 to gold, silver and bronze medalists respectively, according to USA Today. In other countries, winning an Olympic medal can pay nearly $1 million. This means many U.S. Olympians without sponsors are responsible for funding their own training and earning a living to pay off expenses.
For example, Alpine skier and silver medalist Ryan Cochran-Siegle is an engineering student at the University of Vermont and works for his family’s maple syrup farm and shop, Cochran’s Slopeside Syrup, according to CBS News. Additionally, there are doctors, such as Regina Martínez Lorenzo, and lawyers, such as Rich Ruohonen, competing in various events from skiing to curling, according to Yahoo Sports.
Italy takes a different approach, where most of their athletes are part of the military or police forces, according to The New York Times. These agencies provide access to top-tier training and stability and a retirement job. Many retired athletes become coaches or career servicemen.
Madison Savoy: The comeback that lasted for 13 seconds
Thirteen seconds into her return to the Olympics, U.S. downhill skier Lindsay Vonn may have put a permanent end to her career.
The 41-year-old skier retired back in 2019 following a bronze medal win at the World Championships in Åre, Sweden. In 2024 she underwent a knee surgery that allowed her to return to the U.S. ski team. She qualified for the Olympics in late December 2025, securing her spot and announcing her return from retirement for the occasion. Vonn competed on the World Cup circuit for 19 years and her retirement was initiated by a knee injury, so her comeback was an important way to bring closure to her career.
Vonn ruptured her ACL in late January 2026, just nine days before the opening ceremony in Milan, Italy. Yet after multiple surgeries, she still had her sights set on competing.
On the second day of the Olympics, Feb. 8, Vonn took to the start gate for one final run. She came out of the start gate strong, hunting for Olympic glory.
She crashed just 13 seconds into her Olympic [re]debut downhill run, the clock still running, with both skis still on her feet. She was immediately airlifted from the course — ending her comeback before it really began.
Vonn’s decision to compete at the Olympics despite her injury was rather controversial. Maybe she shouldn’t have skied. However, footage shows that her arm got caught on a gate, which caused her to lose her balance and re-injure her already weakened leg. It’s tough to say what would’ve happened if she didn’t sustain another blow to her left knee. Maybe the world will see her return back to the slopes or maybe she’ll stay in retirement this time around, making room for the next big name in women’s downhill skiing.
Frances Kantrow: Alysa Liu shines in her Olympic return
Less than four years after retiring from figure skating, Alysa Liu won the United States’ first women’s figure skating gold medal since 2002. She skated to “Promise” by Laufey in the short program with a spectacular triple lutz and triple loop combination, putting herself in third. Sporting a sparkly gold outfit, Liu delivered a joyous free skate to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park,” in which she landed seven triple jumps earning a score of 150.20. The routine put her in first place, a lead she would not relinquish as the final skaters performed. Liu became the eighth American woman to win a gold medal in figure skating.
After retiring from the sport in 2022 at age 16 due to the immense pressure and returning to skating in 2025, Liu’s victory is a powerful reminder of the possibility and importance of finding joy in sports. Her energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and it was a joy to watch her make history. Liu will compete again in the World Championships next month, and I am excited to see her brilliance again soon.
