Team USA closed out the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina with a historic achievement, capturing a record 12 gold medals, the most ever for the United States at a Winter Games.
The milestone was officially secured after America’s victory in the mixed team aerials freestyle skiing event on Saturday, surpassing the previous record of 10 gold medals set at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. The record was punctuated Sunday when the U.S. men’s hockey team defeated Canada in overtime to claim the twelfth and final gold.
Overall, the United States finished second in the medal standings with 33 total medals: 12 gold, 12 silver, and 9 bronze. Norway topped the leaderboard with 44 medals, including 18 gold, while host nation Italy finished with 30 total medals and 10 gold.
Among the most high profile victories were the gold medal performances by both the men’s and women’s hockey teams, each defeating Canada in dramatic overtime games. The dual victories added a defining chapter to one of the Olympics’ fiercest rivalries.
In figure skating, Team USA earned two gold medals. The Americans captured the team event, and Alysa Liu delivered a standout performance to win individual gold, becoming the first American woman in two decades to claim the top spot in Olympic figure skating after returning to competition following a two year hiatus.
Other gold medal performances came across multiple disciplines. Breezy Johnson won in women’s downhill skiing, while Mikaela Shiffrin added another Olympic title in women’s slalom. In freestyle skiing, Elizabeth Lemley claimed gold in women’s moguls and Alex Ferreira triumphed in the men’s freeski halfpipe. Speed skater Jordan Stolz secured two gold medals and a silver.
Elana Meyers Taylor captured her first Olympic gold in women’s monobob at her fifth Games, becoming the oldest athlete ever to win an individual Winter Olympic event at age 41. Teammate Kallie Humphries earned bronze in the same event.
There were also notable near misses. Figure skater Ilia Malinin finished eighth despite entering as a favorite, and Chloe Kim earned silver in women’s halfpipe after being edged out in her bid for a third consecutive gold. Still, the overall performance marked a landmark Games for Team USA, cementing its place in Winter Olympic history.
The post Team USA Sets Record With 12 Gold Medals At Winter Olympics appeared first on Real News Now.
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