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2026 Olympics Highlights: The Moments, the Stars, and the Unexpected

February 27, 2026

The Olympics always bring the thrill of competition, the heartbreak of near-misses, and, of course, moments that make the internet explode. The 2026 Games in Milan-Cortina were no exception- showcasing everything from the highest highs, like U.S. women racking up gold medals, to the lowest lows, like Lindsey Vonn’s historic crash. From jaw-dropping flips to fashion statements, viral social posts to heartwarming underdog victories, the Games reminded us why we love following athletes on and off the snow and ice.

At FINN Partners, we’ve had the privilege of working on the Olympics for decades, including helping launch several sports into the Olympic spotlight such as BMX, 3×3 basketball, surfing, skateboarding and freeskiing. We’ve watched these disciplines grow from niche communities into global Olympic moments – and 2026 offered even more proof that the Games are just as much about lifestyle, culture, and storytelling as they are about medals.

U.S. Women Running the World

If there’s one thing clear from these Games, it’s that the United States’ women continue to dominate the Olympics. Team USA’s women have out-medaled the men at three consecutive Winter Olympics and four consecutive Summer Olympics – and 2026 was no different. Across Italy, the U.S. women brought home six golds and 17 total medals, while the men won four golds and 12 total medals.

The athletes themselves read like a highlight reel:

  • Mikaela Shiffrin taking gold with precision and poise.
  • Alysa Liu flipping the script with a gold that came with personality, authenticity, and viral moments.
  • Chloe Kim earning silver, proving her consistency on the world stage.
  • Breezy Johnson showing grit and determination to grab gold.
  • Team USA Women’s Hockey skating all the way to gold, blending skill with camaraderie.

Fans cheered their performances – and the way they celebrated each other – proving that sportsmanship and friendship are just as powerful as any medal.

Historic Firsts and Under(dog) Moments

The 2026 Games weren’t just about gold – they were full of historic milestones. Ben Lynch, a 23-year-old freestyle skier from Dublin, made history by finishing 8th in the men’s halfpipe final, becoming the first Irish skier to qualify for a Winter Olympics final and achieving one of Ireland’s best-ever results in the Winter Games.

Even the more unexpected competitors grabbed headlines: a local dog named Nazgul made a bid for Olympic glory by breaking onto the homestretch of the cross-country ski course mid-race. The two-year-old was quickly returned safely to his home at a nearby bed-and-breakfast, but not before delighting fans worldwide and sparking a flurry of social media buzz – proof that the Olympics can surprise in every way imaginable.

Ilia’s Moment: Authenticity Over Podium

Meanwhile, on the men’s side, Ilia Malinin proved that Olympic glory isn’t only measured in medals. Entering the Games as a favorite for gold, he didn’t make the podium – but emerged as a star anyway. His post-competition interviews – humble, candid, and relatable – turned him into a fan favorite. It was a “Simone Biles” moment in figure skating: you don’t need gold to win hearts. Ilia reminded everyone that authenticity resonates, sometimes even more than victory itself.

Celebrity Reactions Take Center Stage

The 2024 Paris Olympics gave us Snoop, but the 2026 Milan‑Cortina Games were all about celebrity reactions. Athlete-celebrity crossovers – like Jason and Kylie Kelce trying their hand at curling – set the tone, while stars from Taylor Swift to Flavor Flav brought energy, inspiration, and viral moments that extended the Games beyond the field of play.

  • Taylor Swift congratulated Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin and delivered a pre-taped inspirational message on NBC Olympics during the Opening Ceremony.
  • Flavor Flav cheered on the women’s athletes and invited them to Las Vegas to celebrate their wins, a moment that went viral with brands like Alaska Airlines, The Gist, and StubHub joining the fun.
  • NFL stars Jason and Travis Kelce helped fund travel for Laila Edwards’s family so they could watch her compete in person, creating a historic Olympic family memory.
  • Megan Thee Stallion celebrated the USA women’s hockey team with champagne after their gold-medal win.
  • Other celebrities and A-list athletes – including Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart, Tom Brady, Simone Biles, Shaun White, Seth Meyers, Stanley Tucci, and Halle Bailey – proved the Olympics remain a magnet for culture far beyond sport.

Athletes, Influencers, and Social Moments

This year’s Games also felt different because athletes weren’t just performing – they were posting. Social media has become a central part of the Olympic story. From Hahna Norman selling her Olympic gear on Depop to behind-the-scenes content giving fans a backstage pass, fans weren’t just watching – they were shopping, sharing, and joining the fun. Onsite influencers like Devon Carlson and Connor Wood also amplified the energy, bringing fans closer to the action and creating a lifestyle-driven, interactive experience that traditional coverage simply can’t match.

Cheating & Controversy

Of course, drama is part of the package. At these Games, cheating came in all shapes and sizes: Canadian curler Marc Kennedy got caught bending the rules on the ice, while Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid made headlines off it by confessing to cheating on his girlfriend after winning silver.

Judging Drama

As always, judging sparked debate across multiple events. From snowboarding to freeskiing and ice dance, fans and commentators weren’t shy about weighing in on scoring calls. Whether it was controversial deductions or tight margins deciding podium spots, judging drama proved that the Olympics are never short on heated opinions – sometimes as intense as the competition itself.

Beyond the Medal Count

At the heart of it all, the 2026 Olympics showed that authenticity, connection, and storytelling matter as much as medals. From U.S. women dominating podiums to athletes like Ilia winning hearts without gold, and underdogs like Ben Lynch making history, the Games reminded us that fans want to know the people behind the medals. They want the stories, the laughs, the awkward moments, the social posts – and maybe even the occasional dog on the course.

If anything, 2026 proved that the Olympics aren’t just about winning – they’re about connecting, sharing, and inspiring a new generation, on snow, ice, and social screens alike.