The Chinese delegation will wrap up its campaign at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics with a record-breaking overseas performance. The team has secured 13 medals so far, including four gold, three silver, and six bronze. This result surpasses China’s previous overseas Winter Olympics record of 11 medals set at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics and the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
China sent its largest-ever overseas Winter Olympic delegation to Italy. A total of 126 athletes competed in 91 events across 15 disciplines. This strong presence reflects the country’s expanding winter sports program and growing global competitiveness.
Freestyle skiing aerials stood out as a highlight. Veteran athlete Xu Mengtao defended her Olympic title from Beijing 2022 to win gold in the women’s event. Her husband, Wang Xindi, claimed gold in the men’s aerials. They became a rare married couple to win individual gold medals at the same Games. Meanwhile, Li Tianma earned bronze in his Olympic debut, and the trio also secured bronze in the mixed team event.
Snowboarder Su Yiming captured China’s first gold medal of the Games in men’s slopestyle. He also added a bronze in big air and will serve as the delegation’s flag bearer at the closing ceremony. Freestyle skier Gu Ailing won two silver medals in slopestyle and big air, demonstrating consistency at the highest level.
On the ice, Ning Zhongyan made history. He broke the Olympic record to win gold in the men’s 1500 meters, marking China’s first Olympic title. He also helped the team secure bronze in the men’s team pursuit. However, challenges remain. Short track speed skating claimed only one silver medal, ending a long streak of Olympic golds since the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics.
Overall, the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics highlighted both significant progress and areas requiring further improvement for the Chinese delegation. Veteran champions delivered consistent and impressive performances, demonstrating experience, skill, and the ability to perform under pressure.
At the same time, emerging athletes made their mark with breakthroughs in new disciplines, showcasing the depth and growing talent within the national team. Together, these achievements signal a new chapter in China’s winter sports development, reflecting not only the country’s rising competitiveness on the global stage but also the successful integration of youth development programs with elite training.
The combination of seasoned experience and youthful potential sets a strong foundation for future Winter Olympic cycles, emphasizing strategic investment in both traditional and emerging winter sports disciplines. This balance between consolidation and innovation points to a promising future for China as it continues to expand its presence and influence in international winter sports.
