After the Finish: Moments from Milano Cortina 2026

China Minutes

After the Finish: Moments from Milano Cortina 2026

From record-breaking victories to quiet resilience, this photo essay captures the defining moments of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

The 25th Winter Olympic Games concluded on Feb. 22nd after 16 days of competition across northern Italy.

Nearly 3,000 athletes from 93 delegations competed in 116 events, with Norway finishing at the top of the medal standings.

Yet medals tell only part of the story. Across Milan and Cortina, the Games also unfolded in seconds of release, disappointment and quiet resilience. These photographs focus on the moments that outlast the medal table.

Matt Weston Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — Matt Weston (Great Britain) celebrates at the finish after winning skeleton gold in Cortina. He broke the track record in all four heats, finishing with a combined time of 3:43.33.

Eileen Gu (China) embraces teammate Li Fanghui Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — Eileen Gu embraces teammate Li Fanghui (China) after the women’s freeski halfpipe final in Livigno. Gu scored 94.75 to take gold, while Li secured silver.

Xu Mengtao Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — Xu Mengtao (China) raises the national flag in celebration after winning women’s aerials. She earned gold with 112.90 points.

Ning Zhongyan new Olympic record Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — Ning Zhongyan (China) pumps his fists in triumph after winning the men’s 1500m in Milan. His time of 1:41.98 set a new Olympic record.

Germany’s luge relay team Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — Germany’s luge relay team celebrate after winning gold in Cortina. Their time of 3:41.672 secured a fourth consecutive Olympic title in the event.

Alysa Liu women’s singles free skate Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — Alysa Liu (United States) cups her face with both hands after winning the women’s singles free skate in Milan.

Su Yiming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — Su Yiming (China) embraces a competitor after winning men’s snowboard slopestyle in Livigno. His opening run score of 82.41 proved decisive.

Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong (Netherlands) smiles through tears after winning the women’s 1500m in Milan. She crossed the line in 1:54.09 to claim gold.

Sui Wenjing and Han Cong (China) Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — Sui Wenjing and Han Cong (China) bow to the audience after the pair’s free skate. The defending champions finished fifth overall.

Liu Shaoang (China) Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — Liu Shaoang (China) kneels on the ice after a fall in the men’s 500m semifinal in Milan. The crash ended his hopes of reaching the A final.

Li Tianma (China) Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — Li Tianma (China) wipes away tears after the mixed team aerials final in Livigno. China finished with bronze in the event.

Wu Shaotong (China) Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — Wu Shaotong (China) speaks with her parents over video call after the women’s halfpipe final. She placed seventh in the competition.

Maxim Naumov (United States) Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — Maxim Naumov (United States) holds up a photo of his parents after his performance in Milan. He lost both parents in a plane crash in 2025 and skated in their memory.

Lam Ching Yan Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — Lam Ching Yan (Hong Kong, China) shakes hands with a rival after the women’s 1500m semifinal. She went on to finish seventh in the final, delivering a historic result for her delegation.

Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — Athletes pose beneath the Olympic rings during the gala exhibition in Milan. For a moment, competition gives way to shared celebration.

Written by Ronnie Yu. All photos courtesy of CNS.

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