Norway swept the Nordic combined events at the Milan Cortina Winter Games in what could be the final time the sport is featured in the Olympics.

While Norway rules the 2026 medal table, its hockey teams are at home — a stark difference from its Nordic neighbors Sweden and Finland.

Norway's dominance in cross-country skiing and other winter sports at the Milan Cortina Olympics comes down to depth, development and a winning culture built over decades.

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, right, and Einar Hedegart, of Norway, pose after winning the gold medal in cross-country skiing men’s team sprint free at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Tesero, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. AP

The race for the top of the 2026 Winter Olympics medal standings is winding down, as we enter the final weekend of the Milan Cortina Games. With the Olympics winding down, Team USA has closed the gap with Norway,

Last updated: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. ET Top takeaway: Norway has stretched its lead to 14 gold medals and 31 total medals, while host Italy is up to 9 gold (24 total) and Team USA has climbed to 6 gold (21 total) as another wave of finals hits the standings

Norway cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo set a Winter Olympics record on Sunday by winning his ninth career gold medal — most in Winter Olympic history. The gold was his fourth of the 2026 Winter Olympics, joining his victories in the 10 km freestyle, 20 km skiathlon and the men's individual sprint.