If you’re refreshing your feed every five minutes to see how many medals does USA have so far, I’ve got some news that might catch you off guard. It is currently January 17, 2026. If you look at the official Olympic medal table for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, the number next to Team USA is a big, fat zero.
Wait. Don’t panic.
There’s a very simple reason for that: the Opening Ceremony in Milan hasn't even happened yet. It’s scheduled for February 6, 2026. We are in that weird, high-tension "limbo" phase where athletes are basically living out of suitcases, grinding through the final World Cup qualifiers, and trying not to catch a cold before the flight to Italy.
Honestly, the "so far" part of the question is all about the qualifiers and the momentum built in this final month of preparation. While there are no gold medals hanging around necks in the Olympic Village just yet, the "virtual" medal count—based on how Americans are performing in World Cup events right now—is actually looking pretty massive.
The "Invisible" Medal Count: What’s Happening Right Now
Just because the Games haven't started doesn't mean Team USA isn't winning. In fact, just this past week, American athletes went on a bit of a tear across Europe and North America.
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According to recent trackers from The Sports Examiner, Team USA grabbed 23 medals in winter sport events over a single weekend in mid-January. If we were counting those as Olympic medals, we’d be leading the world. Lindsey Vonn, who is making one of the most talked-about comebacks in sports history at age 41, just secured her 84th World Cup gold and her fifth consecutive podium finish this season. It’s wild. Most people thought she was done years ago, but she’s looking like a genuine podium threat for Cortina.
Then you’ve got the young guns. Jordan Stolz is basically a human cheat code on speed skates right now. He’s been vacuuming up medals at the ISU World Cups, and experts are projecting he could walk away from Italy with multiple golds. If you’re tracking how many medals does USA have so far in terms of "predicted" hardware, Stolz is a huge chunk of that math.
Breaking Down the Projected Standings
Analysts and betting hubs like USA TODAY Sports are already running the numbers. Because the U.S. is sending one of the largest delegations—around 240 athletes—to Milano Cortina, they are mathematically favored to finish in the top three of the overall count.
Historically, the U.S. battles it out with Norway and Germany for the top spot. Norway usually wins because they are, well, Norway—they basically come out of the womb on skis. But 2026 feels different. The U.S. has depth in areas where they used to be weak.
Figure Skating Dominance
The U.S. Figure Skating Championships just wrapped up in St. Louis on January 11. Ilia Malinin, the "God of the Quad," absolutely crushed the competition with a score of 324.88. He is the heavy favorite for Olympic gold.
On the women's side, Amber Glenn is skating with a level of "feminine power" (her words) that has her at the top of the international rankings. Between Malinin, Glenn, and the ice dance duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates, the U.S. is looking at a minimum of three to four medals in figure skating alone.
Snowboarding and Freestyle Skiing
This is where the U.S. usually pads the stats. Chloe Kim is aiming for a "three-peat" in the halfpipe. She’s had a bit of a scare with a shoulder injury recently, but she’s gone on record saying she’s "good to go."
We also saw Chase Josey pull off a clutch fourth-place finish at the Laax Open just a few days ago. While fourth isn't a medal, the way he skated—including some massive switch double corks—suggests he’s peaking at exactly the right moment.
Why the 2026 Count Will Look Different
You might remember the 2022 Games in Beijing where the U.S. finished with 25 total medals (8 gold). It was a solid showing, but 2026 has a few "X-factors" that could push that number higher:
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- Ski Mountaineering: This is a new sport for 2026. The U.S. has a couple of dark horse competitors here who could sneak onto the podium.
- NHL Players are Back: For the first time in a long time, the best of the best from the NHL will be on the ice. The U.S. men’s hockey roster is looking terrifyingly fast.
- The Vonn Factor: Having a legend like Lindsey Vonn back in the mix doesn't just add a potential medal; it changes the entire energy of the Alpine team.
How to Track the Real Medals Starting February 7
The first actual medal events in Italy are scheduled for February 7, 2026. That’s when the counter finally moves from zero. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the "sliding" sports (Bobsleigh and Skeleton) and Short-track speed skating early in the first week.
Team USA typically starts slow in the first few days and then explodes once the snowboarding and freestyle skiing events kick in during the second week.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the count once the torch is lit, here is the best way to do it without getting overwhelmed by the time difference:
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- Download the Team USA App: They give real-time alerts specifically for American podiums.
- Watch the "West Coast" Primetime: Since Italy is 6 hours ahead of ET, most of the big "medal moments" will happen while you're at work, but the curated primetime broadcasts on NBC will have the best context.
- Ignore the "Total Medals" vs. "Gold Medals" debate: Some sites rank by total count, others by gold. If you want to know who is "winning," the IOC officially uses the Gold Medal count as the primary tiebreaker.
Basically, the answer to how many medals does USA have so far is technically zero, but realistically? We’re looking at a powerhouse team that’s already winning everything but the official hardware. Check back on February 7—that’s when the real fun starts.
Finalize your viewing schedule now. The Alpine Skiing events in Cortina d'Ampezzo are going to be some of the most visually stunning races in Olympic history, and with Shiffrin and Vonn both competing, you won't want to miss a single gate.