From Ilia Malinin’s Collapse to Alysa Liu’s Triumph: 6 Stand-Out Moments from the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics

By Grok Sports Desk Milan-Cortina, February 24, 2026 – The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina delivered drama, dominance, heartbreak, and inspiration across two unforgettable weeks. From historic medal hauls to shocking falls and poignant protests, these Games left an indelible mark. AFP Sport highlights six standout moments that defined the competition.

1. Franjo Von Allmen’s Alpine Skiing Triple Gold for Switzerland Swiss skier Franjo Von Allmen, 24, etched his name alongside legends like Toni Sailer and Jean-Claude Killy by becoming only the third man to win three alpine golds at a single Winter Olympics. He claimed victory in the downhill and super-G, then teamed with Tanguy Nef to triumph in the team combined in Bormio. The Swiss men’s team dominated, securing four of five golds and eight of 15 total alpine medals, showcasing unparalleled depth and precision on the slopes.

Untouchable Franjo von Allmen captures gold in Olympic downhill | NBC Olympics
nbcolympics.com

Untouchable Franjo von Allmen captures gold in Olympic downhill | NBC Olympics

Franjo Von Allmen powers down the course en route to one of his three historic golds.

2. Lindsey Vonn’s Horrific Crash and Battle for Recovery American icon Lindsey Vonn, 41, made headlines for the wrong reasons after a devastating crash mere seconds into the women’s downhill. Despite a ruptured ACL just a week prior, her determination to compete was remarkable. The fall resulted in a complex tibia fracture, compartment syndrome nearly costing her leg, and multiple surgeries in Italy before returning home for further treatment. Vonn’s resilience highlighted the sport’s dangers, casting doubt on another comeback for one of skiing’s most recognizable figures.

Lindsey Vonn Almost Lost Her Leg Following Brutal Olympics Injury - Yahoo News Singapore
sg.news.yahoo.com

Lindsey Vonn Almost Lost Her Leg Following Brutal Olympics Injury – Yahoo News Singapore

Lindsey Vonn, the legendary U.S. skier, shown before her tragic crash that ended her Olympic campaign.

3. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo’s Historic 6-for-6 Cross-Country Sweep Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo achieved the impossible: six golds from six races in Tesero. The 29-year-old’s Grand Slam elevated his Olympic tally to 11, surpassing records and joining elite company like Eric Heiden (five in 1980) and Ole Einar Bjørndalen (four in 2002). Only Michael Phelps (23) has more Winter/Summer golds overall. Klæbo’s dominance redefined endurance limits in the grueling sport.

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo strikes gold again and again - KQ2 | St. Joseph, Missouri News, Weather & Sports
kq2.com

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo strikes gold again and again – KQ2 | St. Joseph, Missouri News, Weather & Sports

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo celebrates another victory, capping his unprecedented six-gold haul.

4. Ilia Malinin’s Shocking Collapse in Men’s Figure Skating U.S. sensation Ilia Malinin, the “Quad God” and two-time world champion, entered as the hot favorite after leading the short program and helping Team USA to team gold. Holding a five-point advantage, disaster struck in the free skate with two falls, dropping him to a humiliating eighth place. The 21-year-old attributed the “mental” breakdown to invisible pressures on the world’s biggest stage, ending an unbeaten streak of over two years in a moment of raw vulnerability.

Ilia Malinin's collapse: Olympics are a different kind of pressure - Los Angeles Times
latimes.com

Ilia Malinin’s collapse: Olympics are a different kind of pressure – Los Angeles Times

Ilia Malinin reacts during his error-filled free skate, tumbling from favorite to eighth.

5. Alysa Liu’s Dynamic Triumph Ends U.S. Women’s Skating Drought Alysa Liu delivered a sparkling free skate with seven triples, clinching America’s first women’s individual figure skating gold in 24 years. After a sixth-place finish in Beijing at 16 and a two-year break, the now world champion returned stronger, also contributing to team gold. Her joyful, artistic performance to “MacArthur Park” burst with emotion, marking a remarkable comeback and restoring U.S. pride on the ice.

Alysa Liu just won Olympic gold for figure skating. She wins one for her style too, with her 'smiley' piercing and 'halo' hair | CNN
cnn.com

Alysa Liu just won Olympic gold for figure skating. She wins one for her style too, with her ‘smiley’ piercing and ‘halo’ hair | CNN

Alysa Liu beams with joy after securing Olympic gold in women’s figure skating.

6. Vladyslav Heraskevych’s Defiant Helmet Protest and IOC Disqualification Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych refused to remove his helmet honoring over 20 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Deemed a political violation under the Olympic Charter, he was disqualified after discussions with IOC President Kirsty Coventry. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the decision as aiding aggressors. Heraskevych vowed to appeal and race with the “helmet of memory” again, prioritizing remembrance over medals.

Ukrainians rally in support of Olympian Vladyslav Heraskevych, banned for his helmet | Georgia Public Broadcasting
gpb.org

Ukrainians rally in support of Olympian Vladyslav Heraskevych, banned for his helmet | Georgia Public Broadcasting

Vladyslav Heraskevych races with his commemorative helmet, leading to his disqualification.

These moments captured the essence of the Milan-Cortina Games: triumph through perseverance, the sting of defeat, and the enduring power of sport to inspire and provoke. As the Olympic flame extinguishes, the legacies endure.