Norway has once again topped the Winter Olympics medal table, winning 18 golds and 41 total medals, surpassing countries with much larger populations. The United States came second with 12 golds and 33 total medals, while host nation Italy tied the Netherlands with 10 golds.
Norway's 18 golds are the most by any country in Winter Olympics history. Cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo alone won six golds, more than all but seven other nations at the Games. Norway's population is about 5.7 million, compared to the US's 342 million, China's 1.4 billion, Germany's 84 million, Italy's 59 million and Canada's 40 million.
Great Britain enjoyed its best ever Winter Olympics medal haul with three golds, a silver and a bronze. Australia also achieved its best result with three golds, two silver and a bronze. The US's 12 golds were its most at a Winter Olympics.
Norway's success is attributed to its climate, wealth and sporting culture. Youth sports in Norway emphasise fun over competition, with no scores recorded in team sports for children under 12. The country also focuses on affordable winter sports like cross-country skiing, biathlon and ski jumping, avoiding expensive events like bobsleigh.
Professor Geir Jordet of the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences said the country's athletic success comes down to 'collaboration, communication and care'. Former Norwegian Olympian Morten Aasen noted that Norway believes in a socialist approach, where success comes from hard work and togetherness.
