The Italian team has made history at the Winter Olympics by setting a new national record for medals won. After successes in giant slalom, biathlon, and cross-country skiing, the hosts have already amassed 22 medals, surpassing the legendary achievement from Lillehammer in 1994. The key to success has been the performance of women and the breaking of the 'flag-bearer's curse' by the four leaders of the national team.

Sunday, February 15, 2026, was written in golden letters in the history of Italian sport. The Italian team won four medals in just one day, bringing the total to 22 medals. This broke the record from Lillehammer 1994, where Italy won 20 medals. The star of the day was Federica Brignone, who added the most precious metal in giant slalom to her earlier gold in super-G. An equally historic success was achieved by Lisa Vittozzi, winning Italy's first gold medal in biathlon in the pursuit race. Italian media highlight the extraordinary effectiveness of women, who account for six of the eight gold medals won by the team. An important symbol has been the final breaking of the so-called 'flag-bearer's curse'. All four individuals carrying the Italian flag during the opening ceremony stood on the podium. The last to do so was Federico Pellegrino, who after a bravura finish won the bronze medal in the 4x7.5 km cross-country skiing relay, overtaking the Finnish representatives on the final straight. The tradition of appointing flag-bearers at the Olympics dates back to 1908, and in Italian sport, there has long been a belief that this honor brings bad luck in the fight for medals. The most famous example of breaking sports barriers in Italian colors was Alberto Tomba, who dominated alpine skiing in the 1980s and 1990s. In the overall standings, Italy currently occupies a high second place, trailing only Norway, which has 24 medals. The hosts' successes have sparked a wave of enthusiasm across the country, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the athletes' results as 'grandiosi'. There are still seven days of competition left until the end of the Games, giving Italy a chance to consolidate its position as a winter sports powerhouse and further improve the record. <cytat autor=