On Friday, August 7th, 2026, President Donald Trump welcomed more than 120 Team USA Winter Olympians and Paralympians to the White House to honor their outstanding performances at the Milano Cortina Winter Games earlier this year.

The United States team, comprising 300 athletes, brought home a total of 57 medals, including 12 gold medals. This marked the most gold medals ever won by the U.S. in a single Winter Games year. Additionally, Team USA secured 33 medals at these Games, the highest number ever won outside North America.

Paralympians contributed significantly with 24 medals earned by 72 competitors across five sports, including 13 gold medals. Notably, the Paralympic sled hockey team achieved their fifth consecutive gold medal, extending one of the greatest dynasties in international sports.

President Trump praised the athletes, highlighting the achievements of both the men’s and women’s Olympic hockey teams. He remarked on the historic women’s hockey team, stating, "This team left everything on the ice."

The celebration took place in the East Room of the White House, where Trump posed with medal-winning athletes. Earlier in the year, he had also invited the men’s Olympic hockey team to his State of the Union address shortly after their gold medal victory.

Among the celebrated athletes were Megan Keller and Hannah Bilka, who helped secure the gold medal in women's ice hockey after defeating Canada during the Games.

Sources