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 record-breaking performances at the Milano Cortina Winter Games earlier this year.

The United States team, comprising 300 athletes, returned home with a total of 57 medals, including 12 gold medals. This haul marked the most-ever U.S. gold medals won in a single Winter Games year and the highest number of medals (33) won by Team USA at a Winter Olympics held outside North America.

In addition, 72 Paralympians competing across five sports brought back 24 medals, including 13 golds. Notably, the Paralympic sled hockey team secured 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, saying, "We can’t forget and never would — and nobody would have the courage to forget either because they are amazing. This team left everything on the ice."

The celebration took place in the East Room of the White House, where athletes, including multiple Paralympic medalist Laurie Stephens and two-time Olympian Frank Del Duca, participated in the event. Earlier in the year, Trump had also invited members of the men’s Olympic hockey team to his State of the Union address shortly after their gold medal victory.

Megan Keller and Hannah Bilka were among those celebrated for their gold medal win in women's ice hockey after defeating Canada during the Games.

Sources