China celebrates record-breaking success at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

China wrapped up its campaign at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics with a spectacular flourish, as Gu Ailing and Li Fanghui secured a remarkable 1-2 finish in the women's freeski halfpipe on the final competition day. 

This triumph capped off an unprecedented performance for China at an overseas Winter Games, where the delegation won five golds, four silvers, and six bronzes, surpassing the nation's previous record of 5-2-4 set at Vancouver 2010.

With a total roster of 126 athletes competing across seven sports and 91 events, China marked its largest delegation and most extensive participation in the history of overseas Winter Olympics.

Standout moments punctuated the Games, particularly in freestyle skiing, snowboarding, and speed skating. Su Yiming, the flagbearer at Sunday's closing ceremony, gifted China its first gold of the Games, appropriately on his 22nd birthday, by clinching victory in the men's snowboard slopestyle just 12 days after the opening ceremony.

In an electrifying speed skating final, Ning Zhongyan upset pre-race favorite Jordan Stolz of the United States to claim gold in the men's 1,500 meters, setting a new Olympic record with a time of 1:41.98. He also added two bronze medals to his tally in the 1,000 meters and team pursuit, marking a historic achievement as the first gold medal won in this event by an Asian skater since the inaugural Winter Olympics in 1924.

The Chinese freestyle skiing aerials team etched its name in the record books, as five-time Olympian Xu Mengtao successfully defended her women's aerials title, while her husband, Wang Xindi, triumphed in the men's event. This made them a rare married couple to each secure individual Olympic titles at the same Games, a feat worthy of celebration.

Upon her crowning in the women's freeski halfpipe, Gu Ailing became the most decorated freeskier in Olympic history, boasting a remarkable haul of three golds and three silvers across two Winter Games.

Beyond the podium finishes, China showcased significant advancements in sliding and endurance events. The men's skeleton team produced a commendable performance, with all three athletes qualifying and finishing in the top eight. Additionally, the luge team, competing overseas for the first time, achieved impressive results in men's doubles, women's singles, and team relay.

In a noteworthy debut, ski mountaineering made its Olympic entrance, where China's Bu Luer achieved an eighth-place finish in the men's sprint. This remarkable positioning is the highest ever for an Asian male athlete in World Cup, World Championships, and Olympic history, showcasing a burgeoning presence in a field traditionally dominated by European competitors.