The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has delivered a defining moment for Australian winter sport.
Australia finished the Games with six medals - three gold, two silver and one bronze - the highest medal tally in the nation's Winter Olympic history.
Australia's success spanned freestyle skiing, with two gold medals and a bronze in moguls, gold in snowboard cross, along with silver in aerials and halfpipe. Australian athletes also put in strong performances across alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and bobsled.
Jakara Anthony made history as the first Australian to win two Winter Olympic gold medals in women's moguls, while Scotty James became the first Australian to win three Winter Olympic medals in snowboard halfpipe.
These results are a testament to the skill, dedication and preparation of Australia's winter athletes and coaches, and highlight the positive impact of sustained investment in high-performance and winter sport.
Since the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, the Australian Government has committed $37.5 million to support high-performance programs for Winter Olympic and Paralympic National Sporting Organisations.
An additional $3.3 million was provided directly to eligible athletes through the dAIS program, helping them with training and living expenses as they prepare to compete at the highest level.
Australia's focus now turns to the Winter Paralympic Games, which runs from March 6-15.
While the team is still to be finalised, Paralympics Australia will send a strong team of Para athletes, including sighted guides, to take on the rest of the world at Milano-Cortina.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport Anika Wells:
"Whether they reached the podium, or smashed personal goals, every member of the Australian Winter Olympic Team should be proud of the way they competed with heart and grit against the world's best.
"I congratulate our medal winners Josie Baff, Cooper Woods, Jakara Anthony, Scotty James, Danielle Scott and Matt Graham, who have shown what is possible when preparation, commitment and opportunity come together.
"The Albanese Government's investment in high-performance and winter sports is about backing Australians - athletes, coaches and staff - to prepare and compete with confidence on the world stage.
"We also look ahead to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, and know our Paralympic athletes will continue to make us proud with their outstanding performances."
Quotes attributable to Australian Winter Olympic Team Chef de Mission Alisa Camplin:
"The Team of 2026 will never be forgotten for humbly rewriting the history books.
"They have lifted the baseline and set a new standard for what's possible when everyone unites and works together as one - our member sports, the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, the Australian Sports Commission, the State Institutes of Sport, Victorian and NSW Ski Resorts, State Government, Anika Wells, Minister for Sport and the Federal Government.
"These athletes have been sensational role models, providing lessons for all of us. They've shown that you become a better person through taking on life, pushing boundaries and being fearless in the face of both challenge and opportunity."
