Every Winter Olympics brings new faces into the spotlight. Some arrive as favorites. Others step in quietly and leave as global names. The Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics 2026 did exactly that. A group of athletes turned single performances into life changing moments. Their wins were not only about medals. They were about timing, courage, and doing their best when it mattered most.
Fans around the world watched these athletes rise in real time. Social media followed every jump, run, and finish line moment. Many of them were known in their own countries before the Games. Few were famous outside their sport. One race or one routine changed that. Records were broken. Big names were beaten. History was written in front of packed crowds and millions of screens. These athletes became symbols of the Games. Their stories spread faster than highlights. Some were teenagers. Others had years of struggle behind them. Each one showed how the Olympics can turn effort into instant fame.
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Here are seven athletes who became overnight stars at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics 2026.
7. Su Yiming (China): Snowboard Slopestyle Champion
Yiming Su of the People’s Republic of China celebrates his gold medal in the men’s snowboarding slopestyle final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park. Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Su Yiming was already seen as a future star before the Games. His slopestyle final made him a present one. He won gold on his 22nd birthday. The timing made the moment even more special. His clean landings and strong control gave him the top score. China earned its first Winter Games gold through him. Cameras stayed on him after the event. Crowds cheered loudly during the medal ceremony. Later in the Games, he was chosen as flag bearer at the closing ceremony. That honor showed how important his win was for his country. His smile and calm style made him popular with young fans. The victory pushed him into global sports headlines.
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6. Ning Zhongyan (China): Speed Skating Underdog Superstar
Zhongyan Ning of China celebrates with a flag after winning the men’s speedskating 1500m during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Speed Skating Stadium. Credit: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters via Imagn Images
Ning Zhongyan entered the men’s 1500m as an underdog. Few expected him to beat the top favorites. His race changed everything. He crossed the line first with a new Olympic record. The crowd reacted with shock and applause. Commentators called it one of the biggest surprises in speed skating. Chinese fans celebrated online within minutes. News channels replayed the finish again and again. His calm reaction after winning showed confidence and focus. From that day, his name became known far beyond skating circles. He left the Games as one of China’s breakout athletes.
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5. Nika and Domen Prevc (Slovenia): Ski Jumping Siblings Turned Icons
Nika Prevc and Domen Prevc made Olympic history together. Both siblings reached the podium in ski jumping. Their success turned into a family story that fans loved. Cameras showed them celebrating side by side. Slovenia had seen strong jumpers before. This moment felt different. A sister and brother winning medals in the same Games was rare. Their consistency on the hill impressed judges and rivals. Interviews focused on their bond and shared training. The story spread across sports media. Many people followed ski jumping just to watch them. Their medals made them national icons overnight.
4. Jutta Leerdam (Netherlands): Speed Skating Record Breaker
Silver medalist Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands celebrates during the medal ceremony for the women’s 500m during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Speed Skating Stadium. Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Jutta Leerdam was already known in speed skating. Milano-Cortina made her famous outside it. She won gold in the women’s 1000m. Her time set a new Olympic record. The race was smooth and powerful from start to finish. Social media reacted instantly. Millions followed her after the event. Photos and clips spread across platforms. Dutch fans praised her as the face of their team. Global outlets covered her record run. The win turned her into one of the most talked about athletes of the Games. Fame followed within a single day.
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3. Goan Choi (South Korea): New Halfpipe Snowboarding Champion
Goan Choi was only 17 years old when she entered the halfpipe final. She faced one of the sport’s biggest names. Her run was bold and clean. Judges rewarded her with the top score. She won gold and dethroned Chloe Kim. Fans saw a new champion rise. Her youthful energy stood out during the medal ceremony. South Korean media called her the future of snowboarding. International viewers admired her fearless style. The upset became one of the biggest stories of the Games. She went from teenager to star in a single night.
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2. Franjo von Allmen (Switzerland): Triple Gold Alpine Star
Gold medallist Franjo von Allmen of Switzerland celebrates on the podium after the men’s alpine skiing super G race during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Stelvio Ski Centre. Credit: Marko Djurica/Reuters via Imagn Images
Franjo von Allmen delivered one of the most dominant performances in alpine skiing. He won three gold medals. Downhill came first. Super-G followed soon after. Team combined completed the sweep. Each race showed speed and control. His wins came within days, which made the run feel unreal. Swiss fans celebrated across the country. Commentators compared his rise to past legends. His name topped medal tables and headlines. Few athletes manage three golds in alpine skiing. This feat turned him into one of the biggest stars of Milano-Cortina.
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1. Breezy Johnson (USA): Alpine Skiing Sensation
Breezy Johnson of the United States reacts in the finish area after a DNF in the women’s alpine skiing Super G race during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre. Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
Breezy Johnson shocked the alpine skiing world. She won Team USA’s first Olympic gold in alpine skiing at Milano-Cortina. Her journey made the moment stronger. Injuries had forced her to miss past Olympics. Many doubted her return. She answered with a stunning downhill run. Her speed and balance carried her to the top. American fans celebrated a long waited victory. Media praised her comeback story. The win lifted her into global fame instantly. From injury to Olympic champion, her story became one of the defining moments of the Games.
Conclusion
Milano-Cortina 2026 showed how fast sports stories can change. One race can create a star. These seven athletes proved that effort and timing can rewrite careers. Their wins shaped the mood of the Games and inspired millions.
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