Medal Tally Leaders from each Winter Olympic Games
Winter Olympics medal leaders have shifted over time, with Norway, the Soviet Union, Germany, and the USA often topping the table. Norway’s depth in skiing makes it the most consistent leader of the medal tally. Norway's total of 18 gold medals in 2026 broke the record for the highest gold medal tally at a single Winter Games.
| Year | Country | Golds |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Norway | 18 |
| 2022 | Norway | 16 |
| 2018 | Norway | 14 |
| 2014 | Norway | 11 |
| 2010 | Canada | 14 |
| 2006 | Germany | 11 |
| 2002 | Norway | 13 |
| 1998 | Germany | 12 |
| 1994 | Russia | 11 |
| 1992 | Germany | 10 |
| 1988 | USSR | 11 |
| 1984 | East Germany | 9 |
| 1980 | USSR | 10 |
| 1976 | USSR | 13 |
| 1972 | USSR | 8 |
| 1968 | Norway | 6 |
| 1964 | USSR | 11 |
| 1960 | USSR | 7 |
| 1956 | USSR | 7 |
| 1952 | Norway | 7 |
| 1948 | Sweden | 5 |
| 1936 | Norway | 7 |
| 1932 | USA | 6 |
| 1928 | Norway | 6 |
| 1924 | Norway | 4 |
Notes:
- The country listed in this table is that which finished on top of the medal table, which was determined based on total gold medals, then silver, then bronze. There may be other countries that have won the same number of gold medals, but less of the other medals.
- The USA is the only country to win at least one gold medal at all Winter Olympics.
- If results for East and West Germany are combined, German athletes won the same number of gold medals at the 1988 Winter Olympics as the Soviet Union.
- In 2010 and 2014, the USA team finished 3rd on medal table, though if ranking was based on the total medals won (as some do), they would have finished first each time. Likewise, in 1980, 1984, 1994 and 2002, if the ranking was based on total medals won, there would be different medal table leading countries than what is listed above.
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Winter Olympic Games
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