A message from the OCA President, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani
Kuwait City, Kuwait, February 23, 2026: On behalf of the Olympic Council of Asia, I would like to congratulate all our Asian athletes and National Olympic Committees for their major contribution to the outstanding success of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Asia played a big part in the global appeal of the Winter Olympics, not only with their medal-winning performances on the snow and ice but also by the presence of athletes from NOCs not known for winter sports. Both aspects make us very proud.
First, our leading Asian athletes more than matched the winter sports super powers from Northern Europe and North America in several sports, while the athletes from NOCs lacking snow and ice highlighted the development and growth of the winter sports movement throughout the Asian continent.
The OCA is convinced that the experience of the Harbin Asian Winter Games in February 2025 proved to be a real benefit for the athletes and officials. Not only did the athletes take part in a competitive environment but also competed in world-class venues, helping them to prepare for the grand stage of the Olympic Winter Games.
Four Asian NOCs earned a place in the final medal rankings, as a total of 29 NOCs won at least one medal.
Japan, with such a strong winter sports history and tradition, finished in 10th place overall with five gold medals, seven silver and 12 bronze medals. Japan’s total of 24 medals was six more than their previous best of 18 at a single Games – a great effort. Japan excelled in snowboard, with four gold medals and nine medals in total from this one sport alone.
China also won five gold medals, along with four silver and six bronze medals for 15 total medals and 12th position in the rankings. China excelled in freestyle skiing, with three gold medals and nine medals in total.
Korea, in 13th place, won three gold, four silver and three bronze medals. Short track speed skating provided two of those three gold medals and seven of the 10 total medals.
In 19th place, Kazakhstan won one gold medal – but it was a highlight of the Games for Mikhail Shaidorov in the men’s single figure skating. Shaidorov had won the bronze medal at Harbin 2025 but produced the skate of his life to take Olympic gold.
Kazakhstan has a new national hero, setting the scene for the OCA’s 10th Asian Winter Games in Almaty in 2029.
Congratulations Asia!
