News

Russia Tops Sochi Medal Count

by Sarah Hedgecock

As the 2014 Winter Olympics close, we're left with memories of international unity, the nobility of sport, and which Olympic country is the best Olympic country. This year, the winner of the medal count was host country Russia, which dominated in both gold medals and overall medal count. For number of medals, Russia was closely followed by the U.S. and Norway.

Russian athletes did their country proud with 33 medals awarded overall. That number includes 13 gold medals, the last of which was awarded to cross-country skier Alexander Legkov during the closing ceremony itself. He was flanked by teammates Maxim Vylegzhanin and Ilia Chernousov, who won silver and bronze, respectively, in the men's 50km. Broken down, Russia snagged 13 gold, 11 silver, and 9 bronze medals.

Coming in second on the Sochi 2014 medal count was the United States, whose athletes won 28 medals total: 9 gold, 7 silver, and 12 bronze. The 2014 Olympics marked the first year since 1984 that the long-track speed skating team won no medals. Although it's always a bit of a disappointment to come in second, American athletes were first in one thing: number of bronze medals.

Norway won 26 medals, the third-most overall at Sochi, including 11 gold, the second-most at these Games. Its last gold medal was also awarded during the closing ceremony, to cross-country skier Marit Bjoergen. The Norwegian women's 30km cross-country ski team swept that event.

Rounding out the top five were Canada, which won 25 medals including 10 gold, and the Netherlands, with 24 medals including 8 gold. All of the Dutch medals were won for speed skating.