2026 Winter Olympics Day 10: Meyers Taylor's First Gold & U.S. Hockey Reaches Final

2026 Winter Olympics Day 10: Meyers Taylor's First Gold & U.S. Hockey Reaches Final.

2026 Winter Olympics Live Updates: Day 10 Highlights from Milan-Cortina
Introduction to Day 10: A Thrilling Monday in the Italian Alps.

                    The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina have reached the midpoint, and Day 10 on February 16 proved to be one of the most action-packed yet. With six gold medals up for grabs across various disciplines, the day delivered emotional triumphs, dominant performances, and historic firsts.

            Hosted amid the stunning backdrop of the Italian Alps, the Games continued to captivate global audiences with stories of perseverance and excellence. From the icy tracks of bobsled to the high-flying jumps in freeski big air, Monday's events showcased the diversity and intensity of winter sports.

As the sun rose over Cortina d'Ampezzo and Milan, athletes from around the world competed in women's monobob, women's ice hockey semifinals, pairs figure skating, women's freeski big air, women's 1000m short track speed skating, and more. The United States emerged as a powerhouse, securing key victories that boosted their medal tally, while nations like Japan, Canada, China, and the Netherlands celebrated breakthrough moments. According to live coverage from NBC Olympics, the day was marked by "top storylines" that included veteran athletes achieving long-awaited glory and teams advancing toward medal games.

The Olympic spirit was palpable, with crowds cheering in venues like the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena and the Cortina Sliding Centre. As reported by The Athletic, six gold medals were awarded, highlighting the competitive edge of the Games. Olympics.com provided detailed highlights, noting the day's results from short-track speed skating to Alpine events. With the medal table heating up—Norway leading in total medals, followed closely by the U.S. and Germany—the stage is set for more drama in the coming days.

In this live update recap, we'll dive deep into the top storylines, including athlete backgrounds, event breakdowns, reactions from social media, and expert analysis. Whether you're a die-hard winter sports fan or a casual viewer, Day 10 offered something for everyone. Let's break it down event by event.

Elana Meyers Taylor's Historic Gold in Women's Monobob: A Fifth Olympics Triumph

One of the most inspiring stories of Day 10 was Elana Meyers Taylor's victory in the women's monobob, where she finally claimed the elusive Olympic gold medal. At 41 years old and competing in her fifth Olympic Games, Meyers Taylor dominated the field at the Cortina Sliding Centre, posting a combined time that edged out competitors by a slim margin. Her win not only marked her first gold but also made her the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history, with a total of six medals across her career.

Meyers Taylor's journey to this moment has been nothing short of remarkable. A former softball player at George Washington University, she transitioned to bobsled in 2007, drawn to the sport's speed and physical demands. She earned silvers in two-woman bobsled at the 2014 Sochi and 2018 PyeongChang Games, and a bronze in 2022 Beijing, but gold had always slipped away—until now. As ABC News reported, Meyers Taylor, already the most decorated Black Winter Olympian, secured gold in a storybook finish. CBS News echoed this, noting she became the most decorated U.S. female bobsledder.

The event itself was a test of precision and power. Monobob, introduced as an Olympic discipline in 2022, requires athletes to pilot a single-person sled down the icy track, combining speed, technique, and strength. Meyers Taylor's runs were flawless, with her first heat setting a track record. She held off a strong challenge from Germany's Laura Nolte, who took silver, while fellow American Kaillie Humphries claimed bronze. Humphries, a 40-year-old mother like Meyers Taylor, added to the narrative of veteran athletes defying age expectations. As X user Jody Genessy posted, "Monobob? More like Momobob! Two mothers in their 40s win gold and bronze."

Reactions poured in on social media, capturing the emotional weight of the win. Tyler Thompson on X shared, "Watching Elana Meyers Taylor win gold in the monobob and celebrate with her family has been my favorite part of the Olympics so far. Never give up!" Georgia's Gabriel Sterling celebrated her as a local hero: "Congratulations to Douglas County, Georgia native Elana Meyers Taylor on bringing home the Gold Medal." The win was especially poignant for Meyers Taylor, who has overcome injuries, including a torn Achilles in 2023, and balanced motherhood with elite competition. Her husband, Nic Taylor, a fellow bobsledder, and their young son were rinkside, adding a family touch to the victory ceremony.

In interviews post-race, Meyers Taylor reflected on her perseverance. "This gold means everything after all these years," she told NBC reporters. "It's for my family, my team, and everyone who's supported me." The Athletic's coverage highlighted the emotional end to her Olympic quest, noting her tears during the medal ceremony. This victory boosts Team USA's standing in sliding sports, where they've historically excelled.

To visualize the moment, here's Meyers Taylor proudly holding her gold medal, a symbol of resilience.

Team USA Olympic Bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor Secures Gold Medal in Historic Win.

And another shot of her biting the medal, a classic Olympic tradition.

Elana Meyers Taylor wins Olympic monobob title at Milan Cortina Games

Meyers Taylor's story extends beyond the track. As a advocate for diversity in winter sports, she's inspired a new generation of athletes from underrepresented backgrounds. Her win on Day 10 underscores the Olympics' theme of breaking barriers, and with more bobsled events ahead, she could add to her legacy.

U.S. Women's Hockey Team Dominates Sweden, Secures Spot in Gold Medal Game

Shifting to the ice rink, the U.S. women's hockey team delivered a commanding performance in their semifinal against Sweden, winning 5-0 to punch their ticket to the gold medal game. Played at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, the shutout extended the Americans' dominant run, having outscored opponents 31-1 through six games without allowing a goal in over 16 periods.

The game was a showcase of U.S. depth and defensive prowess. Hilary Knight, the team captain, scored twice, while Kendall Coyne Schofield, Amanda Kessel, and Alex Carpenter added goals. Goaltender Alex Cavallini was impeccable, stopping all 22 shots from Sweden. As CNN reported, the U.S. dominated, with eyes now on the gold medal match. The Toronto Star noted Canada's advancement in the other semifinal, setting up a potential "Border Battle" rematch.

This victory continues the U.S. team's quest for back-to-back golds after their 2022 triumph. Historically, the rivalry with Canada has defined women's hockey, with the two nations splitting the last six Olympic finals. The U.S. will face the winner of Canada vs. Switzerland, with the game scheduled for Thursday. Switzerland put up a fight against Canada, losing 2-1, as per CNN.

Social media buzzed with praise for the team's shutout streak. Jenna Harner on X highlighted, "The dominance continues for the US Women's hockey team. They're headed to Thursday's gold medal game with a 5-0 shutout over Sweden." Fans celebrated the team's chemistry, forged through years of international play and the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).

Key to the win was the U.S. power play, converting 3 of 5 opportunities, and their penalty kill, which neutralized Sweden's attacks. Coach John Wroblewski praised the team's focus: "We've been building for this moment." The Los Angeles Times provided live updates, emphasizing the semifinal's intensity.

Capturing the celebration, here's the team huddling after their victory.

Olympics: U.S. women's hockey beats Sweden, reaches gold-medal game - Los Angeles Times

And another image of the jubilant squad on the ice.

USA women's hockey dominates Olympic semifinal vs Sweden

This performance positions the U.S. as favorites for gold, but Canada remains a formidable foe. With stars like Marie-Philip Poulin, the final promises high-stakes drama.

Emotional Gold for Japan's Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara in Pairs Figure Skating

In a tear-jerking finale to pairs figure skating, Japan's Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara delivered a flawless free skate to win gold, scoring 231.24 points overall. This marked Japan's first-ever Olympic gold in pairs, a historic milestone for a nation dominant in singles but emerging in pairs.

The duo, who train in Canada, overcame a short program deficit with a program to "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg," featuring triple twists and throws executed with precision. Their emotional reaction—tears and hugs on the ice—captured hearts worldwide. As TASS reported, they topped the podium with their total score. Getty Images Sport shared stunning photos of their performance.

Miura, 22, and Kihara, 31, have risen rapidly since pairing in 2019, winning world championships in 2023. Their story includes overcoming injuries—Miura battled a shoulder issue last season. Post-win, Kihara said, "This is for Japan and our supporters." Fr. Chris Vorderbruggen on X called it "a beautiful moment." Kyodo News and Yahoo Sports announced the win, noting its significance.

Reuters detailed their comeback, praising the remarkable skate. NBC Olympics highlighted the tear-filled victory.

See their daring lift in action.

Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara skate to Japan's first ever Olympic pairs title with remarkable comeback | Reuters

And the emotional embrace after.

How Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara pulled off tear-filled comeback to win Olympic gold | NBC Olympics

This gold elevates Japan's figure skating program, inspiring future pairs teams.

Megan Oldham Takes Gold, Eileen Gu Silver in Women's Freeski Big Air

The women's freeski big air event saw Canada's Megan Oldham soar to gold with a stunning final jump, scoring 182.50 points. China's Eileen Gu, the defending champion, earned silver with 181.00, while Italy's Flora Tabanelli took bronze in her Olympic debut.

Oldham, 22, from Parry Sound, Ontario, nailed a double cork 1620, a trick she'd perfected in training. Her win marks Canada's continued success in freestyle skiing. CBC Sports celebrated her capture of big air gold. The New York Times noted Gu's silver and Tabanelli's bronze despite competing without an ACL.

Gu, 22, added to her medal haul but couldn't defend her title. "Silver is still amazing," she said. CBS News covered the event, highlighting Oldham's sensational performance.

Oldham's victory pose in the snow.

Canadian freestyle skier Megan Oldham captures Olympic big air gold | CBC Sports

And her triumphant fist pump.

Canadian freestyler skier Oldham wins big air gold - National | Globalnews.ca

This event showcased the progression of women's freestyle, with higher difficulty tricks than ever.

Xandra Velzeboer's Double Gold in Short Track Speed Skating

The Netherlands' Xandra Velzeboer paced the field to win gold in the women's 1000m short track, her second of the Games after the 500m. The 22-year-old dominated the final, finishing in 1:28.456, ahead of South Korea's Kim Boutin (silver) and Belgium's Hanne Desmet (bronze).

Velzeboer's speed and strategy were unmatched, breaking records earlier in the Games. NBC Olympics called it "Dutch dominance." The Olympic Games tweeted her medal alert. Olympics.com praised her 500-1000m double.

AP News detailed her second gold. Olympics.com echoed the Dutch delight.

Her joyful medal ceremony.

Xandra Velzeboer wins 1,000 meters short track for 2nd gold of the Olympics | AP News

And celebratory scream on ice.

Winter Olympics 2026: Dutch delight as Xandra Velzeboer takes second gold of Games in women's 1000m short track

Velzeboer's wins contribute to the Netherlands' short track haul, solidifying their ice supremacy.

Additional Highlights from Day 10: Medal Table and Other Events

Beyond the top storylines, Day 10 featured excitement in men's slalom, where Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen won gold, and men's ski jumping super team, claimed by Austria. YouTube clips from NBC captured thrilling hockey action between Switzerland and Czechia. WESH provided video highlights of U.S. pushes in hockey and bobsled.

The medal table as of Day 10: Norway leads with 12 golds, U.S. with 9, Germany 8, Netherlands 7, Canada 6. Italy's Federica Brignone added to the host nation's tally with golds in super-G and giant slalom, as per Los Angeles Times.

NBC's top moments included Breezy Johnson's downhill gold, overcoming past injuries. TMJ4 and Yahoo Sports recapped cinematic views and daily results.

Associated Press photo galleries showcased Day 10's visuals.