Why Do Some Countries Win So Many Olympic Medals?
Wealth, Cold Climates, and the Political Economy of Sporting Success
The 2026 Winter Olympics, held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo from February 6 to 22, drew significant global attention. The Games were the most-watched Winter Olympics in the United States since 2014, averaging around 23.5 million viewers on NBC and affiliated platforms, a 96 percent increase over Beijing 2022.
On the field, two outcomes stood out. Norwa…