Italy’s Olympic Success: How Home Advantage and Women’s Performances Fueled a Record Haul

Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, are witnessing a historic Winter Olympics for the host nation. As of February 16, 2026, Italy has secured 22 medals – eight gold, four silver, and ten bronze – surpassing their previous best of 20 medals achieved at the 1994 Lillehammer Games. This success is being attributed to a combination of home advantage and the exceptional performance of Italian women athletes.

The Shrinking, But Still Present, Home Advantage

The concept of home advantage in the Olympics, while still a factor, has diminished over time. Carl Singleton, a senior lecturer in economics at the University of Stirling, Scotland, has researched this phenomenon extensively. His research, including a 2021 study analyzing Olympic Games from 1896 to 2021, reveals a gradual reduction in home advantage due to increased diversity in sports, competition, and participation. In 1924, only 16 countries competed in the Winter Olympics; today, over 90 nations participate.

Singleton notes that while home advantage is smaller than ever, it remains “substantial.”

Italian Women Lead the Charge

Italy’s medal count is particularly striking when considering the role of its female athletes. Women have medaled in 16 events, either individually or as part of a team, exceeding their performance at the previous Games. Stars like Alpine skier Federica Brignone, who overcame a severe injury to win two gold medals, and speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida, who set an Olympic record in the women’s 3,000-meters, are leading the way.

Singleton’s data indicates that between 1988 and 2016, home advantage in Winter Olympics events was approximately 50% larger in men’s events but virtually nonexistent in women’s. The success of Italian women is now mirroring the home advantage typically seen in men’s sports, attributed to increased funding and access for women’s sports.

Familiarity with Facilities Provides an Edge

Singleton’s research identifies four key factors contributing to home advantage: crowd support, lack of travel, familiarity with conditions, and potential refereeing bias. In Italy’s case, familiarity with the facilities appears to be a significant advantage. Italy only added two new venues for these Games – a sliding center and an ice arena – allowing Italian athletes ample opportunity to practice on the existing facilities.

Will the Success Continue? The Question of Spillover

While the current success is exhilarating, questions remain about its longevity. Historically, the impact of hosting the Olympics on future performance is mixed. Singleton’s data suggests that spillover effects are more common in the Summer Games than the Winter Games, and recent hosts have often experienced a decline in medal counts in subsequent Olympics. China won 15 medals at the 2022 Winter Olympics but has only won five in Milan and Cortina. South Korea saw a drop from 17 medals in 2018 to nine in 2022, and currently has six.

Singleton emphasizes that the intangible benefits of hosting – national pride, shared memories, and inspiration for future generations – are valuable even if they are difficult to quantify.

Italy’s athletes have demonstrated that even with a potentially diminishing home advantage, it can be effectively harnessed to achieve remarkable results.