As the 2026 Winter Olympics open, a visual ranking of countries by all-time Winter Games gold medals reminds the world who has dominated winter sport, and why nations like Norway and the United States remain forces to watch.

The gold inside an Olympic gold medal is worth less than the price of a flagship smartphone. Surprising, right?

Before the Open era (pre‑1968), Wimbledon was dominated by a few players who set records that were unmatched for decades. British twin William Renshaw won the gentlemen’s singles title seven times between 1881 and 1886 and again in 1889, pioneering the powerful overhead serve that would become a staple of modern tennis.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, China’s Pan Zhanle demolished his world record in the 100‑metre freestyle, and in the months since, Romania’s David Popovici and America’s Jack Alexy have continued to push the event into unexplored territory.

At just 18 years, Lamine Yamal has been named the most valuable player in world football, with an eye-watering market value of €200 million ($235m), according to the latest data from Transfermarkt.

The evolution of the long jump world record tells a story of athletic achievement and era-defining moments in sport. It began over a century ago when Peter O’Connor of Ireland made history in 1901 with a jump of 7.61 metres. This was the first officially recognised long jump world record. Remarkably, it stood unchallenged for nearly two decades before a series of athletes gradually pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible.