The 2026 Winter Olympic Games kick off in Italy on Friday, with top athletes from across the world competing for not just any prize, but for the most expensive medals in Olympics history. The Milano Cortina-based games come as the value of precious metals have skyrocketed, most notably gold and silver. Gold was worth about $2,500 per ounce when the Paris Summer Olympics took place in 2024.
The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are finally starting to feel really, really realbecause Ralph Lauren just dropped its Team USA 2026 collection. The all-American designer (whose Christmas aesthetic is likely taking over your social media feeds as we speak) has been outfitting US Olympians and Paralympians for nearly 20 years, and the same will be true for these upcoming Games.