Norway, a small but wealthy country, excelled at the recent Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, securing 41 medals including 18 golds, outperforming the United States significantly. This achievement marks Norway's fourth consecutive win in the medal standings and their eleventh overall. Historically, they've maintained a dominant lead in the medal tally, with the United States lagging significantly behind in total medals.

However, despite their success in various winter sports, Norway has faced persistent struggles in ice hockey, the sport usually considered the crown jewel of the Winter Olympics. The Norwegian men's national team did not qualify for the games for the second time in a row, and the women’s team has never participated in the Olympic games. This absence highlights a glaring gap in an otherwise strong sports resume, raising questions about Norway's approach to this popular sport.

The article discusses the contrast between Norway's winter sports prowess and its failure in ice hockey, suggesting that despite the country's wealth and resources dedicated to sports, there are underlying challenges and structural issues that have kept Norway from excelling in this particular area. This reveals not only the nuances of national sports cultures but also the importance of historical context in athletic success, reopening discussions about what it takes to build competitive teams in team sports like ice hockey.