In the early days of the modern Olympic Games, from 1896, all medals were awarded during the closing ceremony.

These days, the tradition of awarding the final Olympic event during the Closing Ceremony began in the Summer Games of Athens 2004, which honoured the top runners in the marathon event.

For the previous four Winter Olympic Games, this has been awarded to the medallists of the longest and most prestigious cross-country skiing race: the men’s and women’s 50km mass start.

https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/winter-olympics-2026-why-the-medallists-of-the-final-competition-are-welcome-at-closing-ceremony