The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Winter Olympics, were a winter multi-sport event held in Lillehammer, Norway, from 12 to 27 February 1994.[1] 1,737 athletes representing 67 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) participated.[2] The games featured 61 events in 6 sports and 12 disciplines.[3][4] Due to scheduling changes made in 1986 with the intent to begin holding the Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics in different years for the first time and moving forward, this edition of the Winter Olympics took place only two years after the previous event.[5][6]
Russia, in its first Winter Olympics after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, won the most gold medals, with 11, while host nation Norway had the most medals overall, with 26.[13][14] Among individual participants, Norwegian speed skater Johann Olav Koss and Russian cross-country skier Lyubov Yegorova tied for the most gold medals, with three each, while Italian cross-country skier Manuela Di Centa had the most medals overall with five (two gold, two silver, and one bronze).[15]