[1] In a break from tradition, the medals were primarily made of crystal rather than metal: gold, silver, or bronze was used only on the border.

Making their first Olympic appearance since German reunification in 1990, Germany led in both gold and overall medals, with 10 and 26 respectively.

[6] Speed skater Ye Qiaobo of the People's Republic of China and alpine skier Marc Girardelli of Luxembourg also won their countries first ever Winter Olympic medals in Albertville.

[7][8] Croatia and Slovenia participated at their first Olympic Games as independent nations, though neither won a medal.

[9] Ski jumper Toni Nieminen of Finland became the youngest male to win a gold medal in the Winter Olympics at the age of 16.