The 2026 Winter Olympics are already underway in Milan Cortina, with the Opening Ceremony kicking off an exhilarating start to the next two weeks. As unity, sportsmanship, and comebacks take center stage, the Winter Games always bring joy to the dreary winter months. Here is some key information to better understand the Italian region, events, and athletes on your screen.
Where Did The Winter Olympics Come From?
Though it has been over 100 years since the Winter Olympics began in 1924 in Chamonix, France, 2026 marks the 25th Winter Olympic games. Winter sports were seen as “elitist,” so there was less incentive to include them in the modern Olympics. However, figure skating and ice hockey were among the first winter sports to become a part of the Olympics, and eventually an International Winter Sports Week was established when France hosted the Olympics in 1924. Though the title of Winter Olympics had not yet been coined, 1924 was the official start to the Games, and in 1986, the current choice of having the Winter and Summer Olympics every four years was decided by the IOC (International Olympic Committee). In 1994, the Winter Olympics and the Summer Olympics were officially separated and stopped being held in the same year, and over the years, more winter sports have been added to the program.
What’s Milan Cortina?
2026 will be the first time an Olympic Games will have two hosts: the city of Milan, and the town of Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Italian Alps. However, this is not the first time Italy has hosted the Olympics. In 1956, the Winter Olympics were hosted in Cortina, where the Games would first be seen on television. Then in 2006 the Winter Olympics were hosted in Turin, and Rome had the privilege of hosting the Summer Olympics in 1960. The Games are widely spread out over eight territories with six Olympic villages this year, and overall are “spanning an area of roughly 8,495 square miles.”
What’s The Role Of Sustainability In The Games?
The snow may be starting to melt in the DMV, but the same problem is affecting the Alps, even if watching the Winter Olympics offers an escape into the mountains. Cortina is a part of the Dolomite mountains, which means the Games are being held at a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This title is a factor that has further emphasized the importance of promoting a more sustainable Olympics. Since 1994, the issue of incorporating sustainability into the games has been in discussion, with the IOC having a goal “to minimise [their] footprint,” Yet due to the increasing severity of climate change, NPR reports how warmer weather is disrupting the winter environment, leading to “most sporting events […taking] place on artificial snow and ice” in the Olympics. To create all the snow, “250 million gallons of water” have been used in Cortina. Even though the IOC made sure to point out that having multiple regions host Olympic venues and villages contributes to less construction, the ecosystem is still under stress. There is still construction being built for the Games, like bobsled and luge tracks, and this is contributing to the urbanization of the natural beauty of the Italian Alps.
What Happened During the Opening Ceremony?
Bringing Italian culture, legends, and art together, the opening ceremony was a spectacle to watch! The acts were supposed to center around harmony, as Armonia is the theme of this year’s opening ceremony, and the event was filled with Italian actors, singers, and dancers. Mostly located in Milan’s San Siro Stadium, there were many memorable performances, starting with a ballet performance that turned to a colorful dance led by Matilda De Angelis, an Italian actress. This performance was filled with fun costumes that showcased Italian opera composers, cuisine, and art, and included even more color through giant paint tube props. Mariah Carey was one of the stars who took the stage next, where she sang the song “Volare,” and the Italian designer Giorgio Armani was recognized as performers then walked out dressed in green, white, and red. The Olympic rings and the Italian flag were raised into the air, and there were also performances by Andrea Bocelli, the Italian singer and Ghali, an Italian rapper. Later on, a musical number by Sabrina Impacciatore, an Italian actress, went through Winter Olympic history.
One of the best parts of the Opening Ceremony is watching each country walk out during the Parade of Nations. Just by seeing the flag-bearer leading the group of athletes, the outfits each country has on, and the pure excitement on everyone’s faces, the whole event elevates the anticipation to see what each athlete will do in the next two and a half weeks. The Opening Ceremony ended with the lighting of two Olympic Cauldrons in both hosting locations, a first for the Olympics, and with that, the Games officially began!
What Are The Sports?
This year, a new sport, ski mountaineering, was added to the winter sport list this year, along with some new events including skeleton mixed team and luge women’s doubles. The total list of events for the Winter Olympics are:
- Alpine Skiing
- Biathlon
- Bobsledding
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Curling
- Figure Skating
- Freestyle Skiing
- Ice Hockey
- Luge
- Nordic Combined
- Short Track Speed Skating
- Skeleton
- Ski Jumping
- Ski Mountaineering
- Snowboard
- Speed Skating
Which Athletes Should You Look Out For?
There are 93 countries competing in the Winter Olympics and Paralympics this year, and with “more than 3,500 athletes” to watch, each one is a certainly a stand-out. Here are a few to look out for while you’re watching events this week:
- Alysia Liu, Figure Skating, USA
This is not Liu’s first Olympics, as she competed in 2022 in Beijing at the age of 16. This year she has come out of retirement to compete, with her signature style and music, and she just floats on the ice.
- Amber Glenn, Figure Skating, USA
A member of the queer community and mental health advocate, this will be Glenn’s Olympic debut. She is known for her ability to complete a triple axel, and has won the national champion titles in U.S. figure skating three times.
- Ilia Malinin, Figure Skating, USA
Also known as the “Quad God,” figure skater Ilia Malinin has become quite popular. Not only can he do a backflip on the ice, but Malinin’s ability to complete the difficult quadruple axel sets him apart from other skaters.
- Madison Chock and Evan Bates, Figure Skating, USA
This married figure skating couple have been competing in the Winter Olympics since 2014, and are fabulous in the ice dance with their designed outfits, stories, and themed choreography.
- Erin Jackson, Speedskating, USA
A speed skater who made history as the first Black women to win gold in an individual event, the 500m event in Beijing, Jackson is hoping to repeat the result again this year. This will be her third Olympics, and Jackson also was the flag-bearer for the U.S. in the Parade of Nations this year.
- Yuma Kagiyama, Figure Skating, Japan
Kagiyama is a figure skater who won silver in 2022, and is very expressive in his performance. Plus, he and Malinin are close in ranking and rivalry, with Kagiyama beat him for gold in the team event this past weekend, and is staying close behind in the men’s short program.
- Conner McDavid, Ice Hockey, Canada
Even though this is McDavid’s first Olympics, he is heavily considered “the best ice hockey player on the planet.” At nineteen, he became captain of the Edmonton Oilers, and is known for being a high-scorer.
- Tallulah Proulx, Alpine Skiing, The Philippines
Prolux is notable not only for her determination and skiing skills, but also for being the youngest athlete from Southeast Asia to compete at the age of 17, and for being the first Filipina women.
- Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner, Curling, Italy
This curling duo has already won gold in Beijing, which was a first for Italy in the curling event, and have continued to have an impressive performance.
- Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Snowboarding, New Zealand
Sadowski-Synnott has been called “the defending slopestyle world champion,” and has already been to the 2018 and 2022 Olympics, where she won gold and silver in Beijing competing in slopestyle and big air.
Fun Facts
- Norway is currently the country that holds the most Winter Olympic medals, with 405 medals spanning across gold, silver, and bronze.
- There are 116 total events.
- This will be the first year in “more than a decade” that the NHL will be able to participate in the Olympics.
- 47% of athletes this year are women.
- The official mascots are stoats named Milo and Tina for Milan and Cortina!
Throughout the wins and losses, the Olympic Games always brings remarkable displays of athleticism, and it is important to keep the theme, harmony, in mind, even after the Games end. Thankfully, the excitement won’t be over after the Closing Ceremony on February 22! Don’t forget to check out the Winter Paralympics, which will be starting on March 6th, 2026.
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