Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Early Highlights, New Sports, and Stars to Watch

The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are officially underway as of February 7, 2026, bringing the world’s best winter athletes to Italy for two weeks of elite competition, unforgettable moments, and historic firsts.

Hosted across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, these Games feature 8 sports and 16 disciplines, blending tradition with innovation. Classic events like Alpine skiing, ice hockey, speed skating, and curling share the spotlight with the Olympic debut of Ski Mountaineering, a fast-growing endurance sport making its long-awaited arrival.

Early Medal Highlights

Competition wasted no time heating up.

• Skiathlon saw Switzerland take gold, with Sweden sweeping the top two spots.
• Italy thrilled the home crowd by capturing gold in the Women’s 3000m Speed Skating, igniting national pride early in the Games.

Team USA Off to a Strong Start

The U.S. women’s hockey team opened Olympic play with a dominant 5-0 victory over Finland. Finland entered the tournament facing challenges due to a norovirus outbreak, but Team USA capitalized immediately, sending a clear message to the rest of the field.

Star Power and Storylines

All eyes are on Ilia Malinin, the American figure skater nicknamed the “Quad God,” who is expected to make his Olympic debut in Milano Cortina. His arrival adds major excitement to an already stacked figure skating field.

Another major storyline involves athletes from Russia and Belarus, who are competing under neutral status as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), following updated Olympic eligibility rules.

The Bigger Picture

Approximately 86 national delegations are expected to compete, with Norway entering the Games as the all-time Winter Olympic medal leader. With events spanning snow, ice, speed, and precision, Milano Cortina 2026 promises drama, history, and unforgettable performances.

Fans can follow all the action through NBC Olympics and Olympics.com as the Games continue across Italy over the next two weeks.

One thing is certain—Milano Cortina 2026 is just getting started, and the world is watching.