Milano-Cortina 2026: The Winter Olympics Have Officially Begun
The 2026 Winter Olympics have officially kicked off in Italy, with Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo hosting one of the most anticipated sporting events in the world. The opening ceremony took place on February 6, while the first competitions had already begun on February 4. Athletes from across the globe are now competing on ice and snow for Olympic glory.
The United States leads the participation list with 232 athletes, making it the largest delegation at the Games. The competitions will conclude on February 22 with the men’s ice hockey final and the women’s curling final, followed by the closing ceremony. In total, 116 medal ceremonies will be held throughout the event.
Technology plays a major role in this year’s Olympics. For the first time, drones will be used extensively across many competitions. Artificial intelligence will also enhance broadcasting by combining footage from multiple cameras to deliver immersive 360-degree replays for viewers, significantly improving the overall viewing experience.
Record female participation
Since the first Winter Olympics in 1924, female representation has grown dramatically. Back then, only 11 women competed alongside approximately 275 men. In 2026, around 1,300 female athletes are participating, marking a historic milestone.
Out of 116 medal events, 50 will be in women’s categories — a record. Additionally, 12 medals will be awarded in mixed-gender events. Women will compete in 53.4% of all events, and in 12 out of 16 disciplines, the number of male and female athletes will be equal. For the first time in history, the International Olympic Committee is also led by a woman, Kirsty Coventry.
NHL stars return
One of the biggest highlights is the return of NHL players to Olympic ice hockey after a 12-year absence. Scheduling conflicts kept them out in 2018, and the 2022 Games were heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Their return in 2026 boosts the overall quality and competitiveness of the tournament.
While the United States may benefit from the return of NHL stars, the advantage extends to many other countries, including Canada and several European nations with players in the league.
A distributed Olympic model
Cortina d’Ampezzo becomes only the fourth location to host the Winter Olympics for a second time. However, the scale of the 2026 Games is far greater than previous editions. With significantly more athletes and events, the competitions are spread across multiple cities and regions, including Milan.
Organizers have emphasized sustainability, choosing to rely on existing venues rather than building new facilities wherever possible. This approach aims to reduce environmental impact while maintaining high standards for competition.
Medal race and host ambitions
The list of athletes with the most Winter Olympic gold medals has remained unchanged since 2018, topped by three Norwegian legends with eight gold medals each. However, several athletes could challenge that record this year.
Germany’s luge duo Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt hope to add more gold medals to their tally, while Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo is considered a strong contender after a dominant performance at last year’s World Championships.
Host nation Italy is aiming for at least 19 medals, close to its all-time record of 20 set in 1994. Despite injuries affecting some key athletes, Italy still has several strong medal prospects. Meanwhile, short-track legend Arianna Fontana hopes to extend her remarkable Olympic streak by winning yet another medal.
With technological innovation, record-breaking female participation, and a strong focus on sustainability, Milano-Cortina 2026 promises to be a defining chapter in Winter Olympics history.
