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Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Kick Off with Nearly 3,000 Athletes
The 25th Winter Olympics officially begin in Milan-Cortina, Italy, featuring 2,900 athletes from 90 nations competing for 116 medals. Team GB has sent 53 athletes, many with strong medal prospects, as the Games commence two days before the opening ceremony.
Pre-Opening Ceremony Action: Curling and Figure Skating Lead the Way
Competitions start early with the figure skating team event (08:55-13:55 GMT), where the U.S. and Japan are favorites. The event gained notoriety at the last Olympics due to a doping scandal involving Russian skater Kamila Valieva, who was later banned for four years. Russia is barred from team events this year.
In curling, Britain's Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds face Sweden (09:05 GMT) and South Korea (13:35 GMT) in mixed doubles. The Swedish pair, siblings Rasmus and Isabella Wrana, are reigning world champions.
Opening Ceremony: A Dual-City Spectacle
The Games officially launch at 19:00 GMT with an opening ceremony at Milan's San Siro Stadium, featuring performances by Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli. Ceremonies will also take place in Predazzo, Livigno, and Cortina d'Ampezzo, reflecting the Games' spread across northern Italy.
Day 1 Highlights: Five Medals Up for Grabs
Medal events on the first full day include men's downhill skiing (10:30-12:50 GMT), where Switzerland's Marco Odermatt and Franjo von Allmen are top contenders. Other events include women's cross-country skiathlon, speed skating 3000m, ski jumping, and men's snowboard big air.
Britain's Kirsty Muir competes in women's slopestyle qualifying (09:30-11:35 GMT), aiming to improve on her fifth-place finish from Beijing 2022 after recovering from a torn ACL.
Day 2: Lindsey Vonn Returns as Curling Intensifies
Legendary American skier Lindsey Vonn makes her comeback in the women's downhill (10:30-12:50 GMT), six years after retiring. Vonn, a 41-year-old record-holder, faces stiff competition from Switzerland's Federica Brignone and Italy's Sofia Goggia.
In curling, Mouat and Dodds face Canada (09:05 GMT) and the U.S. (13:35 GMT) in back-to-back matches. The U.S. pair, Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse, are reigning world champions.
Team GB's Medal Hopes: Muir, Brookes, and Atkin in Focus
Kirsty Muir (freestyle skiing) and Mia Brookes (snowboarding) are among Britain's brightest prospects. Brookes, 19, aims to become Britain's youngest Winter Olympic medallist in 78 years after winning back-to-back World Cup titles in big air. Zoe Atkin (freestyle skiing halfpipe) also targets a podium finish.
In skeleton, Matt Weston and Marcus Wyatt seek to end Britain's medal drought in the sport, while Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson (ice dance) aim for Britain's first figure skating medal since 1994.
Closing Weekend: Bobsleigh, Curling, and Ice Hockey Finals
The Games conclude with high-stakes finals. Germany's Francesco Friedrich eyes a record fifth bobsleigh gold in the four-man event (09:00-12:20 GMT), while Britain's Brad Hall and Taylor Lawrence aim for a podium finish.
In curling, Team GB's men, led by Bruce Mouat, compete in the gold medal match (18:05-21:20 GMT), hoping to secure Britain's first Olympic title in men's curling since 1924. The women's final (10:05-13:20 GMT) follows, with Rebecca Morrison's team seeking to emulate Eve Muirhead's 2022 gold.
The men's ice hockey final (13:10 GMT) pits traditional powerhouses Canada and the U.S. against each other, with Finland also in contention as reigning champions.
Closing Ceremony: Verona Bids Farewell to Milan-Cortina
The Games conclude at 19:00 GMT with a closing ceremony at Verona's Roman Arena, marking the handover to the French Alps for the 2030 Winter Olympics.
