Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games Begin Today

Today marks the official beginning of the historic Opening Ceremony that will see the Parade of Athletes take place at the Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium, as well as at Olympic venues in Livigno, Predazzo, and Cortina. Unlike previous Opening Ceremonies, where delegations and Flagbearers enter one venue as a staggered group, Milano Cortina will see most athletes parade in the sites closest to where they will compete during the Games.

Several Olympic athletes have Florida ties. Here’s list of Olympic athletes to watch for:

• Brittany Bowe (Ocala): Speed skater, 4th Olympics.
• Erin Jackson (Ocala): Speed skater, 2022 gold medalist.
• Mia Manganello Kilburg (Crestview): Speed skater, 3rd Olympics.
• Joshua Williamson (Sanford): Bobsledder, 2nd Olympics.
• Andrew Torgashev (Coral Springs): Figure skater.
• Quinn Hughes & Jack Hughes (Orlando): Team USA hockey.
• Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers): Team USA hockey.
• Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning): Team USA hockey.
• Nick Page (Hollywood): Freestyle skier.
• Brett Bolton (Rockledge) & Declan Farmer (Tampa): Paralympians (Sled Hockey)

Here’s some interesting facts about the upcoming Games:

Unique Opening Ceremony

As with every edition of the Winter Olympics, the Games are officially launched at the Opening Ceremony and this ceremony is expected to be one of the most exciting in Olympic history. For the first time ever, the ceremony will take place across multiple locations, with the main action located around the Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium.

New Events

Eight new events will feature for the first time at the Games, including:

• Ski mountaineering men’s sprint
• Ski mountaineering women’s sprint
• Ski mountaineering mixed relay
• Skeleton mixed team
• Luge women’s doubles
• Freestyle skiing men’s dual moguls
• Freestyle skiing women’s dual moguls
• Ski jumping women’s large hill individual

Spread-Out Olympic Footprint

Unlike most previous Olympics, the Milano-Cortina Games are the most geographically dispersed in Olympic history. Events span over 22,000 square kilometers across northern Italy — from Milan in the southwest to Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites and even to Alpine towns like Bormio, Livigno, Predazzo, and Anterselva.

Italy’s Winter Olympic Return

Cortina d’Ampezzo previously hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956. The 2026 Games mark a return to this classic alpine town, bringing with it seven decades of winter sports and Olympic legacy.

Five-City Hosting Model

The Games aren’t just in Cortina and Milan — multiple clusters host competitions:

• Milan: ice hockey, figure skating, short-track speed skating
• Cortina d’Ampezzo: women’s alpine skiing, curling, sliding sports
• Bormio: men’s alpine skiing, ski mountaineering
• Livigno: snowboarding, freestyle skiing
• Anterselva: biathlon
• Predazzo & Tesero: Nordic events And Verona — a city famed for its Roman amphitheater — will host the closing ceremony.

Ski Mountaineering Makes Its Olympic Debut

A brand-new sport will be contested at the Olympics: ski mountaineering, a grueling discipline combining uphill skinning with technical downhill skiing. It will include sprint and relay events designed for spectator excitement.

Athletes From Around the World

Approximately 2,900 athletes representing about 90 countries are expected to take part, competing across 116 events in 16 winter sports.

The 2026 U.S. Olympic Team features 232 athletes, including 98 returning Olympians and 33 medalists, highlighting a mix of veteran experience and new talent. Key storylines include seven athletes competing in their fifth games, including Lindsey Vonn and Hilary Knight, the debut of ski mountaineering, and 15-year-old freeskier Abby Winterberger. Freeskier Abby Winterberger is the youngest at 15, while curler Rich Ruohonen competes at age 54. Four sets of siblings are competing: Tara and Tabitha Peterson-Lovick (curling), Matthew and Brady Tkachuk (hockey), Quinn and Jack Hughes (hockey), and Birk and Svea Irving (freeskiing).

Olympic Mascots

• Tina and Milo are named after the host cities, Milano and Cortina. They are described as the first Gen Z mascots, symbolizing agility, resilience, and curiosity. Tina is creative and "dreams big," while Milo is playful and believes "obstacles are trampolines".
• Tina and Milo are accompanied by six little snowdrop flowers named "The Flo" and represent rebirth and resilience.
• The mascots were designed by students at the Istituto Comprensivo of Taverna in Calabria, Italy.

Environmental Controversy

Despite strong sustainability messaging, environmental critics have spotlighted the extensive use of artificial snow with more than 1.6 million cubic meters being produced raising concerns over water and energy consumption in fragile alpine ecosystems.

Historic Olympic Medals Unveiled

The medals for Milano Cortina have distinctive designs and specifications. Across Olympic and Paralympic events combined, a staggering 1,146 medals will be awarded. Each Olympic gold medal includes real gold plated over silver.

Olympic Broadcasting Coverage will occur on NBC, USA, and CNBC, and stream on Peacock and NBC Sports with 2,300+ total hours of coverage highlighting The Winter Games' biggest moments and events.

The Olympic motto Citius – Altius – Fortius (“Faster – Higher – Stronger”) will inspire athletes throughout the Games.

The Torino Olympics remain a shining example of how sport can bring the world together celebrating passion, perseverance, and the magic that happens when nations gather in the true Olympic spirit. Erin Jackson, Olympic gold medalist and one of Team USA’s flag bearers for Milano-Cortina 2026 observed: “The Olympics remind us of the power of sport to connect and inspire, and I’m proud to carry that forward on the Olympic stage.”

For the latest schedule, news and results go to: https://www.olympics.com/en/ol...

Reed Markham, author was an Olympic Torchbearer and member of the International Olympic News Service