The 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina are officially underway, and the first medals are set to be awarded today, . Following yesterday’s opening ceremony, competition heats up across multiple disciplines, with athletes vying for early glory in the Italian Alps and Lombardy region.
Today’s schedule features events in curling, alpine skiing, and figure skating. Curling competitions will take place at the Olympic Ice Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo, while the men’s downhill ski race is scheduled for the Stelvio slope in Bormio. Later in the evening, the figure skating team event’s free dance competition will be held at the Mediolanum Forum in Assago, near Milan.
The men’s downhill ski race is poised to be a highlight, with the first Olympic medals of the Games on the line. Seventeen French athletes are expected to participate in today’s events, either in qualifying rounds or the finals.
Coverage of the Games will be available on France 2 and Eurosport. For those following from elsewhere, streaming options are available through Peacock, offering comprehensive coverage of every event. NBC will also provide extensive coverage, with seasoned host Mike Tirico leading the broadcast team, alongside contributions from Snoop Dogg.
A compelling storyline emerging early in the Games centers around Lindsey Vonn. The 41-year-old skiing icon underwent a second downhill training run today, just one week after rupturing the ACL in her left knee. Vonn completed the run with a brace and posted a time of 1:38.28, placing her third-fastest among the 21 competitors who finished before the run was interrupted due to weather. Her determination to compete at this stage in her career is already capturing attention.
American teammate Breezy Johnson posted the fastest time during the training run, signaling strong potential for the U.S. Team in the downhill event. The interruption due to weather suggests conditions on the Stelvio slope are challenging, potentially impacting the final results.
Beyond the downhill, the figure skating team event continues to draw interest. Ilia Malinin, dubbed the “Quad God” for his mastery of quadruple jumps, is expected to make his Olympic debut today. His performance will be closely watched as he aims to contribute to a strong showing for the United States in the team competition.
The U.S. Women’s hockey team is also in action today, facing Finland. The Finnish team’s preparation has been disrupted by a norovirus outbreak, adding an element of uncertainty to the matchup. The game will be a key test for both teams as they begin their pursuit of a medal.
The opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games took place on , officially launching the XXV Olympic Winter Games. The ceremony featured performances and athlete introductions, setting the stage for the two weeks of competition ahead.
Swiss skiier Franjo von Allmen secured the first medal of the Games this morning, winning gold in an unspecified event. Medals will also be awarded today in women’s 10km and 10km skiathlon, women’s normal hill ski jumping, men’s snowboard Big Air, and women’s 3,000-meter speed skating, promising a busy day of medal presentations.
Fans can stay up-to-date with the latest news, results, and schedules through NBC’s Olympics hub and by signing up for NBC News’ The Sports Desk newsletter. An AI chatbot, OLI, is also available to provide information and answer questions about the Games.
As the Games progress, the focus will undoubtedly shift to the athletes and their stories. The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics offer a platform for showcasing athletic excellence, national pride, and the spirit of competition. The early events are setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling two weeks of winter sports action.
