2026 Winter Olympics: Team GB Hopefuls, New Sports, and Mariah Carey Highlights
The 2026 Winter Olympics are set to take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. These Olympics will feature approximately 3,000 athletes from 90 countries competing from February 6 to February 22, with preliminary events starting on February 4.
Event Schedule and Venues
A total of 116 events across eight sports will occur over 19 days. The competitions will utilize 15 venues, with indoor events primarily held in Milan, a vibrant financial hub. Cortina d’Ampezzo, which last hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956, will host snow and sliding events.
Key Venues Include:
- Anterselva: Anterselva Biathlon Arena (Biathlon)
- Bormio: Stelvio Ski Centre (Alpine skiing, ski mountaineering)
- Cortina d’Ampezzo: Curling Olympic Stadium (Curling)
- Milan: Milano Ice Skating Arena (Figure skating, short track speed skating)
- Predazzo: Ski Jumping Stadium (Ski jumping, Nordic combined)
- Milano: Speed Skating Stadium (Speed skating)
- Livigno: Aerials & Moguls Park (Freestyle skiing)
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
The opening ceremony will commence on February 6 at San Siro Stadium, featuring performances by Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli. This spectacle will include broadcasts from locations such as Livigno and Predazzo. The closing ceremony is set for February 22 at Verona Arena.
New Sports and Events
This Olympics introduces ski mountaineering, also known as skimo. This sport involves uphill climbing and downhill skiing, including sprint races and mixed relays. Moreover, eight new events will debut, including:
- Mixed team skeleton
- Women’s doubles luge
- Women’s large hill ski jumping
- Men’s and women’s dual moguls in freestyle skiing
- Team combined in alpine skiing
Team GB’s Aspirations
Team GB will feature 53 athletes, aiming to surpass their previous record of five medals from the 2014 and 2018 Olympics. Notable contenders include:
- Matt Weston: Two-time world champion in skeleton
- Marcus Wyatt: Third in the world rankings
- Bruce Mouat: Mixed curling captain
- Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson: Ice dance partnership aiming for a medal
Olympic Mascots
The mascots for the 2026 Winter Olympics are Milo and Tina, representing the host cities. They were designed by students and chosen through a public vote.
Protests and Security Concerns
In late January, protests erupted in Milan against the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during the games. The U.S. State Department announced security measures, which have raised concerns in Italy following recent events involving ICE operations.
The atmosphere in Milan and Cortina is vibrant as the countdown to the Winter Olympics continues. Fans around the globe are eager to witness the thrilling competitions and notable performances designed to make history.
