The 2026 Winter Olympics will begin on February 6th at Milan’s iconic San Siro Stadium, followed by the Paralympics in March. For the first time in Olympic history, the Winter Games will be co-hosted by two cities in Northern Italy, including Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
This 25th edition of the Winter Olympics will host events in Italy’s Dolomite Mountains and major Metropolitan Hubs, and promises to be historic and visually stunning. The 116 medal events with the most history of the Winter Olympics will be contested in 16 Olympic areas, featuring 3,500 athletes from 93 countries.
American athletes to watch
Lindsay Von Eye is one of the final shots of glory
Lindsey Bonn, 40, is attempting one of the most notable comebacks in Winter Olympics history. After resigning in 2019 due to injuries, the 2010 Olympic gold medalist underwent knee replacement last year. She was relieved of the pain for the first time this season and returned to competitive skiing.
Vonn, the only American woman to win Downhill Olympic Gold, is looking to make her fifth Olympics appearance. She showed a flash of glow this season, including a fourth-place finish at Super-G. Once she qualifies, Bonn becomes the oldest American alpine skier in Olympic history.
Ilia Marinin: The rise of the “quad god”
20-year-old Ilia Marinin, known as the “Quad God,” is set to dominate male figure skating in Milan. The two-time realistic world champion made history as the first skater to land a quadruple layer axel in the competition. Known for his unparalleled jump-pre-partry, he was recently the first to perform all six quad jumps in one program.
After a slight missed the 2022 Olympic team, Marinin became prominent, winning eight consecutive competitions. Once he scores gold, he will become the second American to win Men’s Singles Gold in his Olympic debut, following the 1948 victory of Dick Button.
Chloe Kim returns to the halfpipe
Two-time Olympic half-pipe champion Chloe Kim is chasing three consecutive gold medals. After taking a vacation following his 2018 and 2022 victory, Kim reestablished the sport’s advantage. She was the first woman to land a 1260 in the race, and reportedly nailed the 1440.
Now Kim embraces a more relaxed approach to competition. “I just wanted to do some tricks that felt good,” she said recently. With her 2024 and 2025 X-game victory, she is ready to match Sean White’s three Olympic half-pipe gold records.
Jordan Stoltz: A budding speed skating star
Called “Straljager” (Dutch for “Fighter Jet”), 20-year-old Jordan Stoltz is revolutionizing long-track speed skating. Inspired by Apollo Ono’s Olympic victory, the Wisconsin native is currently a two-time governing world champion in 500m, 1,000m and 1,500m events.
Stolz’s advantage includes breaking the 1,000m world record and winning 18 consecutive World Cup races. He became the second American to win three gold medals at one Winter Olympics, following Eric Heiden’s legendary performance in 1980.
Jesse Diggins is hoping for money again
Cross-country ski legend Jesse Diggins is heading for her fourth Olympics. Best known for his gold medal finish at the 2018 Team Sprint, Diggins boasts Olympic medals in all colours and multiple world titles.
After overcoming personal challenges, including fighting eating disorders, Diggins continues to inspire both in and out of the snow. She has the opportunity to become the first American to win individual cross-country gold in Milan.
Challenges and iconic venues
Most Olympic venues rely on existing infrastructure, but Cortina d’Ampezzo’s bobsled, luge and skeleton track have undergone extensive renovations. The 100-year-old sliding center has been rebuilt for $90 million, with 180 workers competing to meet the International Olympic Committee (IOC) certification deadline in March.
If the venue is not ready, these events could transition to the Olympic Sports Complex in Lake Placid, New York.
To reduce costs, most events take place at existing venues, including the Parasport Arena in Milan and the famous Dolomite in Cortina. Audiences can expect breathtaking scenery, including snow-covered mountain peaks in northeastern Italy, making Milan Cortina 2026 a visual sight.
