The modern Olympic Games as we know it began in 1896, taking place in Athens, Greece. Specifically, it was the Summer Olympics, featuring varieties of track and field, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, shooting, swimming, tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling. In 1924, the first Winter Olympics were held, featuring varieties of bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, skiing, and skating. Now, the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics included over 300 events in 32 sports, while the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics will have over 100 events in 16 sports.
This year’s Winter Olympics will take place in less than a month, from February 4th to February 22, located in various locations across northern Italy. Milan will host the ice events and Cortina d’Ampezzo will host mountain events.
Ski mountaineering (skimo) will be included for the first time in this Winter Olympics. Competitors will climb uphill, switch equipment, then ski downhill. There will be a men’s sprint, a women’s sprint, and a mixed relay.
Figure skating is the Winter Olympics sport that consistently receives the most views in America. There is much anticipation for the performances of numerous established and upcoming stars, including Ilia Malinin (USA), Nika Egadze (GEO), Matteo Rizzo (ITA), Amber Glenn (USA), Alysa Liu (USA), Isabeau Levito (USA), Aoki Yuna (JPN), and Chiba Mone (JPN).
The opening ceremony will be on Friday, February 6th at 2pm ET and the closing ceremony will be on Sunday, February 22 at 2pm ET.
