The world’s attention has turned once again to the snow-capped peaks and vibrant cityscapes of Italy as the 2026 Winter Olympics officially begin. This iteration of the Games, hosted jointly by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, marks a historic return to the heart of the Alps, promising a blend of cutting-edge athleticism and timeless Italian elegance. The festivities are set to ignite on Friday, February 6, with a grand Opening Ceremony staged at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan. Usually the hallowed ground for elite European football, the stadium has been transformed into a theatrical stage to welcome more than 3,500 athletes from across the globe.
The three-hour inaugural event is expected to be a masterclass in spectacle, featuring a high-profile lineup that includes the legendary Mariah Carey, world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli, and Italian actress Sabrina Impacciatore, known to international audiences for her standout role in The White Lotus. For viewers in the United States, the ceremony will be broadcast live on NBC and made available for streaming across Peacock and NBC Olympics platforms starting at 2 p.m. ET, with a traditional primetime re-airing scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
However, the lead-up to the Games has been overshadowed by a somber personal development within the NBC broadcasting family. Savannah Guthrie, who was slated to anchor the network’s coverage of the Opening Ceremony, was forced to withdraw earlier this week. The veteran journalist made the difficult decision to step back to focus on the search for her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who has been reported missing. The situation remains critical, with local authorities recently noting the discovery of DNA evidence as the investigation continues. In her absence, the broadcasting booth will see a shift in personnel; veteran sportscaster Terry Gannon will now be joined by Mary Carillo. Adding an athlete’s perspective to the commentary is three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, who is stepping into a prominent media role following his retirement from competitive snowboarding.
In a statement regarding his new position, White expressed a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility. Having spent decades under the bright lights of the Olympic stage, he noted that returning in this capacity—to celebrate the athletes and the unique energy of Italy—is a profound honor. He emphasized his desire to help the audience at home connect with the "magic" of the moment when the world is watching.
The 2026 Games are unique for their geographical spread, a factor that will be celebrated during the Opening Ceremony with the lighting of two separate Olympic cauldrons. To symbolize the unity between the urban sophistication of Milan and the rugged alpine beauty of Cortina, flames will be ignited at the Arco della Pace in Milan and the Piazza Dibona in Cortina. While the official medal count does not begin until February 7, the competitive spirit is already in the air. Preliminary rounds for high-octane events like ice hockey, figure skating, alpine skiing, and ski jumping have already commenced, setting the stage for the drama to follow.
Among the athletes carrying the hopes of Team USA is Mikaela Shiffrin. At 30, the alpine skiing sensation is entering her fourth Olympics with a complex narrative of resilience. Shiffrin is seeking a measure of redemption following a challenging outing at the 2022 Beijing Games. Her journey to Italy has been further complicated by a harrowing crash in late 2024 that resulted in severe abdominal trauma and required surgery. Shiffrin has been candid about the unpredictability of the sport, acknowledging that even perfect preparation does not guarantee a podium finish. However, she credited her support system—including her fiancé, Norwegian skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde—for helping her maintain a healthy perspective. According to Shiffrin, Kilde’s encouragement has been vital in moments of doubt, reminding her that her best effort is enough, regardless of the outcome.
In another remarkable storyline for the alpine team, 41-year-old Lindsey Vonn has returned to the Olympic fold. Vonn, who retired in 2019 due to chronic knee injuries, found a second wind after undergoing a partial knee replacement that finally left her pain-free. Despite a recent crash in Switzerland that resulted in a ruptured ACL, Vonn has remained steadfast in her commitment to compete in the downhill event in Cortina. She described the "need for speed" as something irreplaceable by business or investing, stating her intention to savor this final rush of adrenaline with her head held high.
The cross-country tracks will see the final Olympic appearance of Jessie Diggins, the most decorated American in the history of the sport. Diggins, 34, is competing with a clear sense of purpose, dedicating her final races to those who lead with love and care for their communities. While she remains a fierce competitor, she has already begun looking forward to a quieter life in Minnesota, citing gardening and time with her husband as her post-retirement priorities.
On the ice, the Americans are looking toward youth and legacy. Twenty-one-year-old Jordan Stolz, who debuted as a teenager in Beijing, is now a favorite to dominate the speed skating events. Stolz appears unfazed by the immense pressure, relying on his experience in high-stakes races to maintain focus. Meanwhile, 500-meter champion Erin Jackson will serve as a flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony alongside bobsledder Frank Del Duca. As the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at a Winter Olympics, Jackson views her role as a vital piece of representation, hoping to inspire a new generation of Black athletes to pursue winter sports.
In the mountains of Cortina, snowboarding superstars Chloe Kim and Red Gerard are also eyeing the podium. Kim, 25, is chasing her third gold medal in the halfpipe despite a recent shoulder injury that limited her training reps. She remains optimistic, noting that athletes often "transform into peak versions" of themselves when the Olympic moment arrives. Gerard, also 25, finds himself in the role of a veteran mentor. Having won gold at 17, he now balances his own competitive drive with the responsibility of offering wisdom to younger teammates, emphasizing the importance of treating the Olympics with the same focus as any other competition.
The freestyle skiing contingent features Alex Ferreira, Alex Hall, and Jaelin Kauf, each with their own unique motivations. Ferreira, a halfpipe specialist, is hunting for his first gold after previous silver and bronze finishes, citing his current health and the emotional support of his rescue dog, Brandy, as key advantages. Hall, the reigning slopestyle gold medalist, has a personal connection to the host nation; his mother is from Bologna, and his extended Italian family will be cheering him on in person. Kauf, a moguls expert, continues a family legacy as the daughter of two world-class mogul skiers, benefiting from a lifelong understanding of the professional skiing circuit.
The sliding sports of bobsled and skeleton offer stories of maternal strength and grit. Kaillie Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor are both competing as mothers, challenging long-held stigmas about professional athletes returning to the podium after childbirth. Humphries, who previously competed for Canada before joining Team USA, is navigating her first Games as a mother, while Meyers Taylor is inspired by her two sons, Nico and Noah, to show that obstacles can be overcome with persistence. In skeleton, Mystique Ro is making her Olympic debut after a decade in the sport. A resident of Lake Placid who works as an Olympic Center tour guide, Ro’s journey from being "terrified" of the sled to becoming a world-class competitor embodies the Olympic spirit of courage.
Figure skating fans will be watching Ilia Malinin, the "Quad God," who remains the only skater to land a quadruple axel in international competition. With Nathan Chen not competing, Malinin carries the mantle for the U.S. men. On the women’s side, Alysa Liu has returned from a brief retirement, stating that she is now skating entirely for herself after years of feeling like a "dress-up doll." In ice dancing, newly married partners Madison Chock and Evan Bates are embarking on their fourth Olympics together, treating the event as a celebration of their 15-year partnership.
Finally, the veteran leadership of Hilary Knight will guide the U.S. women’s hockey team. Knight is set to break the record for the most Olympic appearances by an American hockey player. She is focused on mentoring a roster filled with newcomers, ensuring they are prepared for the elite level of play required to secure gold. Off the ice, Knight shares her life with fellow Olympian Brittany Bowe, creating a powerhouse support system that reflects the dedication required to remain at the pinnacle of sport. As these athletes take to the ice and snow, the 2026 Winter Olympics promise to be a tapestry of personal triumphs, cultural celebration, and the enduring pursuit of excellence.
