********** HOME ********** Welcome to the 2026 Winter Olympics! The Olympics are held every 2 years alternating between Summer and Winter events. This year, there are Winter Olympics and they are being held in Italy. They run through most of the month of February, beginning February 4 (although the opening ceremony is 2 days later on February 6) and concluding on February 22. The Olympics are the largest international, multi-sport events in the world! Skiers, snowboarders, skaters, bobsledders, and many other winter sport athletes are getting ready to compete in these Olympic games. They will strive to break records, defeat opponents, and win medals not only for their own accolades but also for their home countries. This year, for the first time in 12 years, NHL hockey players are given a break in their regular schedule to participate in the Olympics hockey. The 2026 Winter Olympics are being hosted in Italy, primarily in the regions of Cortina d'Ampezzo and Milan. The last time Italy hosted the Olympics was 20 years ago in 2006! For this year's Olympics, Sweden was a contender hoping to host the games, but they lost the bid to Italy when it was voted on in 2019. Read more about the 2026 Winter Olympics as you navigate though this website! If you have any questions, contact us at olympics@uwo.ca. ********** SPORTS ********** Ice Sports Alpine, Freestyle, and Snowboarding Nordic Sports New and Unique *** Ice Sports *** Bobsleigh Teams race down an icy track in a gravity-powered sled, navigating sharp turns at high speeds. Events include two-man, two-woman, four-man, and women's monobob. Luge Athletes lie on their backs on small sleds, racing feet-first down a frozen track. Precision and speed are key, with singles, doubles, and mixed relay events. Skeleton Competitors slide head-first on a small sled down an ice track. It's one of the most thrilling and dangerous Olympic sports. Ice Hockey Two teams compete to score goals by hitting a puck into the opponent's net using sticks. It's fast-paced and highly physical, with men's and women's tournaments. Figure Skating Skaters perform choreographed routines on ice, combining athletic jumps and spins with artistic expression. Events include singles, pairs, ice dance, and team competitions. Speed Skating Athletes race around a long oval ice track, aiming for the fastest time. Distances range from 500m to 10,000m, including team pursuit and mass start formats. Short Track Speed Skating Skaters race on a smaller rink in tight packs, often leading to dramatic overtakes and crashes. Events include individual distances and team relays. Curling Teams slide stones across ice toward a target area, using brooms to control speed and direction. Strategy and precision make it a unique winter sport. *** Alpine, Freestyle, and Snowboarding *** Alpine Skiing Skiers race down steep, twisting courses at high speeds. Events include downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super-G, and combined formats. Freestyle Skiing Athletes perform aerial tricks and navigate moguls or terrain parks. Events include aerials, moguls, ski cross, halfpipe, and slopestyle. Snowboarding Snowboarders compete in events like halfpipe, slopestyle, big air, and snowboard cross. It blends speed, style, and technical skill. *** Nordic Sports *** Biathlon Combining cross-country skiing with rifle shooting, athletes must balance endurance with precision. Events include individual, sprint, pursuit, mass start, and relays. Cross-Country Skiing Athletes race across snowy terrain using classical or freestyle techniques. Events include sprints, pursuits, and long-distance races. Ski Jumping Skiers launch off ramps and soar through the air, judged on distance and style. The 2026 Games will feature women's large hill for the first time. Nordic Combined A mix of ski jumping and cross-country skiing, this sport tests both explosive power and endurance. Athletes compete in individual and team formats. *** New and Unique *** Ski Mountaineering (SkiMo) Making its Olympic debut, SkiMo involves climbing and descending snowy mountains using specialized gear. Events include individual races, sprints, and mixed relays. ********** CANADIAN ATHLETES ********** The 3 Canadian athletes I'm most excited to watch are: <<>> <<>> <<>> ********** NEWS ********** AI and other technology advancements for Olympic broadcast https://www.olympics.com/ioc/milano-cortina-2026-broadcasting Hockey arena construction cutting it close to start of Olympics https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/07/sport/olympics-2026-hockey-arena-delays Snoop Dogg named honorary coach of Team USA at Olympics https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/snoop-dogg-team-usa-2026-winter-olympics-honorary-coach ********** REFERENCES ********** <<>>