The Olympics really are like the original viral sensation.
Once upon a time, this might have related to seasonal flu; however, the Games occur every two or four years, captivating our interest in sports and popular culture.
One minute you’re just living life and then suddenly, you’re trying to master every sophisticated maneuver in figure skating or strategizing in curling. Half an hour later, you might find yourself deep into a rabbit hole of an athlete’s social media feed.
Well, here we are again.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina kicks off this week, with the opening ceremony taking place at the iconic San Siro Stadium on Friday.
The U.S. team is coming off a fifth-place finish in medals from 2022 and is eager to improve on that this time.
Let’s look ahead at some of the big stories that will unfold over the next couple of weeks as the competition for winter gold heats up.
Queens of the Slope
This story has been shaping up to be quite dramatic.
After a five-year break and knee surgery, skiing great Lindsey Vonn seemed poised to make her mark once again in women’s downhill at 41. But last week, disaster struck during her final conditioning race—she crashed and tore her ACL.
Still, she’s determined to compete. “I wish I wasn’t in this position, but this is the position I’m in and I’m going to do the best I can,” she expressed during an emotional press conference.
That injury has likely crushed her hopes for a podium finish, yet miraculous comebacks do happen at the Winter Olympics.
Meanwhile, another American skiing star is making a comeback.
Mikaela Shiffrin, 30, holds the title of the most accomplished female skier ever, but her Olympic history has been rocky. At the 2022 Games, she faced multiple disqualifications and failed to secure medals in six events, all while cameras captured her struggles. To add to that, in 2024, she suffered a potentially career-ending stab wound to her abdomen.
Now, she’s conquered the slalom and seems ready to reclaim her top spot, with another gold medal within reach.
At Quad We Trust
The most buzzworthy name in Milan is certainly a certain figure skating talent.
21-year-old American Ilya Marinin, nicknamed the “Quad God,” has an impressive knack for executing quadruple jumps that others can only aspire to perform.
While the men’s singles competition may not seem as tense—his scoring makes him a contender regardless of falls—he’s definitely a reason to watch.
And he’s not the only American skater to keep an eye on. Team USA is full of inspiring stories.
Maxim Naumov managed to qualify for the men’s team a year after a tragic plane crash killed his parents and others in the skating community. The women’s team includes 20-year-old Alisa Liu, who returned to the sport two years after retiring and won last year’s world championship. There’s also 26-year-old artist Amber Glenn, the oldest competitor in almost a century, and 18-year-old Isabeau Levito, who has plenty of charisma.
Pack and Roll
This year, NHL players return to the men’s hockey tournament for the first time since 2014, leading to heightened expectations.
Remember the thrilling finals of 2010? Canada edged out the U.S. thanks to Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal. The big question now—can Team USA, under coach Mike Sullivan, pull off a similar win?
The rivalry between the U.S. and Canada is also front and center in the women’s tournament. Both nations have dominated, with Canada leading the medal count, but Hilary Knight’s U.S. squad has had some recent successes in head-to-head matchups.
There’s also been chatter about hockey venues. The Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena’s construction faced delays, raising doubts about its completion, but it seems like everything will work out.
Cold War Continues
Due to sanctions from its invasion of Ukraine, Russia won’t have teams participating in the Olympics. Still, some Russian athletes are allowed to compete as neutral individuals.
Geopolitical tensions are making their way into sports too, with U.S. ICE agents headed to Italy for security reasons, particularly during games like the U.S.-Denmark men’s hockey qualifier, humorously dubbed the “Greenland Bowl.”
For Deception
Now, let’s talk sports scandals.
Things got heated when Canada adjusted its roster to block American skeleton racer Katie Uhlaender from qualifying for a fifth time in a pre-Olympic event. Not great optics.
A comedy of errors surfaced in men’s ski jumping when secret footage revealed cheating by Norway. They allegedly manipulated the stitching of suits to enhance aerodynamics. Coaches involved have been suspended, though the jumper in question has resumed competing.
Speed Thrill
Experts are calling this the strongest U.S. long track speed skating team in years.
One standout is Jordan Stoltz, a 21-year-old from Wisconsin, who’s known for racing in multiple distances.
Erin Jackson is back to defend her 500m gold, joining experienced competitor Brittany Bowe.
Repeat Performers
A shout-out to the incredible athletes donning Team USA colors.
Just 25, Chloe Kim is in pursuit of her third consecutive snowboarding halfpipe title—good luck stopping her.
Cross-country star Jesse Diggins is participating in her final Olympics at 34, looking to medal in multiple events.
Then there’s Elana Myers Taylor, 41, returning to pilot the women’s bobsled for another shot at adding to her medal collection. Kylie Humphries, 40, is also back as the defending monobob champion. Both are mothers, adding another layer to their stories.
Mountain Topper
There’s one new event this Olympics.
Ski mountaineering, often called “skimo,” involves athletes climbing a mountain on skis and then racing back down after a pit stop to pack their gear. It’s a fascinating mix of endurance and speed.
