Milan Cortina Olympics Kick Off with High-Stakes Men's Downhill
The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics officially commence on Saturday, with the men's downhill in Alpine skiing serving as the first medal event of the Games. This high-speed spectacle will unfold at the Stelvio Ski Center in Bormio, setting the tone for a day packed with world-class athletic performances across multiple disciplines.
Alpine Skiing: A Crowded Field of Contenders
Swiss teammates Marco Odermatt and world champion Franjo von Allmen are widely regarded as top favorites for the podium in the men's downhill. However, the competition is exceptionally fierce, with a long list of elite skiers vying for Olympic glory on the challenging Bormio course.
The home crowd will passionately support Italian veteran Dominik Paris, who is competing in his fifth Olympic Games yet still seeks his first medal. The 36-year-old is a specialist on this slope, having secured a record six World Cup downhill victories at Bormio. Young Italian talent Giovanni Franzoni also adds to the national hopes.
On the American front, Ryan Cochran-Siegle demonstrated strong form by posting the fastest time in the opening downhill training session on Wednesday. Competing in his third Winter Olympics, Cochran-Siegle brings experience and momentum, having won a silver medal in the super-G at the Beijing 2022 Games.
The men's downhill is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. local time (0930 GMT, 4:30 a.m. ET), weather permitting.
Figure Skating: Ilia Malinin Aims for Gold
In figure skating, two-time reigning world champion Ilia Malinin takes the ice as the overwhelming favorite to claim Olympic gold. The American star will perform his short program as part of the team event, where the defending champion United States currently leads Japan and Italy heading into Day 2 of the three-day competition.
Additionally, the U.S. ice dance team of Madison Chock and Evan Bates, the three-time defending world champions, are expected to return for the free dance after winning the rhythm dance portion on Friday.
The figure skating team event is scheduled to begin at 6:45 p.m. local time (1745 GMT, 12:45 p.m. ET) in Milan.
Cross-Country Skiing: Jessie Diggins' Final Olympic Campaign
American cross-country skiing legend Jessie Diggins, a 34-year-old Minnesota native, aims to add to her impressive Olympic medal collection before retiring at the season's end. Already possessing a gold, silver, and bronze from three previous Games, Diggins will compete in the demanding 20-kilometer skiathlon on Saturday.
This event is held in the picturesque Val di Fiemme valley in the heart of the Dolomites and is scheduled to start at noon local time (1100 GMT, 6 a.m. ET). Notably, medals for the skiathlon could be awarded before the men's downhill concludes.
Additional Medal Events and Team Competitions
Saturday's Olympic program features a diverse array of other medal events, ensuring non-stop action for viewers worldwide:
- Ski jumping: Women's normal hill individual
- Snowboard: Men's snowboard big air
- Speedskating: Women's 3000 meters
In women's hockey, preliminary rounds are already underway. The United States team opened its campaign with a decisive 5-1 victory over Czechia on Thursday. Next, the Americans face Finland in a match scheduled for 3:40 p.m. local time (1440 GMT, 9:40 a.m. ET) in Milan.
Other notable women's hockey games on Saturday include:
- Switzerland vs. Canada
- Sweden vs. Italy
- Germany vs. Japan
The Milan Cortina Olympics promise an exhilarating start, blending established champions with rising stars across snow and ice disciplines.
