MILAN: Anticipation is high across Italy as athletes arrive from around the world ahead of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are set to officially open this week. More than 3,000 athletes from 92 countries will compete in 116 medal competitions, making the Games one of the largest Winter Games in history.

Organisers confirmed that venues across Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and surrounding regions are in their final stages of preparation, with security, transport and athlete accommodations fully operational. New disciplines such as ski mountaineering are expected to draw fresh interest, while traditional events like ice hockey and alpine skiing remain major attractions. Norway enters the tournament as medal favourites, but is expected to face major challenges from hosts Germany, the United States and Italy.

With sustainability and regional integration at the heart of its planning, the games are widely recognised as key moment in the modern Olympic Games .