By Nathan Andres & Zoe Litchford

The tradition of the Olympic games was documented almost 3,000 years ago in ancient Greece and was held in the Sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia, where physical exercise and competition were enormously important. Greek athletes prepared in gymnasiums with specialized trainers. 

According to Paul Christesen, a professor of Ancient Greek History at Dartmouth College, the Ancient Olympic Games were a religious festival to honor the Greek polytheistic Gods, where it was held in a religious sanctuary in Olympia from 776 BCE to 550 BCE. The Ancient Olympic Games were banned in 393 CE by the Roman emperor Theodosius in order to promote christianity as the games were seen as a pagan festival intertwined with Zeus.  

The Renaissance sparked interest in Greek Culture in Europe. Additionally, in the 18 – 19th centuries some nations hosted informal sporting and folkloric festivals with the “Olympic Games” title. 

However, it was not until 1892, when young French Baron Pierre de Coubertin proposed reviving the Olympics as a major international competition occurring every 4 years. The first modern Olympic games were held in Athens in 1896. The Winter Olympics were held after the first truly successful Olympic games were held in Paris in 1924.

This year, Italy will be hosting its 3rd winter games following Turin in 2006 and the 1956 Cortina d’Ampezzo games. Italy has never missed an Olympic Games, nor Olympic Winter Games, and has competed since 1896 – 2024. Italy has won a total of 758 Olympic medals and 258 gold medals in many sports, and has been the dominant country in cycling and fencing. Additionally, in the Winter Olympic Games, they have won 141 Olympic medals and 442 gold medals.

This year there will be 8 sports (Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Curling, Ice Hockey, Luge, Skating, Skiing, Ski Mountaineering), 16 disciplines competing in Milian with 8 new or modified events to a total of 116 medal events. 

Skiing is the sport with the most events, 57, including in disciplines Alpine Skiing, Freestyle Skiing, Snowboard, Cross-Country Skiing, Nordic Combined, and Ski Jumping. The new sport added to the Olympic program this year is Ski mountaineering, a sport in which competitors race to ascend and descend a mount slope, on and off skis! A big change for men’s Ice hockey this year is that NHL players are allowed to compete in the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014. 

A quick overview of the schedule for the first week of events (February 4-7)

Wednesday, February 4th, sees the first official men’s training for Alpine Skiing and Lunge while the first four rounds of Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 1 kicks off for curling.

Thursday, February 5th, has more training sessions for men and women in Alpine Skiing, Lunge, and Ski Jump, while snowboard hosts 3 mens big air qualifications runs. Curling has ten more Mixed Doubles Round Robin sessions while Ice Hockey opens up with four women’s preliminary rounds.

Friday, February 6th, has the official opening ceremony. It also kicks off figure skating with three team events first programs. Alpine Skiing, Lunge, and Ski Jump have more training sessions and Ice hockey and Curling continue their opening events.

Saturday, February 7th, hosts the first medal events of the Olympics with women’s speed skating 3000m, Men’s snowboarding Big Air Final, Men’s downhill alpine skiing, and Women’s NH Individual ski jump.Fun facts

Tina & Milo, the stoat and the official mascots of Milano Cortina 2026. Their names are inspired by the host cities. They won a public poll and were created by students of the Istituo Compresivo di Teverna

Fun facts

• Most widespread olympics in history
• 2900 total athletes with 1538 men and 1362 women
• Tina & Milo, the stoat and the official mascots of Milano Cortina 2026. Their names are inspired by the host cities. They won a public poll and were created by students of the Istituo Compresivo di Teverna.