What Is the Winter Olympics? A Simple Guide to the 2026 Milano Cortina Games

The Winter Olympics 2026 in Milano Cortina, Italy is one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year. This guide explains what the Winter Olympics is, its history, and what to watch in the 2026 edition.

What Are the Winter Olympics?

Have you ever watched athletes slide down an icy hill at super speed, or spin around gracefully on a frozen surface? If so, you have seen some of the most exciting sports in the world — and they all come together every four years at a special event called the Winter Olympics!

The Winter Olympics is a huge sports competition where athletes from countries all over the world come together to compete in sports played on snow and ice. It is one of the biggest and most-watched events on the entire planet. Right now in February 2026, the world is buzzing because the 2026 Winter Olympics — officially called the Milano Cortina 2026 Games — are happening in Italy!

Where and When Are the 2026 Winter Olympics?

The 2026 Winter Olympics are being held in Italy, in two beautiful locations: the city of Milan (a big, famous city known for fashion and food) and Cortina d’Ampezzo (a snowy mountain town in the Italian Alps). The Games officially started on February 6, 2026, and will run for about two and a half weeks.

Italy is a wonderful place to host the Winter Olympics because it has tall, snowy mountains perfect for skiing and snowboarding, as well as large indoor arenas for ice sports. This is actually the second time Italy has hosted the Winter Games — the first time was in Turin back in 2006. How cool is that?

What Sports Are in the Winter Olympics?

The Winter Olympics includes many different sports. Here are some of the most popular ones that people love to watch:

• Ice Hockey: Two teams try to hit a puck into each other’s goal using sticks on an ice rink. It is fast, exciting, and very popular! In 2026, this is one of the most searched sports on Google.
• Figure Skating: Athletes glide across the ice and perform jumps, spins, and artistic routines. It looks like dancing on ice! Google searches for “Olympic figure skating schedule” have been trending worldwide.
• Alpine Skiing: Athletes race down steep snowy mountains at incredibly fast speeds — sometimes over 100 km/h!
• Snowboarding: Riders perform tricks and race down snowy slopes on a single board. Think of it like skateboarding, but on snow!
• Speed Skating: Athletes in tight suits race each other around an oval ice track as fast as they can.
• Curling: Teams slide a heavy stone across the ice toward a target, and teammates use special brooms to help steer it. It is a bit like a bowling game on ice!
• Biathlon: Athletes ski across a long course and then stop to shoot targets with a rifle. It tests both physical fitness and concentration.
• Bobsled and Luge: Teams or individuals ride down a twisting icy track in a small sled at very high speeds. It is one of the most thrilling events to watch!

How Does the Olympics Work?

The Olympics is organized by a group called the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Athletes from countries around the world are selected to represent their home country. Each athlete trains for years — sometimes their whole lives — to become good enough to compete.

In each event, the top three athletes or teams win medals. The gold medal goes to first place (the best!), the silver medal goes to second place, and the bronze medal goes to third place. Countries keep track of how many medals their athletes win, and this is called the “medal count.”

Why Do People Love the Winter Olympics?

People all over the world love the Winter Olympics for many reasons. First, it brings countries together. Even if two countries have disagreements, their athletes compete side by side in a spirit of friendship and respect. That is a really powerful and beautiful thing.

Second, the sports are incredibly exciting to watch. Imagine seeing a skier fly down a mountain at full speed, or watching a figure skater land a perfect triple jump. These athletes are among the best in the world at what they do, and watching them compete is truly amazing.

Third, the Olympics inspires people — especially young people — to try new sports and work hard toward their goals. Many Olympic athletes started out just like you, as curious kids who loved playing in the snow!

Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics

The United States always sends a talented team to the Winter Olympics. In 2026, Team USA is competing strongly in ice hockey, figure skating, snowboarding, and skiing. According to Google Trends, search interest in “Team USA ice hockey” and “ice hockey players” reached a 10-year high in February 2026, showing just how much excitement there is around the American team.

Athletes like figure skaters, speed skaters, and freestyle skiers are representing the United States and competing for gold. Every performance is watched by millions of fans tuning in from home.

Fun Facts About the Winter Olympics

• The first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France, in 1924 — over 100 years ago!
• The Olympic flag has five rings in five different colors, representing the five continents of the world.
• The Olympic flame is lit in Greece and then carried by runners (called “torchbearers”) all the way to the host city before the Games begin.
• The Olympic motto is “Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together.”
• Winter sports like skiing and ice skating were popular long before the modern Olympics, with roots going back hundreds of years in Scandinavia and Central Asia.
• More than 90 countries participate in the Winter Olympics today.

How Can You Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics?

You can watch the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on TV through your country’s official broadcaster. In the United States, NBC and Peacock are the official broadcasters. Many events are also streamed online, so you can catch the action on a phone, tablet, or computer.

You can also use Google Search to find schedules, results, and medal counts in real time. Just search for the sport or athlete you are interested in, and Google will show you all the latest updates. It is a great way to follow along even if you cannot watch every event live!

Why the Winter Olympics Matter

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina is more than just a sports competition. It is a celebration of human ability, determination, and the power of coming together. Athletes have trained for years, sometimes through injury, setbacks, and sacrifice, all for the chance to compete on the world’s biggest stage.

For young fans watching at home, the Olympics is also a chance to discover a new favorite sport or athlete. Who knows — maybe one of the competitors you cheer for in 2026 will inspire you to lace up your skates or strap on a snowboard for the very first time!

Whether you are a longtime fan or watching the Winter Olympics for the first time, the 2026 Milano Cortina Games are sure to be full of unforgettable moments. Let the Games begin!