Winter Olympics 2026 kicks off in Italy

[MiniElliot]

The Winter Olympics officially began in Milan and Cortina, bringing global attention back to winter sports with new events and strong competition. It's one of those events that cuts through everything else and reminds you how big sport still is worldwide.

A complete guide to the Winter Olympics 2026 in Milan-Cortinawww.aljazeera.com

[QuantumDay]

Olympics always feel bigger than sport

[SilverRider]

It's one of the few truly global moments left

[Kieran88]

Even people who don't watch sport tune in

[FrostBear]

Come on the Luge

[Craig]

Really like that take on it. I find these conversations more useful than reading reviews

[RustyHawk]

Okay that makes more sense than what I had in my head. That is actually one of the clearer ways I have seen it explained.

Going to look that up properly

[CodyRhodes99]

Okay that makes more sense than what I had in my head. That is actually one of the clearer ways I have seen it explained. Going to look that

I had been looking at it the wrong way I think. Every time I think I understand it something else changes the picture slightly.

Worth reading more about this

[Outlaw]

Turned out alright in the end doing it that way. Turned out alright when I did it.

Injuries change the whole calculation and people do not factor them in enough

[Luca76]

That is pretty much what I took from it too. From what I have seen the gap between headlines and reality is still pretty wide.

Worth watching closely.

The difference between the top sides at this level is smaller than the league table makes it look.

[QubitZero]

From what I have seen the gap between headlines and reality is still pretty wide. Worth watching closely.

Injuries change the whole calculation and people do not factor them in enough

[MickFoley00]

That is one way of looking at it. Every time without fail.

A lot of advice gets repeated because it sounds right rather than because people really tested it.

Cheers.

The difference between the top sides at this level is smaller than the league table makes it look

[HollowSentinel]

I always forget how quickly the Winter Olympics sneak up on you

One minute you are watching qualification events, next thing the torch is lit and everyone is suddenly a curling expert

I am just here for the weird sports I only ever see once every four years

[Plateau65]

Winter Olympics in Italy felt ike one of those events where the scenery is half the spectacle

Milan and Cortina are such different vibes that it was almost like two separate Games stitched together

Still, it is hard not to get excited when opening ceremonies start rolling in