The 2026 winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo are officially underway, with competition beginning Wednesday ahead of the February 6th opening ceremony. These Games mark Italy’s fourth time hosting a Winter Olympics, and will showcase 116 medal events across a range of snow and ice disciplines [[3]]. Below is a look at key developments from day -2, including anticipation surrounding the lighting of the Olympic flame and preparations for the arrival of international dignitaries.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo are officially underway, kicking off with the start of mixed curling round-robin play.
Here’s a recap of the key moments from day -2 of the games, which began on Wednesday, February 4th.
Follow along with minute-by-minute updates from day -2 of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
Olympics Milan 2026: Follow the Olympic Games Minute by Minute (Online)
11:25 AM: Skiing Legends to Light the Olympic Flame
Italian skiing icons Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni are expected to have the honor of lighting the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, according to a report in Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Italian Olympic Committee has not yet confirmed the information, stating that a final decision on who will ignite the flame will be made at the last moment.
Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Tomba will light the flame at the Arco della Pace in Milan as festivities reach their peak at the San Siro stadium.
Simultaneously, Compagnoni is slated to ignite the flame on Piazza Dibona in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the other main hub for the games.
11:10 AM: Hurajt to Receive Silver Medal in Milan
Slovakia will celebrate at least one medal win during the Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The Slovak Olympic and Sports Committee (SOŠV) announced that former biathlete Pavol Hurajt will finally receive his silver medal from the 2010 Vancouver Games after a sixteen-year wait.
The ceremony is scheduled for February 15th during the biathlon competitions in Anterselve.
11:00 AM: President Pellegrini Travels to Milan
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini will travel to Milan on Friday to attend the opening of the Slovak Olympic House and the Czech Olympic House alongside Czech President Petr Pavel.
He will also support Slovak athletes during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, which will take place at the San Siro stadium, according to a statement from the President’s Office.
10:15 AM: Athletes Undergo Doping Controls
More than 90% of the athletes competing at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games have been tested for prohibited substances at least once before the start of the event, the International Testing Agency (ITA) announced on Tuesday.
Approximately 2,800 athletes from over 90 countries will compete in the games, which begin on Friday.
“The International Testing Agency (ITA) has closed the pre-Games anti-doping program for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and confirms that at least 92% of athletes have undergone at least one doping control before the Games,” the agency stated.
7:00 AM: Today’s Schedule for Slovak Athletes
No Slovak athletes will be in action on today’s opening day (-2). Rebeka Jančová and Katarína Šrobová will be the first Slovaks to take to the slopes, with a downhill training run scheduled for February 5th.
Complete Schedule for Slovak Athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics
7:00 AM: Olympic Schedule
The first competitions of the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will begin two days before the opening ceremony, with the first four round-robin matches in mixed curling.
