The wait is over. The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have officially launched today, Wednesday, February 4, bringing the world's elite winter athletes back to the global stage. While the Opening Ceremony is still 48 hours away, the roar of competition has already begun echoing through the Italian Dolomites. The first stones of the mixed doubles curling tournament have been thrown at the historic Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio in Cortina d'Ampezzo, marking the start of what promises to be a spectacular dual-city Games.

First Stones and Alpine Action Kick Off the 2026 Games

Competition began in earnest this morning with the Men's Downhill first official training run in Bormio, giving speed specialists their first taste of the icy Stelvio course. However, the marquee event of this "Day -2" is the start of the mixed doubles curling round-robin stage. At 7:05 PM local time (1:05 PM ET), four matchups took to the ice, officially initiating the medal hunt.

Reigning Olympic silver medalists Norway (Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten) are facing Great Britain in a clash of heavyweights, while Sweden takes on South Korea. Elsewhere on the sheet, Canada battles the Czech Republic, and Estonia faces Switzerland. These early Milano Cortina 2026 results will set the tone for the round-robin phase, where momentum is everything.

Historic Venue Returns to the Spotlight

The choice of venue adds a layer of nostalgia to today's action. The Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio was the centerpiece of the 1956 Winter Games—the first ever held in Italy. Now, 70 years later, it has been revitalized to host the live Olympic curling events, blending mid-century alpine charm with state-of-the-art ice technology. For the athletes, stepping onto this ice is a walk through history.

Team USA Winter Olympics Preview: 'Korey and Cory' Ready to Launch

American fans eager to see Team USA Winter Olympics athletes in action won't have to wait long. The U.S. mixed doubles duo of Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin—affectionately dubbed "Korey and Cory"—are set to make their debut in Draw 2 early Thursday morning. The pair, who claimed the 2023 World Championship title, enter the tournament as serious medal contenders.

They will face a stern test in their opener against Norway, a team with deep Olympic experience. A win here would be a massive statement for the U.S. program, which is looking to recapture the magic of the 2018 gold medal run (in men's team) and improve on previous mixed doubles performances.

2026 Winter Games Opening Day: What to Expect Next

While the focus is currently on the ice in Cortina and the slopes of Bormio, the energy is building in Milan for the formal kickoff. The 2026 Winter Games opening day ceremony is scheduled for Friday, February 6, at the iconic San Siro Stadium. This marks a unique logistical feat: it is the first time an Opening Ceremony will be held in a different city than the Closing Ceremony (which will be at the Verona Arena).

Before the torch is lit, however, the Winter Olympics schedule is packed with preliminary action. Thursday will see continued curling draws and further training runs for luge and alpine skiing. Fans tracking the Milano Cortina 2026 results should expect rapid-fire updates as the round-robin format intensifies.

How to Watch: Olympics Streaming Live

For viewers in the United States, NBCUniversal is providing comprehensive coverage. You can catch Olympics streaming live on Peacock, which is broadcasting every event, including all 116 medal contests. NBC will also air daytime and primetime coverage, featuring the popular "Gold Zone" whip-around show that proved a hit during Paris 2024.

With a six-hour time difference between Italy and the U.S. East Coast, many live events will air in the morning hours for American viewers, making streaming on-demand a crucial tool for following your favorite sports. Whether you are tuning in for the strategy of curling or the raw speed of the downhill, the 2026 Games are officially underway.