WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES MILAN CORTINA 2026

Games for Croatia's return to the Olympic podiums The year 2026 in sports will be marked by two exceptional events - the Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, and the football World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. However, before the summer thrills, which may cause sleep deprivation to football fans due to time zone differences, the winter spectacle in the north of Italy arrives already in early February, from the neighborhood, so to speak, and therefore in sync with the local time. More than 3,500 athletes from 93 countries will compete for medals in 16 Olympic sports, followed by six Paralympic sports. Of course, the most attractive competitions will be in alpine skiing and Nordic skiing disciplines, and traditionally - in ice hockey. Ski mountaineering is the only sport that will make its debut at the Winter Olympic Games Milan Cortina 2026. The basic tenet of ski mountaineering is that athletes can take turns skiing or hiking during races, and the main two disciplines are men's and women's sprints. However, in accordance with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the trend that is increasingly present among Olympic disciplines, a mixed relay competition will also take place in this new Olympic sport. In addition, new competitions in established sports will premiere at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. These are: female duo in sledding, mixed team discipline in skeleton, men's and women's dual moguls in freestyle skiing and team combined in alpine skiing. Croatia will have about fifteen representatives in its 10th Winter Olympics appearance since independence, likely in six sports: alpine skiing, biathlon, short track speed skating, cross-country skiing, snowboarding and figure skating. However, there is always an opportunity for a bobsled crew to qualify for the Games, which, as a rule, strengthens the Olympic team with five members. After the Games in PyeongChang in 2018 and Beijing in 2022, at which the fantastic series of medals won by the members of the legendary Kostelić family was stopped, Croatia is finally competitive in Milan and Cortina for the winning podiums. The main spotlight will be on the ski racers Zrinka Ljutić and Filip Zubčić. A total of 15 venues will host sports competitions at the Winter Olympic Games from 6 to 22 February 2026 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, and the opening ceremony will be held at the San Siro Olympic Stadium in Milan, while the closing ceremony will be held at the Olympic Arena in Verona. Vinko Knežević, Head of Public Relations and Spokesperson, Croatian Olympic Committee