The Olympic logo for the 2026 winter games in Milan. (Image: https://www.sportspro.com/features/infrastructure/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics-venues-sliding-budget-ioc-member-exclusive/)
The Winter Olympics are already underway in Milan Cortina, Italy and attracting the attention of fans around the world. The Winter Olympics, held every four years, offer a unique opportunity for countries to send their best athletes to represent their nation in a series of competitions. Beyond instilling a reinvigorated sense of national pride, it also gives fans an opportunity to act as spectators to some of their favorite sports.
The United States, in particular, takes the Olympics very seriously. Athletes train for years, accumulating countless national titles, in hopes that they will one day qualify for the games. The United States is a frontrunner when it comes to accumulating the greatest number of Olympic medals, but often faces tough competition from nations such as China, Germany and Canada.
This year, no different than previous Olympic games, the U.S. is sending some of their best athletes. However, attention has been drawn to a few athletes and teams that viewers will want to keep their eyes on. One of the most notable is record-breaking ice skater Ilia Malinin, a frontrunner to take home gold. Famous for landing the elusive quadruple axel in competition, he has earned the nickname the Quad God. Another favorite is three-time Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn. Although she was recently injured during a training session, it is not stopping the downhill skier from making a fifth appearance at the winter games. American snowboarder Chloe Kim is also in contention for a medal. After winning gold in the previous two games, she is looking for a third in Milan.
These athletes, and many others, will take the stage over the next few weeks, vying for gold against the best competitors the world has to offer. As many of us busy ourselves with work at the start of the semester, the Olympics offer a great opportunity to get together with friends and cheer on our favorite athletes.