Europe Shines in the Opening Weekend of Competition

9 February

The opening weekend of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games has seen Europe take centre stage with impressive performances. Italy stood out in alpine skiing and figure skating, while Norway continued to dominate in biathlon and cross-country skiing. Other European nations, including Germany, Austria, France, and Switzerland, also secured podium finishes in snowboarding, curling, and ski jumping, highlighting the continent’s depth of talent.

This strong start not only demonstrates the high level of preparation among European athletes but also sets the tone for an exciting and fiercely contested Games in the days ahead, with fans eagerly anticipating more thrilling performances and medal-winning moments.

Europe Delivers Standout Performances at Milano-Cortina 2026 as Olympic Records Fall

12 February

Since Monday, the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games have produced a thrilling run of competitions, with European athletes shining across multiple sports and records tumbling on the world stage.

One of the most remarkable moments came in speed skating earlier in the week, when Dutch star Jutta Leerdam etched her name into Olympic history. Competing in the women’s 1,000 metres, Leerdam delivered a breathtaking performance to win gold and set a new Olympic record of 1:12.31 — a time that surpassed the previous mark and underscored her status among the sport’s elite. The Netherlands enjoyed a commanding presence in the event, with teammate Femke Kok taking silver.

Italy continued to delight the home crowd with outstanding results. Speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida claimed her second gold medal of the Games by winning the women’s 5,000 metres on Thursday, narrowly edging out Dutch competitor Merel Conijn in a close finish that electrified the Milan Ice Stadium.

On the slopes, Federica Brignone made headlines, overcoming serious injury earlier in her career to capture gold in the women’s Alpine skiing super-G in Cortina, adding another inspiring chapter to her Olympic journey.

The action extended beyond individual disciplines. In alpine skiing, Swiss skier Franjo Von Allmen continued his dominant run by winning the men’s super-G, becoming one of the few athletes to claim multiple titles in a single Games, while Norway’s cross-country and freestyle teams also picked up multiple gold medals across events — a testament to the depth of European winter sport tradition.

From speed skating records to dramatic ski runs and strong team performances, this first stretch of competition at Milano-Cortina 2026 has kept fans on the edge of their seats. With many more medals still to be decided, the stage is set for further European success and unforgettable Olympic moments in the days ahead.