Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics: New Photos and Big Spread

The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are using special cameras like thermal ones and old film cameras to take pictures. The Games are happening in many places across northern Italy, making them the biggest spread out Olympics ever.
By Newsroom | Sports, Italy |

A Spectacle Across Italy's Landscape

The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are unfolding as a grand exhibition of athletic prowess and unique visual storytelling. Photographers are employing innovative techniques, including thermal imaging and vintage cameras, to capture the essence of winter sports. The Games themselves are a geographically expansive event, stretching across numerous venues in northern Italy, a notable characteristic that influences the logistical and visual narrative of the competition. Athletes are engaged in a variety of disciplines, from the intense speed of skiing and skating to the intricate artistry of figure skating and the strategic plays of hockey and curling.

Photos show athletes as a blur of motion at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics - 1

The Scope of the Games

The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place from February 6 to February 22, 2026. This event is notable for its extensive geographic distribution, with venues spread across approximately 8,500 square miles in northern Italy, encompassing cities like Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, as well as towns such as Livigno, Predazzo, and Anterselva. This broad spread marks it as the most geographically dispersed Olympics in history. Approximately 2,900 athletes are expected to compete, representing over 90 National Olympic Committees. They will participate in 116 events across eight sports and 16 disciplines, including the debut of ski mountaineering. The opening ceremony itself was a multi-venue affair, linking Milan, Cortina, Livigno, and Predazzo to create a cohesive narrative.

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Visual Storytelling in Motion

Photographers are pushing creative boundaries to document the Milan Cortina Games.

Photos show athletes as a blur of motion at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics - 3

  • Thermal Imaging: Some photographers are utilizing compact thermal cameras to reveal the invisible forces at play in winter sports. This technology allows the athlete's body to be visualized through heat and energy, showcasing temperature extremes and movement in a unique way.

  • Vintage Techniques: In a series named ‘Back to the Future,’ photographers are employing vintage Graflex cameras, echoing the technology used when Milan Cortina last hosted the Winter Games. This approach aims to connect the present event with its historical context.

  • Focus on the Mundane and Iconic: The Milano Cortina photo series emphasizes capturing not only the peak athletic moments but also the quieter, everyday actions of athletes before and during iconic events. This dual focus seeks to convey the fundamental role of photography in preserving moments.

Diverse Athletic Pursuits

The Games showcase a wide array of winter sports, each demanding different skills and exhibiting unique visual characteristics.

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  • Speed and Precision: Sports like freestyle skiing, snowboarding (including big air and slopestyle), short track speed skating, and alpine skiing highlight the blending of speed, showmanship, and endurance. Athletes like Tess Johnson (USA, women's freestyle skiing), Oliver Martin (USA, snowboard big air), Alex Hall (USA, freeski slopestyle), Eileen Gu (Team China, freestyle skiing), and Ilia Malinin (USA, figure skating) are among those capturing attention.

  • Artistry and Aggression: The indoor events present a different dynamic. Figure skating demands artistry, while ice hockey embodies aggression. Curling, too, offers its own unique appeal, as seen with the mixed doubles competition beginning even before the opening ceremony. Anastasiia Metelkina and her partner achieved second place in the team skating pairs event for Georgia.

  • Endurance and Strategy: Biathlon, which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, requires significant endurance and mental fortitude. Sturla Holm Lægreid of Norway won a bronze medal in the Men’s 20km Individual Biathlon, sharing an emotional moment with the Games mascot.

Opening Ceremony: A Sprawling Debut

The opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Games was a departure from tradition, embracing a geographically dispersed format.

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  • Multi-Venue Approach: Instead of a single focal point, the ceremony was effectively conducted across multiple live venues simultaneously, including Milan, Cortina, Livigno, and Predazzo. This approach aimed to create a narrative that spanned a large portion of the host country.

  • Geographic Narrative: The placement of athletes in different locations—ice athletes in Milan, freestyle and snowboard athletes in Livigno, Nordic athletes in Predazzo, and sliding and biathlon athletes in Cortina—was a key element in shaping the ceremony's function and presentation.

  • Key Moments: The ceremony featured the entry of the Italian contingent at San Siro Stadium in Milan, a smaller event at the Livigno Snow Park, and the lighting of the Olympic torch in Cortina by Goggia. Team Greece also participated in the athlete parade.

Documenting the Games: Established News Organizations

Several prominent news agencies are providing extensive photographic coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, ensuring a comprehensive visual record.

Read More: Italian TV Commentator Makes Mistakes During Olympics Opening, Journalists Protest

  • The Associated Press (AP): Known for its commitment to factual reporting, the AP is delivering photo highlights from various days of the Games. Their coverage includes specific moments like Corinne Stoddard (USA) in short track speed skating and Ryusei Yamada (Japan) during snowboarding practice.

  • The New York Times (NYT): The NYT is offering curated photo collections of the Games, including highlights from the opening ceremony and daily events. They also provide live updates, detailing the schedule and results.

  • The Guardian: This publication is also presenting photo galleries of the opening ceremony and the initial days of competition, focusing on the visual spectacle and joyous celebrations.

  • Olympics.com: The official website of the Olympic Games provides official photo highlights and video content, offering an in-depth look at the events and athletes.

Emerging Themes and Challenges

Beyond the athletic performances, certain themes and issues are surfacing around the Games.

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  • Geographic Dispersal and Logistics: The unprecedented spread of venues presents unique logistical challenges and opportunities for coverage, requiring a different approach to capturing the entirety of the Olympic experience.

  • Athlete Activism: There are instances of athletes using their platform for personal or political expression. For example, Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych intends to wear a helmet commemorating fallen Ukrainian athletes, asserting a commitment to peace and sport while acknowledging the ongoing conflict.

  • IOC Presidency: The Games are taking place under the presidency of Kirsty Coventry, who has expressed a focus on sport and avoiding political entanglements, though athlete actions can challenge this separation.

  • Ethics Violations: Reports indicate that individuals associated with the Norway men's team faced ethics violation charges due to alleged equipment manipulation, specifically related to suit stitching intended for aerodynamic advantage.

Conclusion

The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are characterized by their innovative visual documentation, extensive geographic scope, and the diverse athletic achievements on display. The photographers' use of thermal imaging and vintage cameras adds layers of interpretation to the spectacle of winter sports. The multi-venue opening ceremony set a precedent for the Games' unique footprint across Italy. As the competitions progress, the narrative continues to unfold, capturing both the intensity of athletic performance and the broader contexts surrounding the global event, including moments of athlete expression and discussions on ethical conduct.

Sources

  • Olympics.com: Provides official news, schedules, results, and video content for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. It details venues, participating athletes, and event information.

  • Link: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026

  • Link: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/videos

  • Link: https://www.olympics.com/ioc/milano-cortina-2026

  • NBC New York: Offers photographic highlights of gravity-defying moments from the Milan Cortina Games.

  • Link: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/olympics/2026-milan-cortina/photos-gravity-defying-moments-milan-cortina-winter-olympics/6457518/

  • The New York Times: Features photo galleries and live updates on the Winter Olympics, including the opening ceremony and daily events.

  • Link: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/02/09/world/olympics/winter-olympics-milano-cortina-photos.html

  • Link: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/winter-olympics-2026-milano-cortina-opening-ceremony-live-updates/b8dmQx7GIrRm/

  • Link: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7028320/2026/02/07/winter-olympics-opening-ceremonies-photos-milan-cortina/

  • Link: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/winter-olympics-2026-milano-cortina-live-updates-day-four-schedule-events-scores-results/jk6wv0H7wzyr/

  • The Guardian: Presents photo essays and live blogs covering the opening ceremony and key moments of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

  • Link: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/feb/06/intimate-and-enormous-milano-cortina-opening-ceremony-winter-olympics-2026

  • Link: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2026/feb/07/milano-cortina-winter-olympics-opening-ceremony-in-pictures

  • Link: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2026/feb/07/milan-cortina-winter-olympics-2026-day-one-in-pictures

  • Link: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/feb/06/winter-olympics-2026-milano-cortina-opening-ceremony-action

  • BBC Sport: Offers a collection of best photos from the Milan-Cortina Games.

  • Link: https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c78v857elp9o

  • Associated Press (AP): Provides photo galleries detailing daily highlights from the Milan Cortina Winter Games.

  • Link: https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/milan-cortina-olympic-24bc075757d8b5430030fd1e848b8eb5

  • Link: https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/milan-olympics-photos-gallery-day-4-8794ac072cb8c671a4c14b257c32e014

  • WBUR: Reports on the geographic spread of the Milan Cortina Olympics and the locations of its venues.

  • Link: https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/02/10/map-milan-cortina-olympics-venues-italy

  • Wikipedia: Offers a comprehensive overview of the 2026 Winter Olympics, including event details, host cities, and historical context.

  • Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Winter_Olympics

  • aNewz.tv: Provides photo highlights from the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, covering speed, skill, and celebration.

  • Link: https://anewz.tv/world/sport/17978/milano-cortina-2026-winter-olympics-photo-highlights/news

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics?
The Games are from February 6 to February 22, 2026.
Q: Where are the Olympics happening?
They are spread across many places in northern Italy, like Milan and Cortina.
Q: What is special about the photos?
Photographers are using new thermal cameras and old vintage cameras to capture the action.
Q: How many athletes are expected?
About 2,900 athletes from over 90 countries are expected to compete.