2026 Winter Olympics: Top Events and Athletes to Watch

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina are underway. Today features exciting events like the women's downhill ski race and snowboarding. Many athletes are competing, including Lindsey Vonn who is racing despite an injury. You can watch many events live online for free in some countries.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina are underway, with early medal events showcasing notable performances and drawing attention to athlete narratives. Significant focus has been placed on the women's downhill ski race, particularly the participation of American veteran Lindsey Vonn, who is competing despite a reported anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Other prominent events include parallel giant slalom snowboarding, biathlon, and speed skating. The games are being broadcast across various platforms globally, with options for free streaming in several countries.

Winter Olympics 2026: Women’s downhill, snowboarding, luge, speed skating and more – live - 1

Schedule Highlights and Key Competitions

The Olympic schedule is a carefully curated sequence of events, with February 8th marking a particularly dense day for medal competitions. The early hours of February 8th saw the women's downhill alpine skiing, followed by men's cross-country skiing, and the biathlon mixed relay. Snowboarding events, including parallel giant slalom for both men and women, are also featured prominently. Speed skating and luge events are taking place concurrently, offering a broad spectrum of winter sports action.

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Winter Olympics 2026: Women’s downhill, snowboarding, luge, speed skating and more – live - 2

  • February 8th Medal Events:

  • Alpine Skiing: Women's Downhill (5:30 am ET)

  • Cross-Country Skiing: Men's 10km + 10km Skiathlon (6:30 am ET)

  • Biathlon: Mixed Relay (8:05 am ET)

  • Snowboarding: Women's and Men's Parallel Giant Slalom (8:26 am ET)

  • Speed Skating: Men's 5,000m (10 am ET)

  • Luge: Men's Singles (12:34 pm ET)

  • Figure Skating: Team Event (3:55 pm ET)

The games span from February 6th to February 22nd, encompassing a wide array of disciplines such as ice hockey, curling, figure skating, freestyle skiing, and ski jumping. New events like ski mountaineering, skeleton mixed team, and various freestyle skiing and snowboard disciplines have been introduced, expanding the competitive landscape.

Winter Olympics 2026: Women’s downhill, snowboarding, luge, speed skating and more – live - 3

Lindsey Vonn's Downhill Campaign

American skier Lindsey Vonn has become a focal point of early Olympic coverage due to her participation in the women's downhill event while managing a significant knee injury. Reports indicate she is skiing on a damaged ACL, a condition that would typically preclude such a demanding sport. Despite this, Vonn has reportedly completed practice runs and is slated to compete. Her performance is being closely watched, with questions arising about her ability to contend for a medal under these circumstances.

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Winter Olympics 2026: Women’s downhill, snowboarding, luge, speed skating and more – live - 4

  • Vonn's Status:

  • Competing in the women's downhill.

  • Reported ACL injury.

  • Continued participation despite physical challenge.

Snowboarding and Other Key Disciplines

The snowboarding events are a significant component of the Winter Olympics, with parallel giant slalom featuring prominently on February 8th. Both men's and women's competitions are scheduled, including elimination runs, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals throughout the day. Biathlon, a sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, is also holding mixed relay events. Speed skating, particularly the men's 5,000m race, and luge, with the men's singles competition, are further examples of the diverse events drawing international attention.

  • The schedule indicates a full slate of snowboarding competitions, including parallel giant slalom.

  • Biathlon events are structured to test athletes' endurance and precision under pressure.

  • Speed skating and luge are among the other disciplines featuring medal events on February 8th.

Broadcast and Accessibility

Global coverage of the Winter Olympics is being provided through various broadcasters and streaming services. In countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and Ireland, free live streams are available via platforms such as BBC iPlayer, CBC Gem, and 9Now. For viewers in the United States, Peacock is a primary streaming option. The use of VPN services is suggested for accessing coverage in certain regions, a common practice for international sporting events.

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  • Free Streaming Options:

  • UK: BBC iPlayer

  • Canada: CBC Gem

  • Australia: 9Now

  • Ireland: Available via BBC iPlayer

  • Paid Streaming Options:

  • USA: Peacock

  • Global Broadcasters: Include Warner Bros Discovery (across Europe, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, UK), Nine (Australia), CBC/Bell Media/Rogers Media (Canada), NBC Olympics (USA), and others in various territories.

Venue Information

The games are being hosted across several purpose-built and adapted venues within Milan and Cortina. Key locations include the Milano Ice Skating Arena, Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, and the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre. Each venue is designated for specific sports, ensuring the proper infrastructure for each discipline.

Expert and Media Commentary

Media reports highlight the anticipation surrounding specific athletes and events. The "Queen of Speed" crown in women's downhill alpine skiing is framed as a key narrative, with Lindsey Vonn and Sofia Goggia identified as central figures. Commentary also touches upon the competitive spirit and the dramatic elements of the games, such as Vonn's injured status. The introduction of new sports like ski mountaineering adds an evolving dimension to the Winter Olympics program.

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  • Athlete Narratives: Lindsey Vonn's injury and competitive drive are a significant talking point.

  • Event Anticipation: The women's downhill is highlighted as a marquee event.

  • Event Evolution: The inclusion of new sports broadens the scope of the Winter Games.

Sources

Read More: Matt Weston Leads Skeleton Race, Close to Olympic Gold

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are the 2026 Winter Olympics?
The games started on February 6th and will end on February 22nd, 2026.
Q: What are some main events?
Key events include women's downhill skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, and speed skating.
Q: Can I watch the Olympics for free?
Yes, in some countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia, you can watch live streams for free.
Q: Is Lindsey Vonn competing?
Yes, American skier Lindsey Vonn is competing in the women's downhill event even though she has a knee injury.