Winter Olympics to kick off in Milan this week

By Yoo Na-hyun Posted : February 3, 2026, 17:01 Updated : February 3, 2026, 17:41
An Olympics-themed structure is being installed in Milan, Italy on Feb. 2, 2026. Yonhap
SEOUL, February 3 (AJP) - This year's Winter Olympics will kick off in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Milan later this week, bringing together around 3,500 athletes from over 90 countries to compete for 116 medals across 16 disciplines.

The opening ceremony of the quadrennial sporting event is slated for Friday in Milan, marking a return to the European country for the first time in about two decades since the 2006 Turin Games.

Italy has opted to use existing venues rather than build new ones, aiming to reduce both environmental impact and construction costs. However athletes may face some inconvenience as they will need to travel between multiple sites during the two-week-long Olympics, which run until Feb. 22.

South Korea will field 71 athletes in snowboarding, bobsleigh, speed skating, short-track skating, and figure skating.
 
An Olympics-themed structure is being installed in Milan, Italy on Feb. 2, 2026. Yonhap
An Olympics-themed structure is being installed in Milan, Italy on Feb. 2, 2026. Yonhap
Electronics giant Samsung's promotional ad is displayed on a giant billboard in Milan, Italy on Feb. 2, 2026. Yonhap
Pedestrians take a selfie in front of an Olympics-themed installation in Milan, Italy on Feb. 2, 2026. Yonhap

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