New sports and athletes to watch at the Milano-Cortina Olympics

Eight new events will debut at the 2026 Milano‑Cortina Winter Games, including ski mountaineering’s sprint and mixed‑relay races at the Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio, dual moguls in freestyle, women’s doubles luge, a large‑hill ski‑jump for women, a mixed‑team skeleton, and a team alpine combined. The International Olympic Committee announced the Games will be the most gender‑balanced yet, with women constituting 47 % of athletes, though Nordic combined still excludes women. The Santa Giulia PalaItalia ice‑hockey arena will open on Feb. 5, just before the opening ceremony. NHL players will compete for the first time in twelve years. The opening ceremony will feature torchbearers Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, and singer Mariah Carey.