2026 Winter Olympics Begin as Curling Opens Competition and Lindsey Vonn Confirms Return Despite Injury

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina have officially moved from anticipation to action, with competitive events beginning ahead of the opening ceremony. Curling opened the sporting calendar on Tuesday, setting the tone for two weeks of competition across northern Italy, while one of the Games’ biggest storylines emerged off the slopes as American ski icon Lindsey Vonn confirmed she will compete despite suffering a ruptured ACL.

With early drama, historic venues, and high profile athletes already making headlines, the Milan Cortina Games are shaping up to be among the most closely followed Winter Olympics in recent memory.

Olympic competition began with mixed doubles curling at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, marking the first medals pathway of the 2026 Games. The venue holds deep Olympic history, having hosted events during the 1956 Cortina Winter Olympics, including the opening and closing ceremonies.

The mixed doubles tournament features 10 teams, each made up of one male and one female athlete, competing in a round robin format. The top four teams will advance to the semifinals, with medal matches scheduled for Tuesday.

Among the early highlights was a high profile matchup between Norway’s Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten and Great Britain’s Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat. Norway enters as the defending Olympic silver medalist, while the British pair finished runners up at the 2025 World Championships.

Team USA’s Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin are set to open their campaign on Wednesday. Thiesse, who balances Olympic training with a career as a laboratory technician, will also compete in the women’s curling event later in the Games.

One of the most emotionally charged stories of the opening days centers on Lindsey Vonn. The 41 year old American skier confirmed she will compete in Milan Cortina despite rupturing the ACL in her left knee during a crash in her final downhill race before the Games.

Speaking from Milan, Vonn said she is doing everything possible to return to racing, a decision that has drawn global attention given the severity of the injury and her age. Her coach, Chris Knight, said the decision was based on stability and how Vonn feels physically rather than a rigid medical timeline.

Knight told NBC News that competing without an ACL at an elite level is rare but not unprecedented. He added that Vonn has shown no swelling or pain and that the team trusts her judgment above all else. Knight said he is fully confident she will be at the starting gate on race day.

Vonn’s determination has already become a defining narrative of the Games, resonating with fans who have followed her career through multiple comebacks and Olympic triumphs.

Alpine skiing training runs also began, with American Ryan Cochran Siegle posting the fastest time in the first men’s downhill training session at Bormio. He completed the course in 1 minute 56.08 seconds, topping a field of the world’s best skiers.

While training runs do not impact medal standings or start order, strong early performances can provide a significant confidence boost ahead of official competition.

Norway, traditionally a powerhouse in Alpine skiing, suffered setbacks after Fredrik Moeller crashed during a downhill training run and was taken to hospital with shoulder pain. The incident followed the earlier withdrawal of Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who was unable to recover fully in time for the Games.

In women’s ice hockey, Finland reported that four players contracted a stomach flu, forcing the cancellation of a training session ahead of their Group A opener against defending champions Canada. Finland is also set to face the United States, Czech Republic, and Switzerland in preliminary play.

Italy is fielding its largest Winter Olympic delegation ever, with 196 athletes competing across disciplines. The milestone surpasses the 184 athletes Italy sent to the Torino Games in 2006, the last time it hosted the Winter Olympics.

Italian athletes have won 141 Winter Olympic medals across history and will be aiming to build on their 17 medal haul from the Beijing Games, which included two golds.

Team USA is also making history with its largest Winter Olympic delegation, totaling 232 athletes. The roster includes 98 returning Olympians, several of whom are multiple time medalists, adding depth and experience to the American contingent.

Beyond competition, Milan Cortina has already delivered notable cultural moments. Snoop Dogg, serving as Team USA’s first honorary coach, arrived in Milan to enthusiastic reactions from athletes. The rapper was also seen carrying the Olympic flame in the Milan metropolitan area, continuing his recent tradition of Olympic torch appearances.

Fans can follow every moment of the Games through comprehensive coverage on Peacock, which is streaming all events live. NBC News is also offering live updates, daily recaps, and interactive features through its Olympics hub and dedicated newsletters.

With curling underway, Alpine training revealing early contenders, and Lindsey Vonn’s comeback attempt capturing global attention, the Milan Cortina Games have begun with a powerful mix of sport, emotion, and history.

As more events get underway ahead of the opening ceremony, the focus will shift to medal battles, national pride, and personal stories of perseverance that define the Olympic spirit. For athletes and fans alike, the first days of the 2026 Winter Olympics have already delivered compelling reasons to stay tuned.