MILAN, ITALY — The Winter Olympics 2026 have officially begun, and the wait is finally over. The flame has been lit and the world is watching. In a spectacular display of Italian culture and athletic pride the games kicked off in style.
For the first time in history two cities are sharing the hosting duties but all eyes today were on Milan. The iconic San Siro Stadium usually home to soccer giants AC Milan and Inter was transformed into a glittering stage for an Opening Ceremony that will be remembered for decades.
As the sun set over Italy the atmosphere inside the stadium was electric. But for American fans watching back home the moment of the night came when Team USA emerged from the tunnel. Led by speedskater Erin Jackson and bobsledder Frank Del Duca the American delegation walked out to a roaring ovation marking the start of what experts predict could be a record breaking medal haul.
The Team USA Flag Bearers
The choice of flag bearers this year sends a powerful message.
Erin Jackson who made history in 2022 as the first Black woman to win an individual Winter Olympic gold medal was beaming as she waved the Stars and Stripes. Walking beside her was Frank Del Duca a bobsled pilot and active duty U.S. Army soldier whose family has deep Italian roots.
For Del Duca carrying the flag in the country of his ancestors was an emotional milestone.
As reported by NBC Olympics in their team coverage the selection of Del Duca was a nod to the shared heritage between the two nations while Jackson represents the pure competitive spirit of the American squad.
The American team is the largest delegation at these games with over 230 athletes ready to compete in everything from alpine skiing to the new ski mountaineering events.
A Ceremony of Harmony And Star Power
The theme of the night was “Armonia” or Harmony and the Italians did not disappoint.
The show moved away from the high tech drones of previous years and focused on art and music. Global superstar Mariah Carey stunned the crowd with a performance that bridged the gap between pop culture and Olympic tradition while legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli brought the stadium to tears with a moving rendition of the Italian anthem.
But the most unique part of these games is the geography. While the party was happening in Milan simultaneous celebrations were taking place miles away in the snowy peaks of Cortina d’Ampezzo. For the first time ever two separate Olympic cauldrons were lit at the same time symbolizing the unity between the city and the mountains.
The Shadow Over The Broadcast
While the mood inside the stadium was celebratory there was a somber tone for the millions watching on NBC.
Veteran broadcaster Mary Carillo stepped in to co-host the Opening Ceremony coverage replacing Savannah Guthrie who remains in the United States dealing with a personal family crisis involving the disappearance of her mother Nancy Guthrie.
Carillo delivered a professional and poignant performance acknowledging the difficult circumstances while keeping the focus on the athletes who have trained their whole lives for this moment. It was a reminder that even amidst the global spectacle real life continues to happen.
Lindsey Vonn’s Miraculous Return
One of the biggest stories developing in the background of the ceremony is the status of ski legend Lindsey Vonn.
Just days after suffering a scary crash that resulted in a torn ACL Vonn has defied medical logic and announced she will attempt to compete. She was seen walking with the team tonight wearing a heavy brace but smiling broadly.
According to reports from The Guardian’s Winter Olympics section Vonn has released workout videos showing her training on the injured knee stating that she is “not done fighting” for a final Olympic moment.
Her determination has become a rallying cry for the entire US roster. If she manages to push out of the starting gate later this week it will go down as one of the grittiest performances in sports history.
The Return of the NHL
While the pageantry is beautiful the real buzz among sports fans is about the hockey.
For the first time since 2014 the National Hockey League has allowed its players to return to the Olympics. This means Team USA is stacked with genuine superstars. Players like Auston Matthews and Jack Hughes are finally wearing the USA jersey on the biggest stage.
The excitement is palpable. Fans have been waiting 12 years to see the best against the best. The rivalry between Team USA and Team Canada is expected to be the headline story of the next two weeks with the gold medal game already being touted as a potential “Game of the Century.”
The Business of Gold
These games are also a massive economic engine. The “Milan-Cortina” model is being watched closely by future host cities. By using existing stadiums like San Siro instead of building new ones Italy is trying to prove that the Olympics can be sustainable.
This connects to the broader global economic shifts we are seeing right now. Just as we reported on the massive SpaceX xAI Merger creating new value in the tech sector the sports world is finding new ways to monetize live events without bankrupting the host nation.
Sponsorship revenue for these games has hit record highs with luxury Italian brands like Armani designing the uniforms and major American tech firms buying up ad space for the broadcasts.
What To Watch This Weekend
As the Winter Olympics 2026 continue this weekend, the action starts immediately.
While the Opening Ceremony is the party the competition heats up tomorrow. American fans should keep an eye on the alpine skiing events where Mikaela Shiffrin is looking to add to her legendary medal count.
NBC has promised wall to wall coverage and with the time difference many prime time events in Italy will air live in the morning for US viewers giving fans a reason to wake up early.
The network is deploying more cameras than ever before including new “athlete point of view” technology that will put viewers right onto the ski slopes alongside the racers.
The Final Word
The flame is lit. The athletes are ready. For the next 16 days the world can take a break from politics and stock markets to watch the purity of human competition.
Team USA has arrived in Milan with a swagger and a smile. Whether it is on the ice rink or the ski jump the message from the American camp is clear. They are not just here to march. They are here to win.