The 25th Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina are poised to captivate global audiences with nearly 3,000 athletes from 90 nations competing across 116 medal events. Team GB arrives with a contingent of 53 athletes demonstrating significant podium potential across multiple disciplines.
The sporting action commences prior to the official opening ceremony, featuring early competitions in curling’s mixed doubles event. British duo Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds, childhood friends and 2021 world champions, seek redemption after their narrow bronze medal miss at the 2022 Games. Their campaign begins against Norwegian rivals Magnus Nedregotten and Kristin Skaslien, who defeated them in the previous Olympic semifinals.
Snowboarding’s big air qualification showcases athletic evolution, with competitors attempting increasingly complex aerial maneuvers. Japan’s Hiroto Ogiwara recently landed the sport’s first-ever 2340 mute grab (6½ rotations) at the 2025 X Games, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the event.
The figure skating team event returns with heightened scrutiny following the doping controversy involving Russian skater Kamila Valieva at the last Winter Olympics. With Russia excluded from team competitions, the United States and Japan emerge as favorites while Great Britain aims for a strong showing.
Alpine skiing features compelling storylines across multiple events. Swiss sensation Marco Odermatt enters as the slight favorite in men’s downhill, while American legend Lindsey Vonn makes her competitive return at age 41 following retirement. The women’s downhill also features host nation hopefuls Federica Brignone and Sofia Goggia, both overcoming significant injuries.
British prospects appear promising across multiple disciplines. Skeleton racer Matt Weston, the two-time reigning world champion, seeks to become Britain’s first male Olympic champion in the sport. Teen snowboarding sensation Mia Brookes aims to become Britain’s youngest Winter Olympic medalist in 78 years, while Kirsty Muir returns from ACL surgery to compete in freestyle skiing events.
The ice hockey tournaments feature the return of NHL players to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014, significantly elevating the level of competition. The women’s tournament continues the historic rivalry between Canada and the United States, who have met in six of the seven Olympic gold medal matches.
New events debut at these Games, including ski mountaineering and dual moguls, while traditional sports like curling and bobsleigh maintain their popular appeal. The closing ceremony will take place in Verona’s historic Roman amphitheater, concluding the Games before the focus shifts to the French Alps for the 2030 Winter Olympics.