In photos: Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics show speed, skill and celebration

In photos: Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics show speed, skill and celebration
Birk Ruud of Norway in action during his third run of the Men's Freeski Slopestyle Final, Livigno Snow Park, Italy, 10 February, 2026
Reuters

As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics continue to unfold across northern Italy, photographers have captured a striking array of moments that define this year’s Games - from breathtaking athletic feats and dramatic competition scenes to expressive portraits and artistic thermal imagery.

The opening ceremony on 6 February at Milan’s Arco della Pace dazzled spectators as fireworks lit up the night sky, highlighted by the Olympic cauldron being lit by legendary Italian skiers Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni.

Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, Arco della Pace, Milan, Italy, 6 February, 2026
Reuters

Norwegian athlete Sturla Holm Lægreid won bronze in the Men’s 20km Individual Biathlon at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena, wiping tears with a plush toy of the Winter Games mascot in an emotional display.

Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, Biathlon - Men's 20km Individual Victory Ceremony, Anterselva Biathlon Arena, South Tyrol, Italy, 10 February, 2026
Reuters

Photographers captured a touching moment of Italy’s Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner hugging in celebration after defeating Great Britain’s Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds to win the mixed doubles bronze medal.

Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, Curling - Mixed Doubles Bronze Medal Game - Great Britain vs Italy, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, 10 February, 2026
Reuters

In alpine skiing, American athletes showcased both skill and personality.

Paula Moltzan powered down the course during the Women’s Team Combined event, while Mikaela Shiffrin added a playful touch by sticking her tongue out ahead of the Women’s Team Combined Slalom.

Fans were also treated to thrilling action in the Men’s Skeleton, as China’s Qinwei Lin hurtled down the Cortina Sliding Centre track, highlighting the sport’s speed and intensity.

Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, Skeleton - Men Official Training Heat 4, Cortina Sliding Centre, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, 10 February, 2026
Reuters

The women’s ice hockey preliminary round between Japan and Sweden delivered dramatic goal-mouth scrambles, with Japanese goalkeeper Rei Halloran making a sprawling save as attackers and defenders jostled for the puck in front of the net.

Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, Ice Hockey - Women's Preliminary Round - Group B - Japan vs Sweden, Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, Milan, Italy, 10 February, 2026
Reuters

Meanwhile, Getty Images at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are experimenting with thermal imaging and vintage cameras, capturing athletes as spectral forms that reveal heat, motion and muscular effort, blending art and sport in strikingly unconventional photos.

Parallel Giant Slalom. Back To The Future - Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics @gettysport
Getty Sport. @hvivas24 via Instagram.

These images offer a vivid visual journey through the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, capturing the spirit of competition, camaraderie and excitement that makes the Olympics such a global spectacle.

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