The official opening ceremony of the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games began tonight (Friday) in Italy, marking the start of one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
The games will last until February 22, while competitions will take place in ten arenas spread across three regions of northern Italy, with Milan and Cortina in the spotlight.
These Winter Olympic Games will feature 2,871 athletes from 92 countries, with an almost equal representation of male and female athletes. The program includes 116 medal events in 16 winter sports.
Among the disciplines that will be part of the competitions are alpine skiing, biathlon, ice hockey, figure and speed skating, skeleton, as well as ski mountaineering, which will debut for the first time as an Olympic discipline.
Kosovo will be represented at Milano–Cortina 2026 with two skiers, Drin Kokaj and Kiana Kryeziu.
They have already paraded in the grand opening ceremony, which is being held at the legendary San Siro stadium in Milan.
This is the third time that Kosovo participates in the Winter Olympic Games.
Kiana Kryeziu will compete in three disciplines: super giant slalom, giant slalom and slalom, while Drin Kokaj will debut in the slalom discipline.Telegrafi/