Day 4 at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics delivered everything fans could hope for—thrilling performances, emotional stories, and some history-making moments on the ice and beyond. Whether you’re following the figure skating drama, the fierce USA-Canada hockey rivalry, or the latest streaming options, there’s no shortage of action and intrigue at this year’s Games.
Let’s start with the ice, where the spotlight shone brightly on Team USA’s Ilia Malinin. Nicknamed the "Quad God," Malinin electrified the crowd at the Milano Ice Skating Arena with a men’s singles short program that left jaws on the floor. His routine, packed with his signature quadruple jumps and capped off with a trademark backflip, earned him a massive score of 108.16—vaulting him to the top of the leaderboard. As CNN Sports described, "He threw everything into that performance, his face contorting as he transformed into whatever character he was playing in his head. You just need to watch him live to see how and why he’s taking this sport to another level." No medals were handed out that night, but Malinin’s performance set the stage for Friday’s free skate, where he’ll look to cement his place in Olympic history.
Malinin wasn’t the only American skater making waves. Maxim Naumov delivered perhaps the most poignant performance of the evening. Skating in memory of his parents, who died just a year ago, Naumov poured his heart out on the ice. The arena fell silent as he finished, before erupting in applause—an emotional reminder of the personal journeys behind these world-class routines. According to CNN, "US figure skater Maxim Naumov produced his best routine of the season on the world stage. He gave an emotional performance, remembering his parents who tragically died a year ago."
The men’s singles event was packed with talent from around the globe. France’s Adam Siao Him Fa dazzled with a score of 102.55, while Italy’s Daniel Grassl sent local fans into a frenzy after posting 93.46 points. Ukraine’s Kyrylo Marsak dedicated his performance to his father, currently fighting on the frontline, adding another layer of emotion to an already charged night. Even Spain’s Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté got the crowd singing along with his Minions-themed routine, showing that the Olympic spirit is alive and well in Milan.
For those eager to catch every twist and turn, coverage of the figure skating events is comprehensive and accessible. In the United States, NBC and USA Network are broadcasting the action, with Peacock offering streaming for $11 a month (ad-supported) or $17 a month (ad-free). DirecTV and Sling TV provide additional options, with DirecTV’s MySports package starting at $70 a month and a five-day free trial for new users. Canadian fans can tune in via CBC and the free CBC Gem streaming service, while UK viewers have access through BBC and TNT Sports, with streaming on BBC iPlayer and Discovery Plus. Australians can follow the Games on Nine, 9Now, and Stan Sport. For those traveling or living abroad, VPN services like NordVPN are popular for accessing region-locked content—though always check the legality in your location.
The women’s ice hockey rivalry between the United States and Canada added another dramatic chapter. In a preliminary round game that many believe could be a preview of the gold medal match, Team USA steamrolled Canada 5-0. Goalie Aerin Frankel was a wall in net, recording 20 saves and handing Canada its first-ever Olympic shutout in 41 games. Four of the five American goals came from first-time Olympians, including Kirsten Simms, Laila Edwards, and Hannah Bilka—who notched two goals and already has three in Milan. Laila Edwards, last year’s NCAA leading scorer and the first Black woman on the USA Olympic hockey team, scored her first Olympic goal to cap the rout. Team USA captain Hilary Knight also tied the record for most career points in US Olympic women’s hockey history with an assist.
Canada, missing their legendary captain Marie-Philip Poulin due to a lower-body injury, struggled to keep pace. As Team USA’s Caroline Harvey told NBC during intermission, "They’re our rivals for a reason." This American squad has dominated the rivalry recently, outscoring Canada 24-7 in a four-game showcase series this fall. Still, every USA-Canada clash is a must-watch, and with both teams likely to meet again deeper in the tournament, the story is far from over.
Elsewhere in Milan, Team USA’s Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse claimed silver in mixed doubles curling after a nail-biting finish against Sweden’s Isabella and Rasmus Wranaa. Thiesse made Olympic history as the first American woman to earn a curling medal. In ski jumping, Slovenia defended its mixed team gold, with siblings Domen and Nika Prevc leading the way and Norway and Japan rounding out the podium.
The Olympics aren’t just about athletic feats—they’re a platform for personal and political statements as well. Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych made headlines by defying International Olympic Committee (IOC) guidelines to wear a helmet honoring 24 athletes killed in the war with Russia. "I wear this helmet two days ago, yesterday, today. I will wear it tomorrow and I will wear it for the race day. These people sacrificed their lives and because of that, I am able to be here today. I’m able to be at the Olympics and I will not betray them," Heraskevych told CNN’s Amanda Davies. He also pointed to Maxim Naumov’s tribute to his parents, highlighting what he sees as a double standard in the IOC’s enforcement of its rules.
Not all stories were about triumph or protest. Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid, after winning bronze in the men’s 20km individual event, admitted on TV to cheating on his girlfriend—an unexpected confession that proved the Olympics can deliver surprises both on and off the field of play.
Looking ahead, the figure skating program continues through February 21, with marquee events like the free dance final on February 11, men’s free skate on February 13, and the exhibition gala closing out the schedule. For those following the stars from Netflix’s "Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing," keep your eyes on Team USA’s Madison Chock and Evan Bates, France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, and Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier as they vie for gold in the free dance final.
With so many storylines unfolding—from record-breaking performances to acts of remembrance and resilience—the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are shaping up to be a truly memorable chapter in sports history. And with plenty of competition still to come, fans around the world have every reason to keep watching.