The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina are in full swing, and the ice hockey tournaments—both men’s and women’s—are already delivering drama, suspense, and a few unexpected twists. But as fans tune in to watch their favorite NHL stars and national teams battle for gold, a different kind of opponent has emerged in the Olympic Village: norovirus. With athletes sidelined and schedules shuffled, the Games have become a test of resilience, adaptability, and, above all, hygiene.
Norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug, began to spread through parts of the Olympic Village in early February 2026. The impact was felt most acutely by Finland’s women’s ice hockey team, which saw more than half of its roster affected just days before a crucial Group A matchup against Canada. Thirteen of Finland’s 23 players entered quarantine on February 3, leaving only eight skaters and two goaltenders available for training. With so few players able to take the ice, Olympic officials had little choice but to postpone the anticipated showdown, rescheduling it for Thursday, February 13.
The outbreak didn’t stop with Finland. Switzerland’s women’s team quickly isolated all its players overnight after confirming a single infection, going so far as to skip the opening ceremony as a precaution. As concern spread through the athletes’ village, delegations across the board ramped up hygiene protocols. Teams emphasized frequent handwashing, stricter dining guidelines, and limited physical contact. Some squads even agreed to forgo traditional postgame handshakes—a move exemplified by Germany’s women’s ice hockey team, which, after its February 7 match against Japan, had both teams acknowledge the crowd without any physical contact.
“These cases are a good reminder for us to stay dialed in our hygiene strategies,” a nutritionist with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee told CNN, urging athletes to wash their hands regularly and to contact medical staff at the first sign of symptoms. The committee’s dietitian also highlighted the importance of disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and avoiding the sharing of personal items like water bottles. Edwin Johnson, director of clinical nutrition services at South Brooklyn Health in New York, echoed these sentiments: “It’s a massive logistical operation. You have to remember that for these athletes, food isn’t just fuel; it’s a safety variable. The golden rule is ‘familiarity over adventure.’ The Games are not the time to be an adventurous eater.” Johnson also advised athletes to avoid drinking tap water and steer clear of raw foods.
Sweden’s cross-country skiing team took no chances, gathering athletes at a hotel and entering a temporary lockdown. New arrivals were required to stay in their rooms for 48 hours to monitor for symptoms, with access strictly limited to team officials and hotel staff. This cautious approach appeared to pay off, as Sweden’s women dominated the cross-country events, clinching five of the six medals awarded in the early stages of the Games.
Canada, always a contender in Olympic ice hockey, advised its athletes to wear gloves when handling shared dressing bottles in the athletes’ village dining hall. Across the board, the message was clear: minimize contact, maximize caution. Despite the growing number of cases and the visible impact on team rosters and schedules, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) declined to label the situation an outbreak, noting that U.S. authorities define an outbreak as two or more similar illnesses linked to a common exposure. Even so, the IOC has been careful not to use that term publicly.
Meanwhile, the action on the ice continues to captivate audiences. The women’s tournament officially began on February 5 and will conclude with the gold medal game on February 19. The men’s tournament kicked off today, February 11, with preliminary rounds running through February 15. The men’s competition features 12 nations divided into three groups: Group A (Canada, Czechia, Switzerland, France), Group B (Italy, Finland, Sweden, Slovakia), and Group C (USA, Germany, Latvia, Denmark). The top finisher from each group, along with the best second-place team, will receive a direct bye to the quarterfinals, while the remaining eight must fight through a qualification round.
Key men’s matches in the opening days include Slovakia vs. Finland and Sweden vs. Italy on February 11, followed by marquee clashes like Czechia vs. Canada and USA vs. Latvia on February 12. The preliminary rounds set the stage for a frenetic knockout phase, with qualification playoffs on February 17, quarterfinals on February 18, semifinals on February 20, and the gold medal game scheduled for February 22 at 8:10 AM ET.
All matches are being held in Milan, Italy, split between the brand-new Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (with a capacity of 14,000) and the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. The Santagiulia Arena will host the majority of the high-profile matches, including all semifinals and medal games, while the Rho Arena accommodates several preliminary round contests for both men’s and women’s tournaments.
This year’s tournament is especially noteworthy for the return of NHL stars to the Olympic stage. Team USA is captained by Auston Matthews, with Matthew Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy serving as alternates. Team Canada, always a favorite, boasts a legendary core featuring Sidney Crosby—who famously scored the overtime winner in the Vancouver 2010 final—and Olympic debutant Connor McDavid. Other stars to watch include David Pastrnak for Czechia, Leon Draisaitl for Germany, and William Nylander for Sweden. Their presence has raised the level of competition, with fans and pundits alike eager to see which nation will seize the moment.
Canada’s campaign began with a highly anticipated Group A matchup against Czechia on February 12. The Canadians, seeking their first men’s Olympic gold since Sochi 2014, are heavy favorites, but Czechia, fresh off a gold medal at the 2024 World Championships in Prague, present a formidable challenge—especially with Pastrnak leading the charge, despite the absence of Pavel Zacha due to injury. The Czechs haven’t medaled at the Olympics since their bronze in Turin 2006, but their storied history includes a famous gold at Nagano 1998.
Broadcast rights for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games are spread across the globe, ensuring fans everywhere can follow the action. In Canada, coverage is provided by CBC, Bell Media, and Rogers Media; in the United States, NBC Olympics and Peacock hold the rights. European fans can tune in via Warner Bros Discovery channels, Eurosport, and various national broadcasters. The Olympic Channel via Olympics.com also offers streaming options in selected regions.
As the tournaments progress, all eyes will be on the athletes—not just for their dazzling displays of skill, but also for their determination to overcome adversity both on and off the ice. With norovirus forcing teams to adapt, the 2026 Winter Olympics ice hockey events have become a true test of grit and teamwork. The schedule is packed, the stakes are high, and the world is watching to see who will rise above the challenges and etch their names in Olympic history.
With the men’s and women’s tournaments still unfolding, the coming days promise more twists, fierce competition, and, hopefully, a return to normalcy as teams continue to battle both for medals and for their health. For now, the Games go on—one shift, one save, and one sanitized handshake at a time.