The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics have delivered a whirlwind of athletic drama, unexpected twists, and record-breaking performances as the Games hit their stride in mid-February. From the dazzling heights of figure skating innovation to the relentless speed of short track and speed skating, and the thunderous upsets on the ice hockey rink, every corner of the Italian Alps is buzzing with Olympic energy.
One of the most talked-about stories this week is the meteoric rise of Im Jongeon, the new ace of Korean men’s short track. On February 13, 2026, Im electrified fans at the Ice Skating Arena in Milan by advancing to the men’s 1000m short track final. His semifinal race was a masterclass in patience and explosive power. Settling into fourth place at the start, Im waited for his moment. With just a lap and a half left, he launched a breathtaking sprint, surging past his competitors to finish first in Heat 2 with a time of 1 minute 24.025 seconds. This victory secured his spot in the coveted Olympic final, much to the delight of Korean supporters and short track enthusiasts worldwide.
Im’s semifinal heroics were no fluke. In the quarterfinals, he had similarly timed his attack to perfection, beginning his sprint with two laps to go and finishing second in his heat. The Korean camp is abuzz with hope that Im could bring home another medal for a nation with deep roots in short track dominance. Unfortunately, his compatriot Shin Dongmin, who also reached the semifinals, finished last in Heat 1 and missed out on the final. The semifinals, held on February 13 (Korea time), showcased just how razor-thin the margins are at this level of competition.
While short track fans watched Im’s ascent, the figure skating world was captivated by a revolution of its own. The 2026 Games have seen the once-banned backflip return to the ice, thanks to a 2024 rule change by the International Skating Union (ISU). Long considered too dangerous and penalized for its lack of “artistic” value, the backflip became legendary when French skater Surya Bonaly performed it at the 1998 Nagano Games as an act of protest. Now, it’s legal—and Ilia Malinin has wasted no time making history. Earlier this week, Malinin landed the first legal Olympic backflip during the team event, helping Team USA clinch gold and sending shockwaves through the skating community. The move, once forbidden, is now the symbol of a new era in figure skating spectacle.
But Malinin is not just a showman; he’s a technical powerhouse. Heading into the Men’s Single Skating – Free Skating final on February 13, Malinin holds a five-point lead over Beijing silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama (103.07 points), with France’s Adam Siao Him Fa close behind at 102.55. Malinin remains the only skater to have ever landed a quadruple Axel in competition, and fans are eagerly waiting to see if he’ll attempt it again in today’s long program. The chase for gold is far from over, and with the technical ceiling rising, every jump and spin could tip the balance.
For those tuning in from the United States, coverage is split across USA Network for the early groups (starting at 1:00 p.m. ET) and NBC for the final, highest-seeded groups (from 3:00 p.m. ET). Peacock offers comprehensive streaming, including alternate “Rinkside Live” feeds for die-hard fans who don’t want to miss a single rotation or reaction. Meanwhile, Indian fans can catch the action live on Sports18 and stream events via JioCinema or JioHotstar, with additional highlights available on Olympics.com.
India’s own Olympic journey continues with determination and pride. The country’s two-man contingent, though yet to secure a medal as of February 13, remains focused on personal bests and breaking new ground. Cross-country skier Stanzin Lundup was scheduled to compete in the Men’s 10km Interval Start Freestyle at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, while veteran Arif Khan prepares for his Slalom event on February 16, aiming to improve on his previous Olympic finish. In a Games dominated by winter sports powerhouses, every finish line crossed by Indian athletes is a testament to grit and ambition.
Elsewhere on the Olympic stage, France stunned the field in figure skating ice dance, with Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron clinching the gold medal at the Milan Ice Skating Arena. Their performance edged out Team USA’s Evan Bates and Madison Chock, who delivered a standout free dance to “Paint It Black” and secured silver, while Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier took bronze. The Americans’ routine, praised for its precision and artistry, scored 134.67 in the free dance and an overall 224.39, putting them on the podium but just shy of the top spot. According to CNN Sports, "Madison Chock and Evan Bates jump into first with a standout free dance performance, scoring a 134.67. The overall score to beat: 224.39. The American couple is one pair away from a gold medal, but are guaranteed a position on the podium regardless."
In speed skating, American phenom Jordan Stolz lived up to his nickname “Straaljager” (Fighter Jet) by winning gold in the men’s 1000m with an Olympic record time of 1:06.28. Dutch fans, though disappointed by a silver finish, celebrated Stolz’s dominance and sportsmanship. Italy, meanwhile, thrilled home crowds by sweeping gold in both the men’s and women’s doubles luge, with Andrea Voetter and Marion Oberhofer making history as the first women’s gold medalists in the event.
The freestyle skiing moguls saw Team USA’s Elizabeth Lemley and Jaelin Kauf claim gold and silver, respectively, underscoring America’s depth in the discipline. On the snowboarding front, Chloe Kim continued her dominance by topping the women’s halfpipe qualification, while three Americans—Jake Pates, Chase Josey, and 17-year-old Alessandro Barbieri—advanced to the men’s halfpipe final, set for February 13 at 1:30 p.m. ET. Australian star Scotty James led all qualifiers with a standout 94 points, with Japan’s Yuto Totsuka and Ryusei Yamada also among the top contenders.
Ice hockey returned to Olympic glory with the reappearance of NHL stars after a 12-year absence. Yet, the script was flipped when Slovakia, boasting just seven NHL players, shocked Finland’s roster of 24 NHL athletes with a 4-1 victory. In another twist, host nation Italy—without a single NHL player—was tied 2-2 with powerhouse Sweden halfway through their game, proving that Olympic magic can strike anywhere, at any time.
As the medal count climbs, Norway leads with seven golds, with the US and Italy close behind at four each. Every day brings new stories of triumph, heartbreak, and the relentless quest for Olympic greatness. With more finals, upsets, and historic performances on the horizon, the world is watching—wondering what unforgettable moment will come next from Milan-Cortina.