Milano Cortina 2026 Diary: Lederhosen, Late Buses, and Olympic Drama
Covering the inaugural week of events at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has proven to be an enlightening yet challenging experience, filled with unexpected moments and logistical hurdles.
Friday: Arrival in Cortina
The journey from Milan to Cortina spanned seven hours, culminating just as athletes paraded through the town square. Cortina, a quaint one-street locale, was bustling with spectators perched on balconies. Among the crowd, three men sported lederhosen, five wore identical Wayne Gretzky jerseys, and many donned luxurious furs. A notable encounter was with a Qatari police officer, part of a security pact between nations, who appeared even more out of place than this seasoned reporter at their sixth Olympics.
Saturday: Historic Ice Arena
The Ice Arena in Cortina boasts a unique memorial commemorating a famous 1958 photoshoot by Italian photojournalist Giancolombo, featuring Brigitte Bardot skating. This venue, once frequented by stars like Sophia Loren and Ingrid Bergman and used for filming For Your Eyes Only, has been redeveloped for the Games. Here, Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds faced Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman in mixed doubles curling.
Sunday: Lindsey Vonn's Crash
A chilling silence fell over the crowded stadium when Lindsey Vonn crashed just 12 seconds into her women's downhill run, tumbling down the mountain. This moment, reminiscent of Jofra Archer's incident at Lord's in 2019, shifted the mood instantly as spectators prayed for her safety. Vonn was later airlifted to hospital, leaving a somber atmosphere.
Monday: Travel App Troubles
Organisers promoted a bespoke travel app for navigating venues, but it proved unreliable. A colleague waited three hours for a bus to ski jumping, while others faced delays. After a three-hour drive through hairpin bends to Predazzo, the return journey involved a chaotic shuttle with 5,000 people, ending with a midnight bus ride over mountains with a non-English-speaking driver.
Tuesday: British Curling Defeat
Great Britain's curling team, led by Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds, lost their semi-final to Sweden and were defeated by Italy in the bronze medal match, marking their third fourth-place finish in 24 hours. Chef de mission Eve Muirhead emphasized staying positive in a brief interview.
Wednesday: Biathlon Surprises
Travel to a remote biathlon venue near the Austrian border was arduous but rewarding. The event drew large, devoted crowds in fancy dress, akin to a darts night. Conversations included Greenland's minister labeling Donald Trump as crazy, and winner Julia Simon, convicted of credit card fraud, gave a haughty press conference avoiding the topic.
Thursday: Skeleton Controversy
At the men's skeleton, world champion Matt Weston set track records, but the focus shifted when the IOC disqualified Vladyslav Heraskevych for refusing to remove a helmet with images of dead Ukrainian athletes. Announced via press release before the event, this led media to ignore the racing, capturing Heraskevych's press conference instead—a poignant moment unlikely to be promoted by the IOC.
