The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics kicked off Wednesday, as eight countries took the ice for mixed doubles curling. Team USA's debut, however, would have to wait until Thursday, when it took on Norway, which won the silver medal in mixed doubles at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.

The United States has the most athletes competing in the Winter Olympics, but is not favored to win the gold medal race.

Athletes from around the world are arriving in Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics, which begins on February 6.

Ski jumping has been pushed into the spotlight after a whistleblower uncovered a cheating scandal that involves, of all things, crotch manipulation.

The target number of medals for a country to win the overall medal table is 35. Norway captured 37 medals to top the 2022 Winter Olympics medal table. That was 10 more than Germany in second place and 12 more than Team USA in third.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are bringing thousands of athletes from around the world together for more than two weeks of competition — and the Games are a gold mine for statistics.

Most countries that have competed at the Winter Olympics have taken home medals in multiple sports over the years. There are also some that have emerged

When it comes to both overall medal count and gold medal count, Norway is the odds-on favorite at the Winter Olympics. The nation has 405 medals overall, 148 of them gold. Compare that to the United States, which sits in second position in the all-time medal table, with 330 total, 114 gold.

U.S. women's hockey's pursuit for gold starts Thursday with a preliminary matchup against Czechia to open the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.