<p>The 2026 Winter Olympics are fast approaching, and Milan is buzzing as it prepares to host one of the most ambitious Games yet, spread across eight locations throughout Northern Italy with Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo as the main hubs. In an exclusive look inside the U.S. Consulate’s Olympic Security Situation Room, officials reveal teams working on the ground for two years to protect American athletes, families, and delegations. As the countdown continues, Northern Italy is preparing not only to showcase sport, but also its rich culture, food, and iconic winter landscapes.</p>
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Final preparations underway ahead of Winter Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympics are fast approaching, and Milan is buzzing as it prepares to host one of the most ambitious Games yet, spread across eight locations throughout Northern Italy with Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo as the main hubs. As the countdown continues, Northern Italy is preparing not only to showcase sport, but also its rich culture, food, and iconic winter landscapes.

3:19 • Source: CNN
Olympics Opening Ceremony 8 videos
<p>The 2026 Winter Olympics are fast approaching, and Milan is buzzing as it prepares to host one of the most ambitious Games yet, spread across eight locations throughout Northern Italy with Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo as the main hubs. In an exclusive look inside the U.S. Consulate’s Olympic Security Situation Room, officials reveal teams working on the ground for two years to protect American athletes, families, and delegations. As the countdown continues, Northern Italy is preparing not only to showcase sport, but also its rich culture, food, and iconic winter landscapes.</p>
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Final preparations underway ahead of Winter Olympics
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• Source: CNN
<p>Preparations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics are picking up pace, and CNN's Antonia Mortensen has been to the Cortia Sliding Centre as some of the world's best lugers have been trying to book their place at the games. </p>
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Behind the scenes and on the ice as countdown continues to Milano Cortina Olympics
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<p>CNN Sport's Coy Wire speaks with 41-year-old ski great Lindsey Vonn about her return to the sport after a six-year retirement as well as competing at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.</p>
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Lindsey Vonn reflects on "crazy adventure" back to the slopes
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Maame Biney Speed Skater Winter Olympics 2018 orig mg_00022623.jpg
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You'll fall in love with this US speed skater
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US-born triplets compete for Jamaican alpine ski team
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Maxim Naumov of the United States skates during the Exhibition Gala at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2023 at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on February 12, 2023.
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'I pray they're smiling down on me now': How Maxim Naumov is preparing for the Olympics one year after losing his parents
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<p>It's an age old question in sports: would you prefer to have youth on your side... or experience? American snowboarder Nick Baumgartner definitely has the latter. At the age of 40, he won gold in the mixed team snowboard cross event at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing. The 44-year-old caught up with CNN Sports’ Coy Wire and explained how having already won gold makes him dangerous on the slopes as he hopes to compete in his 5th Winter Olympics.</p>
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U.S. Snowboarder Nick Baumgartner hoping for his 5th Winter Olympics
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<p>The 2025 ski season may be over but the build-up to next year's Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina continues to ramp up. The torch for the Games has been unveiled and test events have already taken place at some of the venues. Three stars who've tasted the heady success of winning gold at a Winter Olympics – Lindsey Vonn, Eileen Gu and Maria Höfl-Riesch – have all each had their own unique experience of Milan-Cortina. They joined CNN's Amanda Davies at the recent Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid for a special Winter Olympics panel.</p>
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Skiing legends look ahead to 2026 Winter Olympics
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