Here's the latest
• IOC disqualifies Ukrainian athlete: Skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych defied guidelines banning his helmet featuring images of athletes killed during the war in Ukraine. He was just honored with a freedom award by the Ukrainian president.
• Chloe Kim looks for three-peat: US snowboarding star Chloe Kim is going for her third snowboard halfpipe gold medal in a row today in a busy Day 6 of the Games for the Americans.
• Italian glory in speed skating: Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida won the women’s 5000m final in sensational fashion in front of a raucous home crowd to win her second gold of the Games.
CNN Sports has all of the greatest feats of achievement – and funny anecdotes – from the Games, so sign up for our “Milano Memo” newsletter.
Chaos remains order of the day in short track speed skating
The women’s short track 500m quarterfinals have now finished and I’ll try to wrap up quickly what happened, because I know Chloe Kim is closing in on snowboarding gold elsewhere.
Dutch athlete Xandra Velzeboer was the fastest athlete in that round, breaking the Olympic record. We had some drama after China’s Wang Xinran was disqualified for pushing Team USA’s Kristen Santos-Griswold, who is now her nation’s only hope it this event.
Italy’s legendary skater Arianna Fontana also made it through to the semifinals.
Already we’re onto the quarterfinals of the men’s 1000m.
Chloe Kim stays first; one run from another gold medal
Team USA’s Chloe Kim stays in the lead and is one step closer to making history.
With just one run left in this women’s halfpipe final, Kim is still in first place with her score of 88.00 from the opening round.
The back-to-back Olympic champ fell in her second run as she looked to extend her lead over her opposition.
Mitsuki Ono of Japan still sits in second with 85.00 with teammate Rise Kudo remaining in the bronze medal spot, this time with an improved score of 81.75.
Team USA’s Bea Kim delivered a much-improved run with a score of 77.00 to go fifth, with teammate Maddie Mastro improving but falling once more.
Can anyone catch Chloe Kim?
Short track speed skating kicks off with Olympic record
After one race, I’ve seen enough to say this is my favorite sport at the Winter Olympics.
The action kicks off with the women’s 500m quarterfinals and the first race is over before it begins.
Short track is a bit like speed skating’s younger, slightly rebellious cousin. It’s just unbridled chaos unleashed onto the rink 40 seconds at a time.
I’ve just seen Dutch athlete Xandra Velzeboer break an Olympic record to win the first quarterfinal. I’ll update you on who makes it to the semis.
Chloe Kim soars to the top of the standings after stunning run
Has Chloe Kim sealed her third gold medal already? WHAT A RUN.
Kim flies straight to the top of the leaderboard with an incredible score of 88.00.
It might be game over already with that run really setting the standard for the rest of the competition.
Elsewhere, and with three runs each, it looked like everyone else was also happy to risk it all on their opening runs with several competitors crashing early in this final.
Team USA’s Maddie Mastro and Bea Kim both fell on their runs. Mastro scored just 5.50 with Kim scoring 7.25, respectively.
Mitsuki Ono of Japan currently sits in second with 85.00 with teammate Rise Kudo in third with a score of 77.50.
Run 2 is underway now.
Electric violins and Zambonis: Welcome to speed skating
I’ve already seen some bizarre things at this year’s Games, and I’m currently watching another.
While we wait for the athletes to start in about 20 minutes, someone is playing a blue, flashing electric violin on a stage while a Zamboni (a word I’ve only just learned) is preparing the ice for competition.
I almost forgot, there is a very flashy light show accompanying all this.
I’m very tired and this feels like a fever dream.
Zelensky presents disqualified Ukranian athlete with freedom award
Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the country’s Order of Freedom toVladyslav Heraskevych, the Ukranian athlete disqualified from the Olympics for wearing a helmet with images of athletes killed in the Ukranian war.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) disqualified the skeleton racer for “refusing to adhere” to their rules that prevent athletes from making political statements. IOC President Kirsty Coventry met with Heraskevych this morning after he wore the helmet in practice runs.
Heraskevych told CNN Tuesday “I wear this helmet two days ago, yesterday, today. I will wear it tomorrow and I will wear it for the race day.” He held his ground on the meeting with Coventry, which ended with his disqualification.
Coventry said to reporters after the meeting – at times choking up – that she understood the helmet’s message but with current rules “we have to be able to keep a safe environment for everyone and sadly, that just means no messaging is allowed.”
Zelensky condemned the IOC’s decision as contrary to “peace, justice, or the principles of the Olympic movement.”
“Sport should not be without memory and respect,” Zelensky said in his nightly address. “Ukrainians are already preparing for competitions in special conditions – in conditions of war. And it is not politics to talk about what is really happening.”
Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych about to give update
It’s just gone 7:30 p.m. local and the gathered media here in Milan, including CNN, is awaiting outside the Ukrainian consulate to hear from Vladyslav Heraskevych, his father Mikhailo, and Ukraine’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Matvii Bidny, among others.
Heraskevych is headed to Milan from Cortina d’Ampezzo, where he discovered earlier today that he had been disqualified from competing in the skeleton competition for his helmet depicting images of 24 Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia. This upcoming press conference is due to begin in 15 minutes. We will update with the latest.
Milan commute from long to short track speed skating
Until earlier today, I had just assumed both the long and short track speed skating would be in the same venue; but how wrong I was.
Having just watched the dramatic conclusion of the women’s 5000m long track final, I – and hundreds of other people – raced across Milan to attend the short track events on offer, with medals in both the men’s 1000m and women’s 500m.
The short track races are being held in what has been the figure skating stadium during this year’s Games and it’s about a 40-minute Metro ride from the speed skating venue.
The Metro was so crammed that I couldn’t even move my arms up to get a picture with my phone, so my editor will have to take my word for it. (Editor’s note: We believe you, Ben).
But anyway, I’m here and will bring you the highlights from the action. I’ve been promised carnage, chaos and adrenaline … much like my journey.
The women's halfpipe is underway. Can Chloe Kim threepeat?
The women’s snowboard halfpipe is officially underway, and all eyes are firmly on Team USA star Chloe Kim.
The back-to-back champ is looking to make it three gold medals in a row – adding to her collection from Pyeongchang and Beijing.
But Kim faces stiff competition, particularly from two talented teenagers from Japan.
Sixteen-year-olds Sara Shimizu and Rise Kudo represent Kim’s biggest threats, finishing qualifying in second and fourth respectively.
Kim’s USA teammate Maddie Mastro, who finished third in qualifying, will also be in the hunt for the medals.
Team Canada thrashes Czech Republic in men's hockey
Boasting a team full of NHL superstars, Team Canada flexed its superiority by dominating the Czech Republic 5-0 in its first game at this year’s Winter Olympics.
Sharks phenom Macklin Celebrini opened the scoring at the end of the first period before Mark Stone doubled the advantage for Team Canada.
The pass from his Vegas Golden Knights teammate Mitch Marner was “sauce” personified.
The Islanders’ Bo Horvat made it three with the Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon adding a fourth not long after.
Montreal Canadiens’ Nick Suzuki, one of many making his Olympic debut, then made it five with goalie Jordan Binnington making 26 stops in the shutout.
Captained by two-time NHL MVP Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, this Canada team certainly looks like it means business in Milan.
Here's what has gone down so far in today's Olympic Games action
Day 6 of the Olympics has had no shortage of news. Italy has won the most gold today so far.
Catch up on today’s gold medals here:
Gold, more gold for Italy: Francesca Lollobrigida came in first in the women’s 5000m speed skating, walking away with a huge smile and her second gold of the Games. Italy’s Federica Brignone claimed gold in the women’s super-G (super giant slalom) in an extraordinary comeback after multiple leg fractures and a torn ACL in April last year.
And…Austria just makes it!: Alessandro Hämmerle slid across the finish line narrowly ahead of his competitors in a nail-biting men’s snowboard cross final.
Sweden’s one-two: Frida Karlsson claimed a second gold medal of these Games in the women’s cross-country skiing 10km, with fellow Swede Ebba Andersson in second. Team USA’s Jessie Diggins clinched the bronze.
Australia’s tie-breaker: Cooper Woods claimed gold in the men’s moguls with an equivalent score to Canada’s Mikael Kingsbury in second, but with better turns.
More news from this morning:
Ukranian disqualification: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) disqualified Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych for “refusing to adhere” to their rules banning political statemements and wearing a helmet with images of athletes killed in the Ukrainian war. A fellow Ukranian athlete had a similar experience, but one he complied with to stay in the Games.
USA’s ever-present politics: Minnesota native Rich Ruohonen, Team USA curler, reacted to Border czar Tom Homan’s announcement that the monthslong immigration enforcement crackdown in the state has ended. The Olympian said that he’s “glad” that the operation is ending, adding, “I hope we can heal as a state and recover from what’s happened and come together and show the love and respect and empathy and integrity like we have in Minnesota, frankly.” He also said that he believes that it’s “OK for athletes to voice their opinions” and that they should.
Team USA lost its curling game Thursday but made history: The 54-year-old Ruohonen became the oldest American Winter Olympian.
Breezy Johnson engagement: The American downhill gold medalist was proposed to at the finish of today’s super-G event and she said yes!
CNN’s Maureen Chowdhury, Ben Church, Dana O’Neil and Frank Nunns O’Connell contributed to this report.
So, how does the luge relay work?
While the Winter Olympics is full of sports the average viewer would find utterly terrifying, there is maybe no event with a scarier sounding name than the luge relay.
However, unlike relays in athletics, there is no baton to exchange – thankfully.
Instead, it is a combination of six athletes and four different events: women’s singles, men’s singles, women’s doubles and men’s doubles.
The women’s singles is the first athlete down and is met at the bottom of the track by a hanging touchpad. As soon as that gets hit, the gate for the next sledge opens.
The men’s singles is next down the track, followed by the doubles, and the winner is the team with the fastest cumulative time.
This is the first time the team relay will be contested with all four of these segments with the addition of the women’s doubles.
And it’s underway now!
Chloe Kim is looking for an Olympic halfpipe three-peat today
Chloe Kim heads into today’s halfpipe final as the favorite after impressing in qualification with a ridiculous first run that topped the standings.
Two other Americans – Maddie Mastro and Bea Kim – also made it through to the final, but all eyes will be on the two-time defending Olympic champion to see if she can make it a three-peat of Games crowns.
The snowboarding star has done all this despite suffering a dislocated shoulder in early January. She posted a video of her injury to Instagram, which took place in Laax, Switzerland, which shows her rising up the halfpipe before losing her balance and falling awkwardly down the vertical wall of the pipe before coming to a halt in the flat.
She later said she was “good to go” for Milan Cortina and has certainly impressed so far.
“I have a nice shoulder brace. I can’t move my arm too much, so it almost keeps me more stable. I’m out here trying to look at things positively and not pay too much mind to the negatives.”
Kim has her boyfriend, NFL superstar defensive end Myles Garrett, and family in tow – as well as the millions and millions of Americans at home – to support her as she chases Olympic glory. If she wins today, she will become the first snowboarder in Games history – man or woman – to win a three-peat of titles in any discipline.
The final starts with run 1 taking place at 1:30 p.m. ET.
CNN’s Frank Nunns O’Connell contributed to this reporting.
Horses and skiers compete together in skijoring — the Winter Games’ first demonstration sport
A wild blend between horses and skis is an integral part of a sport which we won’t be seeing at the 2026 Winter Games.
Exhibited at St. Moritz, Switzerland in 1928, skijoring holds the honor of being the first ever demonstration sport at a Winter Olympics, yet the discipline’s origins extend well beyond its Games debut.
Practiced differently across continents, the history of skijoring is a complex one and comes in many different forms. But in recent years, it’s been the American version of the sport which has grown in popularity.
Megan Smith, a professional western-style skijorer, told CNN Sports all about the wild nature of the discipline: “An average person couldn’t do it. This is crazy.
How do you order a coffee in Italy?
Given our teams in the field must be cold – and you too if you’re in northern Italy for these Games – they must be looking for a hot beverage to warm up. And what better than one of Italy’s famed coffees. But how do you order one the right way?
You begin with the easy part, finding a shop that sells coffee. Once you enter, there’s no formal queue. Instead, you will have to try your hardest to catch the barista’s eye.
After that incredibly awkward task is complete, open with a greeting like “buongiorno,” which is “hello” in Italian.
Now, the important part. “Un caffè” is an espresso, “macchiato” is an espresso with a spoonful of hot and foamy milk. DO NOT ask for a latte, otherwise you will end up with a glass full of milk. Instead, for what you are used to as a latte, ask for a “latte macchiato” and your order shall be served.
With the countdown to the Winter Olympics Games underway, Italy is gearing up to host athletes and tourists alike. One Italian ritual is essential for visitors to understand: the unwritten rules of Italian coffee. CNN's Antonia Mortensen shows you how to order the perfect cappuccino.
Fortunately, to save you the stress, cappuccino is pronounced the same in English as it is in Italian.
If you didn’t pay at the start, you can exchange the money on your way out. With that, the ritual is complete, you are now fully set to engage in one of Italy’s proudest traditions.
Italy's Francesca Lollobrigida celebrates gold medal with video call
Francesca Lollobrigida won’t forget that for a while.
She looks the perfect blend of absolutely exhausted and totally ecstatic as she waves to the crowd on her victory lap, wrapped in the Italian flag.
She then brings out her phone and looks to call someone, waving down the lens at, presumably, a loved one somewhere in the world.
That women’s 5000m final took a while to get going but what a conclusion.
Dutch athlete Merel Conijn has to settle for silver after finishing 0.10 seconds back, with Norway’s Ragne Wiklund taking bronze.
Francesca Lollobrigida brings the house down with her second gold of the Games
Incredible!
What a performance from Francesca Lollobrigida, absolutely sensational.
The Italian knew the time she had to beat and went out hard, tracking over a second quicker than Merel Conijn at times.
But you could see she started to struggle in the last few laps and her pace began to slow.
Seeing this, the home crowd got on their feet and made an amazing noise to urge her on.
It worked and she walks away with the gold medal and a massive smile on her face.
Just 0.07 seconds makes a big difference in speed skating
Sports can be so cruel sometimes.
Norway’s Ragne Wiklund just put her heart and soul into that race, but finished 0.07 seconds behind current leader Merel Conijn.
Wiklund sinks her head into her hands as Conijn celebrates. With just two athletes left to go, she knows she’s at least got a medal.
Now to decide what color.
Dutch delight as Merel Conijn takes the 5000m speed skating lead
We needed something to spark the women’s 5000m final into life and our prayers have been answered.
Dutch fans stand to applaud Merel Conijn as she takes the lead after a brilliant race with Belgium’s Sandrine Tas.
The two women have been by far the fastest of the final so far and occupy the gold and silver medal places as things stand.
They both put an arm around each other as they try to gain their breath back on the ice.
The story behind this viral celebration at the Winter Olympics
Austrian snowboarder Benjamin Karl knew exactly what he would do if he won a gold medal at this year’s Winter Olympics; what he hadn’t planned for was the reaction from the rest of the world.
After retaining his Olympic parallel giant slalom crown in Livigno on Sunday, the 40-year-old celebrated by ripping off his top, baring his chest to the frenzied crowd, before flexing his muscles and dropping facedown onto the snow.
The impassioned celebration was quickly clipped and shared across social media, with thousands enjoying what initially looked like a release of unbridled, unrehearsed joy.
And while Karl was absolutely over-the-moon with his gold medal moment, the reaction was very much planned as a tribute to his hero, Hermann Maier.
“He was my one and only idol, and I waited my whole career for the right moment to do it, in tribute to him,” Karl told CNN Sports.
Read more about Karl’s wonderful celebration and career here.
