(Photo: Olympics.com)
Milan, Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy — February 6, 2026
The 2026 Winter Olympics officially opened in Milan–Cortina on February 6, with athletes from the United States and Canada stepping onto the world stage, many hailing from the Great Lakes region.
Team USA featured standout athletes including Mikaela Shiffrin (alpine skiing) from Vail, Colorado—who spent part of her early training in Michigan ski programs—Jordan Stolz (speed skating) from Wisconsin, and women’s hockey star Hilary Knight from Palo Alto, California, whose family has strong roots in Minnesota hockey leagues. These competitors are among the region’s proudest representatives, ready to make an impact across multiple sports.
Canada’s delegation was anchored by athletes such as Mikaël Kingsbury (moguls) from Laurentides, Quebec, Marie-Philip Poulin (women’s hockey) from Beauce, Quebec, and alpine skier Laurie Blouin from Lévis, Quebec—all of whom showcase the strength of Ontario and Quebec winter sports programs.
The opening ceremony offered a dazzling display of culture, including the iconic Olympic flame and performances celebrating Italian heritage, while athletes paraded before a global audience. For fans in the Great Lakes region, the excitement was intensified by the presence of familiar local athletes competing on the world stage.
These athletes will compete across figure skating, hockey, alpine skiing, and speed skating—sports in which the Great Lakes region has historically excelled. Their participation underscores the area’s role as a powerhouse for winter sports and sets the stage for what promises to be a memorable two weeks of competition.