‘Milan Winter Olympics’ to open on February 7th, goal of ‘3 or more gold medals and TOP 10’

10일 쇼트트랙 혼성계주에서 최민정-황대헌 첫金 기대

At the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics, Korea aims to win three or more gold medals and enter the top 10. Korea Sports Council President Yoo Seung-min, athlete team leader Lee Soo-kyung, and participating players are taking a commemorative photo at the athlete selection ceremony held at the Olympic Parktel in Songpa-gu on the 22nd. /Yonhap News

The Korean team participating in the 2026 Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, which opens on the 7th of next month, set the ultimate goal of winning three or more gold medals and entering the top 10.

Korea ranked 14th in the overall ranking at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics with 2 gold medals, 5 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals.

The greatest expectations are for short track, a traditional Korean sport.

The first gold medal is expected in the short track mixed 2000m relay to be held at the Milan Ice Skating Arena on February 10 at 8 p.m.

The mixed 2000m relay became an official event for the first time at the Beijing Olympics. At that time, Korea fell in the quarterfinals and unfortunately failed to win a medal.

Since this event is conducted quickly like a sprint, the strong Choi Min-jeong (Seongnam City Hall) and Hwang Dae-heon (Gangwon Provincial Office) are expected to lead the national team.

The short track men’s 1000m final will be held on the morning of February 13th. Jong-eon Lim (Goyang City Hall), Dae-heon Hwang, and Dong-min Shin (Korea University) will challenge for the gold medal.

Korean national team ace Lim Jong-eon is expected to compete with ‘world’s best’ William Danjinu (Canada) for a medal.

On February 15, Lim Jong-eon, Hwang Dae-heon, and Shin Dong-min will challenge for the gold medal in the men’s 1500m short track track final.

The men’s 1500m is a key event in Korean short track racing. We are looking for a third consecutive gold medal following 2018 Pyeongchang and 2022 Beijing.

On February 16, Choi Min-jeong, Kim Gil-li (Seongnam City Hall), and Noh Do-hee (Hwaseong City Hall) will compete in the women’s 1,000m short track track.

Choi Min-jeong, who won a silver medal in the women’s 1000m short track speed track at the 2022 Beijing Games, is aiming for a gold medal in this competition.

The biggest competitor is Canada’s Courtney Sarro. Saro grew rapidly this season and won the overall championship in the women’s division of the International Skating Union (ISU) World Tour.

The women’s short track team is also planning to give its all in the women’s 3000m relay on February 19th.

Korea has traditionally been strong in the women’s short track relay, but unfortunately lost the gold medal to the Netherlands at the 2022 Beijing Games and won a silver medal.

In the early morning of February 13th, Choi Ga-on (Sehwa Girls’ High School) will challenge for the gold medal in the snowboarding women’s halfpipe finals.

Choi Ga-on, who won the Snowboard World Cup three times this season, is expected to face fierce competition with Korean-American Chloe Kim for the gold medal.

Chloe Kim, who won back-to-back wins at the 2018 Pyeongchang and 2022 Beijing Games, is aiming to become the first snowboarder to win three consecutive Olympics, and Choi Ga-on is challenging that stronghold.

The first medal will be won by national snowboarding team member Lee Sang-ho (Nexen Wingard), who won the silver medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

On February 14th, the figure skating men’s single free skating, in which Cha Jun-hwan (Seoul City Hall) will participate, will be held. Cha Jun-hwan, who ranked 5th at the 2022 Beijing Games, is looking to become the first Korean male athlete to win an Olympic medal.

[2026 밀라노·코르티나담페조 동계 올림픽 한국 선수단 주요 일정(이하 한국시간)]

△ February 8th

▲Snowboarding = Men’s parallel giant slalom (Lee Sang-ho)

△ February 10th

▲Short track = Mixed 2000m relay (Minjeong Choi, Jong-eon Lim, etc.)

△ February 12th

▲Freestyle skiing = Men’s mogul (Dae-yoon Jeong)

△ February 13th

▲Snowboarding = Women’s Halfpipe (Choi Gaon)

▲Short track = Men’s 1000m (Jong-eon Lim, Dae-heon Hwang, Dong-min Shin)

△ February 14th

▲Figure skating = Men’s single free skating (Cha Jun-hwan)

▲Snowboarding = Men’s Halfpipe (Chaewoon Lee)

▲Skeleton = Man (Seunggi Jeong)

△ February 15th

▲Speed ​​skating = Men’s 500m (Junho Kim)

▲Short track = Men’s 1500m (Jong-eon Lim, Dae-heon Hwang, Dong-min Shin)

△ February 16th

▲Speed ​​skating = Women’s 500m (Kim Min-seon, Lee Na-hyun)

▲Short track = Women’s 1000m (Minjeong Choi, Gilly Kim, Dohee Noh)

△ February 18th

▲Bobsleigh = Men’s 2-person race (Kim Jin-su’s team, Seok Young-jin’s team)

△ February 19th

▲Short track = Men’s 500m (Lim Jong-eon, Hwang Dae-heon, Shin Dong-min), women’s 3000m relay (Choi Min-jeong, Kim Gil-li, etc.)

△ February 20th

▲Figure skating = Women’s single free skating (Jia Shin, Lee Hae-in)

△ February 21st

▲Short track = Women’s 1,500m (Choi Min-jeong, Kim Gil-li, Noh Do-hee), men’s 5,000m relay (Lim Jong-eon, Hwang Dae-heon, etc.)

▲Speed ​​skating = Mass start for men and women (Jaewon Jeong, Jiwoo Park, etc.)

△ February 22nd

▲Bobsleigh = Men’s 4-person race (Kim Jin-su’s team, Seok Young-jin’s team)

▲Curling = Women’s final (Eun-ji Kim, Min-ji Kim, Su-ji Kim, Ye-eun Seol, Ye-ji Seol, advance)

/Reporter Choi Jeong-am [email protected]

When will the Milan Winter Olympics begin, and what is the goal for the italian team?

‘Milan Winter Olympics’ to Open on February 7th, Goal of ‘3 or More Gold Medals and TOP 10’

The stage is set, the ice is gleaming, and anticipation is building. The ‘Milan Winter olympics’ are just around the corner, officially opening on February 7th, 2026. This marks a significant moment for italy and the world of winter sports, promising two weeks of thrilling competition and unforgettable moments. Beyond the spectacle, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) has set enterprising, yet achievable, goals for the national team: securing at least three gold medals and finishing within the top 10 nations in the medal count.

Key sports & Venues

The 2026 Winter Games will be a truly collaborative effort, utilizing venues across Milan and the mountainous regions of Cortina d’Ampezzo. This dual-city approach aims to showcase Italy’s diverse landscapes and sporting infrastructure.

Here’s a breakdown of some key sports and their respective venues:

* Alpine Skiing: Cortina d’Ampezzo will be the epicenter for alpine skiing events, leveraging its long-standing tradition and challenging slopes.

* Speed Skating: The iconic Ice Village in Milan will host the speed skating competitions.

* Figure Skating: Also held at the Ice Village, figure skating promises elegance and athleticism.

* Ice Hockey: Milan’s Mediolanum Forum will be transformed into a battleground for ice hockey supremacy.

* Biathlon: Held in Antholz,a renowned biathlon center,this event combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting.

* Snowboarding & Freestyle Skiing: These events will take place in various locations, showcasing the creativity and skill of athletes.

The Italian Team’s Medal Prospects

The ‘3 or more gold medals and TOP 10’ target isn’t simply wishful thinking. Several Italian athletes are poised to contend for podium finishes across a range of disciplines.

* Alpine Skiing: Italy consistently performs well in alpine skiing, and the home advantage in Cortina d’Ampezzo could provide a significant boost. Keep an eye on athletes like Sofia Goggia and Christof Innerhofer.

* Short Track Speed Skating: Italy has a strong tradition in short track, with multiple medal contenders.

* Bobsleigh & Skeleton: The Italian team has been steadily improving in these disciplines, and a medal isn’t out of the question.

* Figure Skating: With rising stars in both the men’s and women’s categories, Italy is aiming for a strong showing in figure skating.

Ancient Context: Italy at the Winter Olympics

Italy has a rich history at the Winter Olympics, having hosted the Games twice before – Cortina d’Ampezzo in 1956 and Turin in 2006.

* 1956 Cortina d’Ampezzo: Italy secured 5 gold medals, finishing 5th in the medal table.

* 2006 Turin: Italy achieved its best-ever Winter Olympics performance, winning 11 gold medals and finishing 2nd overall.

These past successes provide a foundation of experience and inspire the current generation of athletes. The 2026 Games represent an possibility to build on this legacy and further solidify Italy’s position as a winter sports powerhouse.

Economic & Social Impact

The ‘Milan Winter Olympics’ are expected to generate a significant economic boost for the region. Infrastructure improvements,increased tourism,and job creation are all anticipated benefits. Beyond the economic impact, the Games are also expected to promote a sense of national pride and inspire a new generation of athletes. The event is also focusing on sustainability, aiming to minimize its environmental footprint and promote responsible tourism.

Ticketing & Spectator Information

Tickets for the ‘Milan Winter Olympics’ are available through the official website (tickets.milano-cortina2026.com). Demand is expected to be high, so early booking is recommended. Spectators can look forward to a vibrant atmosphere, world-class competition, and a chance to experience the best of Italian culture. Transportation options to and from venues are being optimized to ensure a smooth experience for attendees.

Legacy & Future Growth

The long-term vision extends beyond the two weeks of competition. The ‘Milan Winter Olympics’ are intended to leave a lasting legacy for the region, including:

* Improved Infrastructure: Upgrades to transportation networks, sporting facilities, and accomodation options.

* increased Sports Participation: Initiatives to encourage greater participation in winter sports at all levels.

* Sustainable Tourism: Promoting responsible tourism practices that protect the environment and benefit local communities.

* Economic Growth: Attracting investment and creating new opportunities for businesses.

The ‘Milan Winter Olympics’ promise to be a festivity of athletic achievement, cultural exchange, and national pride. With a clear goal of ‘3 or more gold medals and TOP 10’, the Italian team is determined to deliver a memorable Games for both the nation and the world.