Frida Karlsson took home the first women's gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics in the cross-country skiathlon. Karlsson held a commanding lead throughout the final few laps of the 20-kilometer race.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are officially underway after Friday's Opening Ceremony festivities at Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium in Milan, Italy.

On the San Siro stage, Ghali brought his Milanese edge to the Milano‑Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, turning a quiet poem into a moment that pulsed with culture, reflection and unexpected power.

MILAN (AP) — The performance by pop star Mariah Carey at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony was the talk of the town — but it also raised a few questions. The rendition by the American singer of Italian classic “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu” — better known as “Volare" — was a showstopping highlight in the 3½-hour spectacle that kicked off the Games.

A rousing Opening Ceremony that included everything from dancing musical notes to massive paint tubes to massive flying Olympic rings to Mariah Carey ended with a dramatic reveal as Italian legends Sofia Goggia, Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni lit the two torches that will burn for the length of the Winter Olympics.