As the Winter Olympics return, exhilarating speed-centric sports such as alpine skiing, luge and bobsleigh take the spotlight. But which is fastest? (AP photo)

The 2026 Winter Olympics are just around the corner. In a few days athletes from around the world will descend upon the Milano Cortana region of Italy to take on the slopes, hills, skating runs, and other elements of the Games.

For many decades, Olympic Games included "demonstration sports." Some, like curling, became part of the permanent roster. But others, like skijoring, didn't stick around.

GENEVA (AP) — Olympic winter sports must be played on snow and ice, according to the Olympic Charter. But could a muddy field of play get its chance at a future Winter Games, even as soon as in the French Alps in 2030 or Salt Lake City in 2034?

Where will the future Olympic Games be held? Here is a list of future Winter, Summer Olympics

A Swedish skier will make history as the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the Winter Olympic Games.

The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place on Feb. 6 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, and it will be the first time the Games will be jointly hosted.

Keep up with all the medals handed out during the 2026 Milano Cortina games.

Italy hopes that the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, which open on Friday, will give momentum to Rome's bid for the 2040 Summer Games. Sports Minister Andrea Abodi told the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper that if the next two weeks go well,

SEOUL, Feb 6 (Reuters) - North Korea has opened its national winter games, state media reported, as athletes from the reclusive state sit out the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics after failing to secure qualification spots.