After a four-year wait, the Winter Olympics are returning.
Top athletes from across the globe will gather in Italy for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. They will compete with hopes of winning medals. While well-known sports like figure skating, downhill skiing, and ice hockey will be featured, some lesser-known events will also take place. A brand-new sport will be introduced, offering fans a fresh experience.
Before the competitions begin, here is a brief guide to the rules of some key Winter Olympic sports.
Alpine Skiing
Alpine skiing includes four main races: downhill, Super-G, slalom, and giant slalom. There is also a combined event, which mixes downhill and slalom, plus a team event.
Skiers must pass through gates set along the course. Missing a gate results in disqualification. While skiers can try to go back uphill to pass a missed gate, the time lost usually means they cannot finish with a competitive time.
Biathlon
Biathlon mixes cross-country skiing with rifle shooting.
Events can start in different ways, such as interval starts, pursuit starts, or mass starts. Athletes race to achieve the fastest times. Their shooting results affect their final time, as missed targets lead to time penalties.