Life is busy and full of issues that require our attention. Keeping track of Olympic related news is even more difficult. There are 206 recognized National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and around 40 recognized federations with sports in either the Summer or Winter Olympics. Preparations are underway in some form or another for the next five Olympics. It’s my hope to use Media Village articles to collect and share news stories related to the Olympics from a variety of sources that may be of interest to others. Some articles may be about preparations, athletes, events, history, or Olympic-adjacent topics. I may sneak in an unrelated topic that is fun or amusing for the heck of it. I hope to put articles out multiple times a week. With that, let’s get to it.
The final countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics will start on November 26th. At 11 am CET (5 AM on the US East Coast), the flame for Milano Cortina will be lit. The torch will travel around Greece until arriving in Athens on December 4th for the hand over to the Milan Cortina Organizing Committee. From their it will head to Rome for the two month relay through Italy.
The Milano Cortina Opening Ceremony will be innovative to say the least. In order to integrate at different cluster sites into the festivities each site will feature a parade of nations. NOCs can choose to have their flagbearers at any of the sites. Additionally, for the first time ever two separate cauldrons will be lit in two separate cities simultaneously. SHould be fun to watch.
Milan-Cortina 2026 unveils official posters for Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games (AP)
The art associated the various Olympics is so fascinating. It can tell you so much about a host city’s culture and the moment in time the games are being hosted in. Sometimes it is incomprehensible. The posters for the Milano Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Games will be featured. The posters will be on display at various venues and the Triennale di Milano museum. Here’s what they look like:
Mikaela Shiffrin to focus on her best 3 events for 2026 Olympics (The Athletic $)
Shiffrin will again be one of the most watched American athletes at the upcoming Winter Olympics. Her 2024 campaign was traumatic and is still impacting her. Focusing on the Slalom, Giant Slalom, and team event, her program at Milano Cortina will be about half of what it was in Beijing. Focusing on her best events like provides her with a good opportunity to bounce back from her 2022 performance. It will also give other members of Team USA an opportunity to shine as well.
Already a Queer Icon, Amber Glenn Is Chasing Milan Olympic Dreams Next (Sports Illustrated)
Amber Glenn came so close to making Team USA for the Olympic Games. Despite withdrawing from the 2022 US Championships with COVID, she was name an alternate. In the time between the games, she has won the last two national titles among other competitions and looks to be in good form to make Team USA for the upcoming games at 25. Regardless of what comes next, she has already shown a tremendous amount of strength and resiliency.
LA28, Oklahoma City mark 1,000 days to Games, confirm softball, canoe slalom venues (Reuters)
Wednesday marked the 1,000 days mark for the start of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The LA2028 organizers marked the moment in Oklahoma City, where softball and canoe slalom events.
For the last Olympics, USA Track and Field had a list of no fewer than eight people who had a hand in selecting the relay teams. With that many people involved in the process its not wonder there was some dysfunction. For this year, USATF cut it down to two. The results after last month’s World Championships were encouraging. Hopefully, USATF can keep the momentum over the next three years and turn in a stellar performance on home turf,
Marathon record holder Chepngetich given three-year ban (BBC Sport)
While the ban doesn’t void Ruth Chepngetich’s 2024 record marathon time, she remains under investigation due to possible evidence of going further back in time on her phone.
Updated IOC report shows 86 per cent of all permanent Olympic venues still in use (Olympics.com)
Photos from some of the recent hosts of newly constructed facilities in states of disuse, disrepair, and decay are huge discouragements for cities thinking of bidding on the Olympics. Highlighting the enduring and sustainable nature of most of these facilities is key for the long term strength and survival of the Games.
That’s it for now. Until next time.
Days Remaining Until the Start of the Milano Cortina Games: 105
Days Remaining Until the Start of the Los Angeles Games: 994
Following The Cauldron 
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