The wait is finally over. Following a spectacular, multi-city opening ceremony that illuminated the Italian night across Milan, Cortina, Livigno, and Predazzo, the 2026 Winter Olympics schedule officially shifts into high gear today, Saturday, February 7. As the Olympic flame burns bright, American fans are waking up early with high hopes, as Team USA launches its bid for gold in two of the Winter Games' most prestigious events. With the first full slate of competition underway, all eyes are on alpine skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle and cross-country legend Jessie Diggins to deliver the first podium finishes for the United States.

Ryan Cochran-Siegle Eyes Downhill Glory on the Stelvio

The first gold medal of the Milano Cortina Games will be decided on one of the most terrifying courses in the world: the Stelvio in Bormio. The men's downhill is the blue-ribbon event of alpine skiing, and Team USA has a legitimate contender in Ryan Cochran-Siegle. The 33-year-old Vermonter turned heads earlier this week by posting the fastest time in the opening training run, proving he has the speed to challenge the European heavyweights.

Ryan Cochran-Siegle downhill ambitions are backed by experience. After securing a silver medal in the Super-G at the Beijing 2022 Games, he is hunting for his first Olympic gold. However, the challenge is immense. He faces stiff competition from Switzerland's Marco Odermatt, the dominant force in men's skiing, and local Italian favorite Dominik Paris, who knows every bump of the icy Bormio track. If Cochran-Siegle can replicate his training form today, he could secure Team USA's first medal of the games.

Jessie Diggins Begins Her Final Olympic Campaign

Over in the Val di Fiemme, history is on the line for America's most decorated cross-country skier. The Jessie Diggins skiathlon is a headline event for Day 1, marking the start of what Diggins has confirmed will be her final Olympics. The 34-year-old Minnesota native is competing in the 20km skiathlon—a grueling race that combines 10km of classic skiing followed immediately by 10km of freestyle skating.

Diggins enters the race as a seasoned veteran with a target on her back. After her historic gold in 2018 and a full set of medals from 2022, she aims to cap her career with another golden moment. The course in Tesero is demanding, and rivals from Sweden and Norway will be fierce, but Diggins' trademark grit and sprint-finish ability make her a top contender for the podium. A win here would not only set the tone for the U.S. cross-country team but would also solidify her status as an all-time winter sports legend.

Figure Skating Team Event Heats Up

While the mountains host the races against the clock, the drama in Milan is unfolding on the ice. The Figure Skating Team Event continues today with the men's short program, featuring the Olympic debut of the "Quad God," Ilia Malinin. The reigning world champion is expected to bring his gravity-defying jumps to the Olympic stage for the first time, looking to maximize points for Team USA. With the Americans currently battling for the top spot against Japan and Italy, Malinin's performance is critical for Team USA gold medals aspirations in the team event, which concludes later this week.

Winter Olympics Day 1 Highlights and Other Events

Beyond the marquee matchups, Day 1 is packed with action across Northern Italy. The Milano Cortina 2026 results page will be filling up fast with several other sports kicking off their medal campaigns:

  • Speed Skating: The women's 3,000m is often a fortress for the Dutch, but American skaters are looking to disrupt the orange wave at the Fiera Milano Rho oval.
  • Women's Ice Hockey: Team USA continues its group stage dominance, facing a tough Finnish squad. The Americans are favored to reach the gold medal game, and every preliminary match is a step toward that showdown.
  • Mixed Doubles Curling: The U.S. duo returns to the ice for crucial round-robin matches against Great Britain and Korea, aiming to secure a semifinal berth.

Where to Watch Olympics 2026 Action Live

For fans in the United States, keeping up with the action requires navigating the time difference (Italy is 6 hours ahead of ET). Knowing where to watch Olympics 2026 events is key to catching the medals live. NBCUniversal is broadcasting wall-to-wall coverage, with the "Gold Zone" show on Peacock providing whip-around coverage of the most exciting moments as they happen.

Primetime coverage on NBC tonight will feature verified Winter Olympics Day 1 highlights, including the full runs from the men's downhill and the key moments from the figure skating rink. Whether you are streaming live in the early morning or watching the curated show in the evening, Day 1 promises to deliver the high-stakes drama that only the Winter Games can provide.