The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony kicks off across Milan, Livigno, Predazzo, and Cortina, marking the start of the Games at 6 a.m. AEDT (8 p.m. local time in Italy).
Australian Flag Bearers Lead the Charge
Mogul skiers Jakara Anthony and Matt Graham serve as Australia’s flag bearers for the opening ceremony. Australian chef de mission Alisa Camplin announced the selection during an event in Livigno, the hub for freestyle skiing and snowboarding competitions.
The 53-member Australian team gathers primarily in Livigno, with others positioned in Milan, Predazzo, and Cortina. Not all athletes participate in the march due to event scheduling conflicts.
Daisy Thomas Withdraws After Practice Crash
Australian teenager Daisy Thomas pulls out of the women’s freeski slopestyle qualifying after crashing during Friday’s practice at the Livigno course. The fall on the final jump re-aggravates her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), originally ruptured in November.
Thomas returned to competition in January to qualify for her Olympic debut. MRI scans assess the damage, but she remains committed to the women’s freeski big air event starting February 14.
Ski Jumpers Under Scrutiny for Suit Enhancements
Reports suggest men’s ski jumpers use hyaluronic acid injections to enlarge their anatomy, allowing larger, tailored suits that could improve aerodynamic performance. A bigger crotch area in suits may provide a competitive edge toward gold medals.
German newspaper Bild highlights the practice, prompting the World Anti-Doping Agency to investigate potential violations ahead of the events.
