2026 Milan Cortina Olympics: A Global Showcase of Athletes from 92 National Olympic Committees
Athletes from around the world are gearing up for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. The highly anticipated event will kick off with the Opening Ceremony, where participants will proudly march under their national flags. This ceremony not only showcases the athletes' dedication to representing their countries but also introduces viewers to nations they may not have been familiar with before.
A total of 92 National Olympic Committees will be sending 2,900 athletes to compete in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. In addition to these participants, there will be "Individual Neutral Athletes" from Russia and Belarus, who will compete under the AIN name due to Russia's involvement in the war with Ukraine. The International Olympic Committee and the International Sport Federation oversee the 206 National Olympic Committees globally, recognizing them as official participants in the Summer and Winter Games.
Three countries, namely Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and the United Arab Emirates, will be making their Winter Olympics debut at the Milan Cortina Games. However, seven National Olympic Committees that took part in the 2022 Beijing Olympics will not be present at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. These include American Samoa, Belarus, Ghana, Peru, Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), Timor-Leste, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The 92 National Olympic Committees heading to the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics represent a diverse array of countries from around the world. Athletes from these nations will come together to compete in various winter sports, showcasing their skills and sportsmanship on the global stage.