The 2026 Winter Olympics: a student's guide

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As exam season came to a close, another reason for us to stay inside glued to our screens

arose - the Milan Winter Olympics.

This year the event spanned 16 days, including 16 sports,116 medal events and 2900

athletes. Live coverage was provided for up to 14 hours by the BBC every day.

But with attending, recovering and preparing for University, this is time many of us just don't have. That's why I’ve done the work for you! See my crash course below so next time you find yourself stuck in small talk with your flatmates, coursemates or even a hinge date, they might just believe that you actually watched it!

British Successes

2026 has been a step up for GB teams who won three gold medals (in the skeleton and

snowboarding), ending the nation's steadfast maximum of one gold per Winter Olympics.

Their success shocked many given that GB skeleton athletes spend as little as two and a

half hours training on ice each season, instead training at the UK’s only push-start track in

Bath. Forced to train fixed to rails and unable to corner, athletes must visit countries such as Norway and Latvia if they wish to get on the ice and practice seemingly death defying skills.

GB also celebrated its first gold from the snow, courtesy of Charlotte Bankes and Huw

Nightingale in the mixed team snowboard cross.

Even Sheffield found itself under the Olympic spotlight when figure skater Luke Digby (25)

debuted with his partner, having performed in his home city last month at the European

championships.

More Records

Dutch speed skaters Jutta Leerdam (also known for her engagement to Jake Paul) and

Femke Kok broke world records, securing gold and silver in the 1000m. Kok broke the

record first, holding the title briefly before Leerdam beat her time by 28 milliseconds, placing first. Kok also made record time achieving gold in the 500m.

Austrian Snowboarder Claudia Riegler (52) pushed boundaries for women becoming the

oldest female Olympian ever to compete at the Winter Olympics.

Scandals

This season has seen one scandal after another in the Olympic village, as the internet ran

wild just three days into the competition when news broke that all 10,000 free condoms

supplied at the games had run out. Adding to the online controversy, male ski jumpers have

come under investigation by the world anti-doping agency for injecting their genitals with

hyaluronic acid to improve aerodynamics.

Emotions were heightened when Norwegian olympian, now internet sensation, Sturla Holm

Laegreid cried on camera whilst admitting to cheating on ‘the love of his life’ moments after

winning a bronze medal in biathlon. Meanwhile, Canada's curling team came under fire for

using the “F-bomb” after Sweden accused them of cheating, citing video evidence that

allegedly backed this up - however no intervention was made and the Canadian team

claimed innocence.

As always, the Olympics proved eventful both on and off the camera. What was your favourite take-away?

Edited by Daisy Coombs