Italy Prepares Vast Urban Overhaul for Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026, will be hosted across two Italian cities, Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, marking the first Winter Games spread over multiple cities and regions. Milan is undergoing significant urban redevelopment, including the construction of a new Olympic Village designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which will serve as athlete housing during the Games and later convert to affordable housing and public spaces. On the athletic front, Canada's women's hockey team is adapting to a new preparation model ahead of the Games due to the establishment of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Instead of the traditional six-month centralization in Calgary, players will now train in three defined blocks across Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal, aligning with their PWHL schedules. Team Canada veterans, including captain Marie-Philip Poulin, express confidence in the new approach, noting that the professional league provides intense competition that enhances player readiness. This adjustment reflects a broader shift in Olympic preparation, leveraging the PWHL’s expanded season and elevated play level to maintain Canada’s status as a top contender in women’s hockey.