The United States mixed doubles curling team of Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin are 4-0 after two days of competition at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics following wins over Canada and Czechia on Friday. Thiesse and Dropkin began their day by defeating Canada's Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman 7-5 in a tight battle at Cortina Olympic Stadium.

After a 2022 Olympic performance that saw a high total medal count but a 30-year low in gold finishes, Team Canada is looking to put more athletes on the podium at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games. These charts show how Canada stacks up against its competition.

The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are underway after the lighting of the Olympic cauldrons and the Parade of Nations at the opening ceremony.

Of the 19 staff members polled, nine think Canada will bring home the gold medal. Six staffers think the United States can win its first gold medal in men's hockey since the 1980 "Miracle On Ice," while four believe Sweden can repeat its gold-medal performance from 2008 in Turin, Italy.

While all Olympic athletes are expected to play and perform under pressure, Canada’s historical successes at the Winter Games have created heightened expectations.