Local skaters say Julia Sauter, a national champion in Romania, had practiced trained for the past few years in both Alpharetta and Duluth.

Former captain of Romania’s national team and current head coach of Inter Milan, Cristi Chivu, carried the Olympic flame ahead of the official opening ceremony of the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games on Thursday,

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

Americans who top the podium at the Milan Cortina Games will be in line for a $37,500 bonus. Their competitors could collect as much as $800,000.