As Ukrainian athletes prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics, they will seek to boost the morale of their compatriots in Ukraine amid an ongoing war and a brutal winter.

Ninety-two national teams entered in alphabetical order, with Greece leading the procession in keeping with Olympic tradition. Ukraine marched 85th. Short track speedskater Yelyzaveta Sydorko carried the Ukrainian flag at San Siro.

Ukraine’s Winter Olympics flag bearer Vladyslav Heraskevych says that his teammates could stage protests at the Milan Cortina Games over the decision to allow neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in Italy.

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, mark a historic moment for the Games. Not only because Italy is hosting for the first time since Torino 2006, but because these Olympics will be taking place in multiple locations, with venues scattered across the Italian Alps and Dolomites.

Italy announced on Wednesday that it had successfully stopped a wave of cyberattacks aimed at disrupting the 2026 Winter Olympics. The attacks struck just hours before the opening ceremony in Milan. They highlighted the growing threat of cyber incidents at major international sporting events.

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

• Let the games begin: Italian President Sergio Mattarella declared the 2026 Winter Olympics open. Two cauldrons — one in Milan and one in Cortina — have been lit, marking a first in the Winter Games’ history. Oh here we go, biggest cheer of the night goes to Mariah Carey! Out come the camera phones.