In this section, you’ll find a wealth of original information gleaned throughout the day, live from the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina: behind the scenes, little sayings, details that slip under the radar… In short, everything that makes the Olympic event come alive as closely as possible, beyond the results.
Juergen Klopp rings the relay bell
As the last shot was fired, the bell rang in the Antholz stadium. But this time, it wasn’t just anyone who launched the biathletes into their final round. It was German football coach Juergen Klopp who rang the bell.
Jürgen Klopp rings the bell: the final lap of the relay is underway and you can watch it in full on Eurosport and HBO Max! #MilanoCortina2026 https://t.co/nGo9OfjwpW pic.twitter.com/R6tGzJwd80– Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) February 17, 2026
The man is famous for taking England’s Liverpool team to the roof of Europe by winning the Champions League in 2019. Currently without a club, the 58-year-old former footballer made a name for himself at Antholz, where Germany unfortunately failed to reach the podium.
“I don’t understand how he can stand up straight”.
On Tuesday evening, Norway won bronze in the team ski jumping competition. A reward for Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal but above all for his compatriot Johann André Forfang. The 30-year-old jumper lost his father just before the Olympic Games. By postponing the farewell ceremonies, he fulfilled the deceased’s last wish, which was for his son to be present at the event.
He has not seen his family since that tragic moment, as he was competing with his team, and is supported from a distance by his fiancé and son. She testifies to her enormous mental strength. “It means a lot to the whole family. I really don’t understand how he’s been able to hold it together after everything he’s been through in the last year,” Kristin Solberg told NRK. The mere fact that he’s qualified for the Olympics is already a victory, but the fact that he’s going home tomorrow with a medal is absolutely incredible. He’s the strongest, kindest and most caring person I know, and he takes care of everyone around him, especially Herman and myself when he’s away.”
She’ll be able to see him again very soon, with his medal around his neck. “These last few weeks, supporting him only by telephone has been a difficult and painful ordeal. I can’t wait to give him a big hug at the airport tomorrow.
Snow threatens to hamper Thursday’s events
Heavy rain is forecast this Thursday in Val di Fiemme, where the Nordic combined races are due to be held. A total of 27 millimetres of rain is forecast throughout the day.
The weather forecast calls for a few hours of positive temperatures in the middle of the day, which could turn the snow into water. “I can’t wait to see the mud, but the terrain has to be fair. That’s the most important thing. Then we’ll see,” says Ivar Stuan, Norwegian sports manager for the combined event.
The Scandinavian clan is delighted with the situation. “I hope we’ll have a demanding chase. I like that. We have excellent quality lubricants and a very efficient support system. The more complicated the task, the greater our advantages,” adds Stuan.
“I can’t see myself going much further”: Laurent Mehlethaler on the road to retirement?
Laurent Mehlethaler, who finished 20th in the pursuit on Tuesday, was hugely disappointed. I didn’t enjoy myself at all,” he told L’Equipe. I’m stuck on the track, I’ve got nothing in the bag. I can’t enjoy myself but I gave it my all. It’s a snapshot but I can’t see myself going much further.
A view not shared by his team-mate Marco Heinis, who finished 14th. “I really enjoyed myself on the skis. It was a good race. You had to measure yourself against the others on the first lap. We started off strongly with the Germans but in the end I finished with them. I didn’t want to start too strong and explode. It’s races like that that will help me grow.
Experience was also gained by Maël Tyrode, 17th, who didn’t even think he’d be in the Olympics at the start of the winter. “Honestly, it was a great race, it was great. I said to myself that it would be good to finish in the top 20, and it was more than doable. At the start of the week, we wanted to show the best of ourselves and today, for me, that’s the case. It’s a complete combination, at my level.
“It really hurts”, Johannes Lamparter furious at not being able to celebrate the silverware with his family and supporters
Second in Tuesday’s combined behind Jens Luraas Oftebro, Austria’s Johannes Lamparter crossed the finish line out of breath. Well aware of the Norwegian’s domination, he savoured his medal. “I’m proud, even if the first medal was more emotional. I can’t be disappointed with second place. Jens is very strong,” Lamparter told kleinezeitung.
However, the 24-year-old champion regretted that he had not been able to celebrate with his family at the finish, as officials had refused him access to the area where his loved ones were. A decision he found “incomprehensible”. He explains: “It’s really hard. It’s like all my emotions are being ripped away from me. I don’t even have the right to go and thank them. So many people come here for me, and then I win a medal and I’m not allowed to hug them.
