The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy officially began with an opening ceremony, but the event was quickly overshadowed by protests and political discussions. Demonstrations near an ice hockey rink in Milan led to clashes between police and protesters, while some Team USA athletes shared their thoughts on representing the United States amidst a tumultuous political climate, according to multiple news sources.
Competition at the Milano Cortina Games began on February 4 and is scheduled to continue through the closing ceremony on February 22, with the Paralympics to follow in March. The venues in Italy are six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and nine hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time, according to CBS News. The schedule for Sunday, February 8, includes alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn's first downhill run.
A group calling itself the Unsustainable Olympics Committee organized demonstrations, highlighting concerns about the environmental, economic, and social impact of the games, as reported by Fox News. Demonstrators also protested the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Italy. The clash with police occurred near Milan's Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
Team USA athletes, while generally avoiding direct criticism, expressed their views on the political climate. "I love the USA, and I think I would never want to represent a different country in the Olympics. With that being said, you know, a lot of times athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things. I feel heartbroken about what's happened in the United States," Team USA freestyle skier Chris Lillis told journalists on Friday, according to CBS News, referencing ICE's actions in Minneapolis and the protests against them.
In other news, the true crime show "48 Hours" aired on Saturday, February 7, 2026, on CBS, according to CBS News. The show's 38th season premiered on September 27, 2025.
Meanwhile, thousands of homes remained without power across Mississippi on Saturday afternoon, two weeks after an ice storm, according to the New York Times. The storm downed trees, toppled power lines, and killed at least 29 people statewide. Local utilities had yet to restore electricity to around 15,000 customers concentrated around Lafayette County and Oxford.
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