As the Milano-Cortina Olympics open on Friday, many athletes have already checked into the Olympic village. The Swedish delegation of 48 hockey players and three figure skaters has settled in Milano, aware it's no luxury hotel. Athletes prepared for basic conditions with hard beds.
The Milano-Cortina d'Ampezzo Olympics officially start on Friday, February 6, 2026, but many athletes have already moved into the Olympic village in Milano. SVT Sport visited the village, offering a glimpse behind the scenes in one of the sports world's most secretive places. The report shows how athletes live and relax between competitions, from gaming rooms to meditation areas. One athlete is noted to have adopted two plants in the village, a small detail highlighting the everyday atmosphere ahead of the games. The Swedish delegation consists of 48 hockey players and three figure skaters, well aware that the facilities do not offer luxury. “We had prepared for the worst. The bar was low,” Ida Karlsson of the women's national team told Dagens Nyheter. Despite hard beds, the athletes are adjusting to the conditions, with focus on preparations for the competitions. The Milano village is central for many Swedish athletes, who are now settling in for the upcoming Winter Olympics.