One Meter from the Finish Line
In sports, one meter can change everything. A missed jump, a wide turn, a second late... and the race is already over. Athletes know it well: victory is often played—and lost—in that very last meter.
To learn more about the 2026 Winter Games, click here.
It's the same in life. There's a victory we strive for every day: a little peace, a job that holds up, solid relationships, the strength to move forward. Sometimes it takes very little... yet that "meter" always seems missing. When reaching the finish line seems impossible, a new perspective can emerge from the very struggle: that of faith.
Faith, understood as trust in the Gospel of Jesus, doesn't ask you to overcome your limits, but invites you to resume your journey with serenity. Transform the missing distance not into an obstacle, but into an opportunity to begin again with a new peace.
In these pages, you'll find ideas and paths that can transform that missing meter into a new possibility.
Sports and participation
There will be 116 medals in 16 disciplines.
Approximately 2,900 athletes from 90 countries are expected.
Ski mountaineering will make its Olympic debut.
Important Dates & Overview
Important Dates
Games Period: February 6–22, 2026.
First Competition (Pre-Games):
February 4, 2026 — Start of the mixed doubles curling round-robin.
Opening Ceremony: February 6, 2026 (Milan).
First Medals Awarded: February 7, 2026 — First Finals (Men's Downhill & Snowboard Big Air).
Bustest Day: February 21, 2026 — Approximately 10 finals, figure skating gala.
Final Day & Closing Ceremony: February 22, 2026 — Finals for Men's Hockey, Women's Curling, 50km Cross-Country Skiing, and Four-Man Bobsleigh, Ceremony at the Verona Arena.
...not to be missed
February 7: First medals of the Games
February 10: Mixed doubles curling finals + key events in alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, figure skating, and freestyle
February 21: Biggest final day (approximately 10 medals); figure skating gala
February 22 (Final Day):
Women's curling final
Men's hockey final
Cross-country skiing: Women's 50 km classic technique (historical)
Four-man bobsleigh — final heats
Closing Ceremony at the Verona Arena
Testimonials
Olympic Athletes
Are there Christian athletes participating in the Winter Games?
Yes, many Christian athletes have participated in the Winter Games, and their faith is often an integral part of their public identity. Notable examples include U.S. hockey players Gigi Marvin and Nicole Hensley, bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor, and Canadian hockey player Eric Staal, all of whom have spoken out about their Christian faith.
Alberto Tomba is a former Christian athlete who became the first alpine skier to win medals in three Winter Olympics. Alberto Tomba was born in a non-Alpine area of Italy, near Bologna. He was a natural athlete and, after considering a career in several sports, opted for alpine skiing.
A Christian Perspective on the 2026 Games
Administration and care of creation
Unity and global community
Testimony and service
Potential pitfalls and ethical issues
Celebration and joy
Administration and care of creation
From a Christian perspective, caring for God's creation is a responsibility (see Genesis 2:15). The sustainability efforts for the 2026 Games, which include renovating existing facilities, building energy-efficient architecture, and minimizing environmental impact, can be considered good stewardship of the Alpine natural environment.
The torch relay's journey through many regions could also be an opportunity to emphasize respect for the environment, community, and equity—themes that resonate with Christian ethics.
Unity and global community
The Games are fundamentally intended to unite nations in peaceful competition, reflecting the Christian ideals of unity and love for one another ("There is neither Jew nor Greek... we are all one in Christ" - Galatians 3:28).
For Christians watching or participating, it is an opportunity to pray for the athletes, celebrate excellence, and build bridges between cultures.
Testimony and service
Christian athletes and spectators can view the Games as a platform for witness, not only in sport but also in moral terms. Qualities such as humility in victory, grace in defeat, teamwork, and discipline are profoundly Christian virtues.
Churches or Christian organizations could organize prayer walks, viewing parties, or small group discussions during the Games, using them as a way to engage the broader community in faith.
Potential pitfalls and ethical issues
Commercialism: The Games are heavily commercialized. Christians may struggle with tensions between the commodification of sport and the virtue of simplicity or purity of motivation.
Idolatry of Sport: There is a risk of elevating sporting achievements to an idol: Christians should maintain perspective, remembering that ultimate value is not found in medals.
Social Justice and Inequality: Major sporting events can highlight wealth disparities. Christians committed to justice could reflect on who benefits from the Games, who is marginalized, and how resources are allocated.
Pressure on Athletes: High-pressure environments can lead to burnout, mental health issues, or unethical behavior. Christians could emphasize prayer, pastoral care, or mentoring for athletes.
Celebration and joy
The Games can be a time of celebration: rejoicing in human creativity, strength, and perseverance is not intrinsically at odds with the Christian faith.
Beauty in Action (which is also the theme of the closing ceremony) can resonate with Christian theology: the idea that the beauty created by God is part of how we glorify Him and that human excellence in sport can reflect God's creativity.
Winter games in the snow
Skiing, snowboarding and much more
These are the sports that will participate in the 2026 Winter Games:
Alpine Skiing
Biathlon
Bobsleigh
Skeleton
Luge
Cross-Country Skiing
Nordic Combined
Ski Jumping
Freestyle Skiing
Ice Hockey
Figure Skating
Speed Skating
Short Track
Snowboarding
Curling
Ski Mountaineering (new discipline for 2026)
