Curlers Captivated by Cortina’s Dramatic Scenery (Image Credits: Flickr)
Northern Italy – U.S. athletes arrived at scattered Olympic villages this week, settling into accommodations surrounded by alpine beauty and urban energy as the Winter Games approach.
Curlers Captivated by Cortina’s Dramatic Scenery
Cory Thiesse, a mixed doubles curler from Minnesota, stepped into the Fiames athletes’ village near Cortina d’Ampezzo under cover of night. She caught glimpses of the surrounding mountains then, but the full view hit her the next morning.[1]
“Opening the door that first morning – we are really in the middle of the mountains living. It’s amazing,” Thiesse said. Her partner, Korey Dropkin from Massachusetts, called the ski resort town picturesque. “It’s exactly what you think of when you’re playing and competing at the Winter Olympics. It is picturesque no matter where you are or where you go,” he added. The pair praised the village setup, including solid accommodations and quality food that fueled their training sessions.[2]
Figure Skaters Unwind in Milan’s Green Retreat
In Milan’s urban Olympic village, figure skaters mingled with hockey players and speedskaters amid a vibrant cafeteria scene. Ilia Malinin, a first-time Olympian from Virginia, marveled at the diversity. “It’s so cool going into a cafeteria and seeing so many team jackets,” he said. “I really never imagined [seeing] so many athletes of different sports and different kinds being in the same area.”[1]
Madison Chock, an ice dancer from California, discovered a serene escape in the greenhouse-like athlete lounge. Calming music filled the space, and athletes could adopt plants to nurture back in their rooms. “You can just go in there and relax and listen to calming music. And then you can also take a little plant back to your room and feed it and water, sunlight,” Chock explained. “I was pleasantly surprised that we could foster plants in the village – it was a nice little touch.” These features offered a touch of nature in the city environment.
Snowboarders Fuel Up on Livigno’s Pizza Bounty
Livigno, a mountain town hugging the Swiss border, became a carb-loading paradise for U.S. women’s big air and slopestyle snowboarders. Lily Dhawornvej from Colorado admitted to devouring seven pizza slices in one dinner sitting. “That’s all I’ve been eating,” she said.[1]
Hahna Norman of California joined the fun, sharing a pizza with Austria’s Anna Gasser, a two-time Olympic champion. “Post-big air practice, we all got together in the food hall and played cards and ate pizza… The carbo load is going great,” Norman reported. Teammate Jess Perlmutter from New Jersey went further, polishing off two pizzas alongside standout pasta and gelato – all gluten-free. “Italy’s like one of the best places for gluten-free food – surprisingly so,” she noted. The group described their time as top-notch.
A Glimpse into the Games’ Unique Village Setup
Milano Cortina 2026 organizers opted for a decentralized model with six villages, including those in Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and Livigno, spread across northern Italy’s competition clusters. Facilities featured beds, gyms, laundry services, medical support, and bustling cafeterias where pasta outshone steamed vegetables.[3]
Athletes traded pins, snapped selfies at Olympic Rings, and savored Italian cuisine, fostering connections across nations. The setup blended new builds, temporary units, and hotels tailored to remote alpine sites and city hubs.
| Village | Sport Focus | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Cortina (Fiames) | Curling | Mountain vistas |
| Milan | Figure Skating | Plant-fostering lounge |
| Livigno | Snowboarding | Pizza feasts |
Key Takeaways
- Team USA athletes highlighted natural beauty and thoughtful amenities in their villages.
- Food emerged as a highlight, from carb-heavy pizzas to gluten-free surprises.
- Interactions in shared spaces built excitement ahead of the Feb. 6 opening.
As Team USA acclimates to these Italian havens, the stage sets for medal pursuits amid world-class backdrops. The villages remind everyone why the Olympics endure: shared moments fueling elite performance. What village perk stands out to you? Share in the comments.
