The 2026 Winter Olympics moved into a critical pre-competition phase between 1 and 5 February 2026, as athletes, officials, and national delegations completed official training sessions, team arrivals, and venue testing ahead of the opening of medal competition. The Games, officially titled Milano Cortina 2026, are organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in coordination with local organising authorities across northern Italy.
This preparatory window is a standard and mandatory component of the Olympic schedule, allowing athletes to transition into the Olympic environment, test competition venues under controlled conditions, and finalise logistical and technical arrangements before official events begin.
Athlete Arrivals and Accreditation Procedures
From 1 February onward, national Olympic teams began arriving at designated Olympic Villages across the host regions. Athletes, coaches, and support staff completed accreditation, medical checks, equipment inspections, and orientation briefings required for participation in the Games.
National Olympic Committees managed phased arrivals to align with training allocations and venue access schedules. Transport systems linking airports, villages, and competition venues were tested during this period to ensure reliability ahead of peak competition days.
Team leaders’ meetings and technical briefings were also conducted, providing final clarifications on competition rules, schedules, and operational protocols.
Official Training and Venue Familiarisation
Between 1 and 5 February, official training sessions were conducted across all competition venues, including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, ice sports, sliding disciplines, and indoor events. These sessions are strictly regulated by international federations and Olympic guidelines, ensuring equal access and fair preparation opportunities for all qualified athletes.
Training during this phase focuses on venue-specific adaptation rather than conditioning. Athletes test snow and ice characteristics, lighting, temperature control, and course layouts, while coaches evaluate tactical adjustments required for each venue.
Equipment calibration is a major priority, particularly in sports such as alpine skiing, speed skating, luge, bobsleigh, and cross-country skiing, where marginal gains can be decisive. Any approved equipment modifications must be completed during this window, as changes are restricted once competition begins.
Venue Testing and Operational Readiness
The 1–5 February period also served as a final venue readiness test for organisers. Timing systems, broadcast infrastructure, athlete flow, security procedures, and medical response protocols were evaluated under near-competition conditions.
International technical officials from each sport’s governing body were present to certify that venues met Olympic and federation standards. Any final adjustments identified during testing were addressed immediately, ensuring venues were fully competition-ready before the first medal events.
These rehearsals are considered essential to maintaining Olympic competition integrity and athlete safety.
Federation Oversight and Competitive Integrity
Each sport’s international federation worked alongside the Milano Cortina Organising Committee to oversee training schedules, enforce equipment regulations, and monitor compliance with Olympic rules. Anti-doping education sessions and testing protocols were also in place during this phase, reinforcing fair-play standards before competition begins.
For athletes, this period represents a psychological transition from preparation to performance. Training volume is typically reduced, with emphasis placed on confidence, rhythm, and mental readiness.
Importance of the Pre-Competition Phase
The 1–5 February pre-competition window is fundamental to the success of the Olympic Games. It allows athletes to perform safely and fairly, organisers to confirm operational readiness, and officials to finalise competition frameworks.
As Milano Cortina 2026 approached the start of official competition, the completion of training, arrivals, and venue testing during this period marked the final step before the world’s top winter athletes turned their focus fully to Olympic medal events.