The Winter Olympics are kicking off this Friday, February 6th, with the highly anticipated opening ceremony! While the official start is just moments away, my mind is already wandering through the majestic peaks of the Italian Alps and the bustling streets of Milan. There is something magical about the Winter Games that the Summer edition just can't replicate.
The Logistical Labyrinth: Ice, Snow, and City Lights
I’ve always maintained that choosing a host for the Winter Games is a far more complex puzzle than for the Summer Games. You could argue it’s "smaller" in scale—we’re looking at roughly 2,900 athletes compared to the 10,000+ who descend upon the summer host city. There are fewer sports and fewer countries involved, but the technical requirements are immense.
Think about it: many of the premier events, like the biathlon, alpine skiing, and cross-country, take place entirely outdoors. In theory, you just need a mountain and some luck with the weather, right? Well, not exactly. As I’ve observed over the years, the challenge is snow reliability. In an era of unpredictable winters, organizers are forced to innovate.
This has led to the "hub and spoke" model we see in Italy this year. We have Milan acting as the urban heart, hosting the indoor sports like ice hockey and figure skating, while Cortina d'Ampezzo handles the snow. This is a brilliant strategic move. By using a major city, you solve the massive headache of accommodation and transport for the thousands of supporters. The city gets a post-Olympic boost, and the mountain resorts aren't overwhelmed by infrastructure they won't use later. Plus, let's not forget the cost of the "frozen" sports. Maintaining a perfect sheet of ice for curling or long-track speed skating requires high-tech, energy-intensive facilities that are often more expensive to run than a standard stadium.
A Belgian Evolution: A Trip Down Memory Lane
My first memories of the Winter Games are a strange mix of vague and crystal clear. I remember sitting in my room as a kid in the 80s, staring at a tiny black-and-white television. I was absolutely mesmerized by ice hockey. There was something about the grainy footage, the sliding puck, and the sheer speed that felt like it was from another world.
Back then, being a winter sports fan in Belgium was a lonely hobby. Let's be honest: Belgium was not a winter sports nation. We have no mountains (barely any hills!), inconsistent snow at best, and at that time, we lacked even a single world-class skating rink. It felt like a minor miracle if we even had one lone athlete qualify just to show up and participate. We didn't watch to see Belgium win; we watched for the spectacle, usually ending up cheering for our neighbors from the Netherlands because, well, they actually had skates.
Fast forward to 2026, and the transformation is incredible. While much of this progress is still fueled by the incredible personal investments of the athletes and their families, the infrastructure has finally started to catch up. We aren't the "underdogs who are just happy to be there" anymore.
The Belgian Powerhouse: Who to Watch?
In 2022, we secured one gold and one bronze, which felt like a massive breakthrough. This year, the stakes are even higher. We are sending a, record breakinh, delegation of about 30 athletes, and for the first time, we have genuine "medal stress."
Bart Swings (Speed Skating): Our king of the ice. As the reigning Olympic champion in the mass start, the pressure on him is immense. Can he do the double?
Loena Hendrickx & Nina Pinzarrone (Figure Skating): This is a golden era for Belgian figure skating. Loena is at the absolute peak of her powers, and Nina is nipping at her heels. Having two Belgians in the world’s top tier is something I never thought I’d see back in the 80s.
Hanne Desmet (Short Track): She is a pure warrior. Short track is chaotic and unpredictable, but Hanne has the grit to navigate the madness. Her brother Stijn is also one to watch—the Desmet family might need a bigger trophy cabinet after this month!
Kim Meylemans (Skeleton): After the heartbreaking COVID isolation she endured in Beijing, Kim is back with a vengeance. She has been flying down the tracks this season, and a medal would be the ultimate redemption story.
I'll be checking my agenda constantly to make sure I don't miss the skeleton, the biathlon, and yes, I might even get sucked into the strategic drama of curling!
The "Miracle" and the "Dogg"
Finally, I have to mention the two wildcards of these Games. First, there's Snoop Dogg. After his legendary appearance in Paris, NBC has brought him back as a special correspondent. I can't wait to see his take on the "cold" sports. Seeing Snoop in a floor-length faux-fur coat trying to explain the physics of a curling stone is exactly the kind of content 2026 needs.
Then, there is the legend herself, Lindsey Vonn. The news from last weekend was devastating: a torn ACL during a World Cup run. For any other 41-year-old, that’s a career-ender. But Vonn is built differently. She is still planning to line up for the downhill this Sunday. If she finishes the race, it’s a miracle of medicine and willpower. If she somehow makes it to the podium? I think the sports world might actually break.
What are your predictions? Can Belgium beat its record of two medals, or will we come home empty-handed? And who else is ready for the Snoop Dogg winter fashion show?
Cheers,
Peter