The Winter Olympics began with a rare dual-city opening in Italy, with Greece leading tradition at the 25th Winter Games.

The Olympics have a rich history. Check out more information on their prolific past, promising present, future forecast, and more.

APTOPIX Greece Olympics Milan Cortina Flame Lighting High Priestess Mary Mina, left, lights a torch from the Olympic flame during the flame lighting ceremony for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, at the archaeological museum of Olympia, Greece ...

Competing at any Olympic Games is a lifetime memory itself. Getting to be the first athletes out during the Opening Ceremony only adds to the moment. Two athletes will have the honor of not only leading out their country during the Parade of Nations at the ...

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece (AP) — At a temple in Ancient Olympia, a flame is drawn from the sun to begin its journey to the Winter Games. The choreographed ceremony inspired by ancient Greece is designed to link the original games to today’s global ...

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece (AP) — Even the gods need a backup plan. Organizers in Ancient Olympia held an emergency rehearsal Monday to light the flame for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games, seizing on a brief break in Greece’s stormy weather.

From the Games’ Greek origins to their first foray into Asia, the Olympics are known for bringing nations from all around the world together to celebrate the very best in athletics.

Just imagine a Greek actress dressed in flowing robes standing before the ruins of an ancient temple, raising a parabolic mirror to the sky, and igniting a flame that will travel thousands of miles to light up the world’s biggest winter sports party.

The ancient Olympic games were crowded with male athletes, but were there opportunities for females to compete in sports?