United States' Breezy Johnson, right, and fiancee Connor Watkins smile at each other as they are interviewed after he proposed to her at the end of an alpine ski, women's super-G race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. Credit: AP/Jacquelyn Martin

MILAN (AP) — This could turn out to be Italy’s best Winter Olympics ever after a record-breaking day on home snow and ice. The host nation picked up six medals on Sunday, the most Italy has ever won in a single day at the Winter Olympics.

Italy's Winter Olympics promised sustainability. But in Cortina, environmentalists warn the Games could scar these mountains for decades.

At least a dozen people have died in the Italian Alps in a single week, more than any other one-week period on record.

Italy has put in place a massive security operation for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics ahead of Friday's opening ceremony.

The Games in northern Italy, which start on Friday, will be spread across 8,500 square miles. Long distances, narrow roads, complex connections and snowfall will make it a logistical nightmare.

Italy's government will ban airport strikes during the Milano Cortina Winter Games to prevent travel disruptions during a major international event, Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini said on Friday.

The 2026 Winter Olympics is underway in northern Italy as Milan-Cortina plays host to the century-old sporting event. Norway are historically the most successful nation in the Winter Games and the Norwegians are once again favourites to top the medal table,