On February 4, 2026, Google launched a specially designed animated Doodle to celebrate the sport of curling and mark the start of preliminary events ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The interactive artwork, visible on the Google homepage worldwide, features a curler delivering a 44-pound granite stone across the ice, with sweepers guiding its path through the iconic “O” letters of the Google logo. This lively animation captures the precision and teamwork that define the game, often described as “chess on ice.”
The Doodle coincides with the ongoing early rounds of curling competitions, which are taking place in Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the two primary host areas for the Games. It serves as an engaging tribute to the strategic sport and builds excitement for the full program of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, scheduled from February 6 to 22.
According to the International Olympic Committee, the 2026 Games will bring together more than 2,900 athletes representing over 90 countries. These competitors will vie for medals across 116 events, showcasing a wide range of winter disciplines. The Games mark a return to Italy, specifically the dual-host arrangement of Milano Cortina. Ice-based events will primarily take place in arenas around Milan in the Lombardy region, while alpine and snow sports will unfold in the mountainous venues of Cortina d’Ampezzo in Veneto. This will be the first time the Winter Olympics use two main host cities, reviving Cortina’s Olympic legacy from the 1956 Winter Games.
Among the highlights of Milano Cortina 2026 is the inclusion of new medal events and a strong emphasis on sustainability across the 12 competition venues. The opening ceremony is set for February 6, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time (CET) at Milan’s historic San Siro Stadium. The event will feature athlete parades, cultural performances reflecting Italian heritage, and a spectacular fireworks display. Global audiences can watch the ceremony live through official broadcasters, including NBC and Peacock in the United States.
ALSO READ : 2026 Winter Olympics Guide: Dates, Sports And Venues
Today’s Google Doodle underscores curling’s unique appeal: athletes slide stones toward a target area known as the “house” from a distance of approximately 150 feet, while teammates use brooms to sweep the ice, subtly altering the stone’s speed and direction. This combination of skill, strategy, and teamwork makes curling one of the most anticipated early events of the Games.
As the world turns its attention to Milano Cortina, Google’s animated tribute reminds viewers of the joy, precision, and global unity that the Olympic Winter Games represent.
