The opening day of the Winter Olympics 2026 in Milan-Cortina was marked by both spectacle and controversy. Pop icon Mariah Carey faced allegations of lip-syncing during the grand opening ceremony, while Finnish skier Kuura Koivisto made headlines with his unconventional attire on the slopes. Meanwhile, other athletes like Chinese star Eileen Gu and Swiss gold medallist Franjo von Allmen added their own unique stories to the day’s events.
Mariah Carey Lip-Syncing Allegations
The centerpiece of the opening ceremony was Mariah Carey’s performance, but it quickly became the subject of widespread speculation. Reports emerged suggesting that Carey may have lip-synced her renditions of “Nel blu dipinto di blu” and “Nothing is Impossible” at the San Siro stadium. Olympic officials faced a barrage of questions from the media on Saturday, but Milan Cortina’s director of ceremonies, Maria Laura Iascone, neither confirmed nor denied the claims.
“We were all satisfied with the result we had,” Iascone stated, sidestepping direct confirmation. However, the presence of a large teleprompter displaying a phonetic breakdown of the song inside the stadium did little to quell the rumors.
“This is part of the show. It is a way to support the talents on the stage,” Iascone admitted regarding the teleprompter.
Social media was abuzz with debates over the authenticity of Carey’s performance, making it the talk of the town on day one. If this remains the only controversy the organizers face during the fortnight, they might consider themselves fortunate.
Finnish Skier’s Unorthodox Fashion Choice
In a bold move, Finland’s Kuura Koivisto opted for a tank top instead of traditional ski attire during the men’s freeski slopestyle qualification runs. Despite the sunny weather at Livigno Snow Park, temperatures hovered around a chilly 2 degrees Celsius. Koivisto, however, was unfazed, arguing that the tank top improved his aerodynamics.
“It was just about speed for me,” Koivisto explained. “I was skiing in a big hoodie [during training] and it was making it harder to clear the jumps.”
While his fashion choice caught the attention of spectators, it did not impress the judges. Koivisto’s best score of 63.93 left him in 14th place, just shy of advancing to the finals.
Eileen Gu’s Fashion-Forward Ski Suit
Chinese sports sensation Eileen Gu, known for her interest in fashion, showcased a ski suit she co-designed for the women’s freeski slopestyle qualifiers. The outfit featured elements of her Chinese heritage, including a dragon motif, and incorporated her personal quirks, such as a color-changing thermometer inspired by mood rings.
“I was obsessed with mood rings when I was little,” Gu shared. “So it’s a color-changing thermometer.”
Gu also included a tiny compass in the design, catering to her “nerd brain” and ensuring she could always find north. Despite a crash in her first run, Gu recovered in her second attempt, qualifying for the final in second place with a score of 75.20.
Swiss Star’s Snoring and Success
Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen, who clinched victory in the men’s downhill, revealed an unusual personal detail: his notorious snoring. This trait has earned him the luxury of single rooms during competitions.
“Because I snore so loudly, no-one in the ski circus wants to share a room with me,” von Allmen told the official Olympics website. “So I get to enjoy a single room.”
Von Allmen, a trained carpenter, also has a sausage named after him, the Silberblitz-Wurscht, created by a butcher in his hometown to celebrate his achievements.
Gold Medallist’s Crash Landing
The risks of freestyle skiing were on full display when Sarah Höfflin, the 2018 Olympic gold medallist, crashed during her opening run in the women’s freeski slopestyle qualifiers. Höfflin lost a ski mid-air, leading to a crash landing, though she fortunately walked away unscathed.
Despite a better second run, her score of 54.50 was insufficient to secure a spot in the finals, leaving her in 13th place, just outside the medal rounds.
The first day of the Winter Olympics 2026 has set the stage for a thrilling and unpredictable series of events. As the games continue, athletes and spectators alike will be eager to see what unfolds next.
