Go with the SNOW!

What to expect as the Winter Games begin in Italy...

- WORDS: SEAN MARLAND, RICHARD MCCLURE. PHOTOS: ALAMY, GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK, BBC

WINTER OLYMPICS

LIVE FROM WEDNESDAY, TIMES VARY, BBC2, TNT SPORTS & DISCOVERY+ SPORT

Skates, skis and snowboards will take centre stage as the 25th edition of the Winter Olympics glides into Italy. For the first time in Olympic history, the Games will officially be split between two host locations. Chic city Milan will be home to indoor events such as figure skating and speed skating, while Alpine resort town Cortina d'Ampezzo, nestled in the Dolomites, will welcome bobsleigh and curling.

Around 3,000 athletes from 93 countries are set to gather at Milan's iconic San Siro football stadium this Friday for the Opening Ceremony, but some competitions will kick off from Wednesday, with the Closing Ceremony, held at the historic Verona Arena, bringing down the curtain on Sunday 22 February.

Beautiful Cortina also inspired the moniker of the tournament's mascot, art-and-music-loving stoat Tina, while her creative younger brother Milo, who was born without a paw and is named after Milan, is the face of the upcoming Winter Paralympics, which will run from Friday 6 to Sunday 15 March.

TNT Sports and Discovery+ will bring viewers all the action from Italy, with Orla Chennaoui and Reshmin Chowdhury on hosting duties and former Olympians including skeleton champion Amy Williams sharing expert insights.

Meanwhile, Clare Balding, Hazel Irvine and Jeanette Kwakye lead the BBC's coverage, which will see two stars from the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing – curling gold medallist Vicky Wright and bobsledder Montell Douglas, AKA Fire from BBC1's Gladiators, among the expert lineup.