Overview
- IIHF president Luc Tardif said the playing surface, practice areas and dressing rooms will be ready even if some parts of the main rink are unfinished.
- Organisers confirmed Milan’s Santagiulia Arena will open this week after a one‑month delay, with capacity set at 11,800 seats.
- The NHL and NHLPA are sending ice experts to evaluate safety, and the league maintains it will withhold players if issues persist; both Olympic rinks are within IIHF standards but are slightly wider and three feet shorter than NHL expectations.
- IOC executive Christophe Dubi reported successful recent test events in speed skating, ice hockey and biathlon, saying preparations are moving into full operational mode.
- FIS chief Johan Eliasch said cold weather boosted snowmaking at Cortina, Livigno, Bormio and Val di Fiemme, noting reserve days are built into schedules, as organisers highlight a dispersed, sustainability‑first plan using mostly existing or temporary venues.