Ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Google has launched an interactive Doodle celebrating the sport of Curling. Titled “The Spirit of the Slopes,” the animated artwork showcases the snowy peaks of Northern Italy and highlights athletes preparing for winter sports.
The Doodle includes subtle nods to Italian culture, featuring regional flora and classic winter gear designs inspired by past Italian games. Google has also created a mini-game where users can ski and snowboard through alpine gates to unlock fun facts about Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the main host cities.
About Curling: Known as “chess on ice,” Curling is a team sport where players slide polished granite stones toward a circular target on ice. Players use brushes to influence the stone’s direction and speed, requiring precision and strategy. The sport originated in 16th-century Scotland on frozen lochs and ponds. Curling made its permanent Olympic debut in 1998, though it was retroactively recognized at the 1924 Chamonix Games.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Curling events began on February 4 with the Mixed Doubles preliminary round at Cortina. The games will officially run from February 6 to 22, taking place across multiple Northern Italian venues including Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Valtellina, Val di Fiemme, and Anterselva. Ski Mountaineering (Skimo) will also make its Olympic debut this year, adding to the excitement of the upcoming events.
