Few things bring the world together quite like the Winter Olympics, where athletic dreams are realized against the backdrop of snowy mountains and glistening ice rinks. This year’s Games are taking place in northern Italy,

The U.S. women’s hockey team opened play at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics with a 5-1 win over Czech Republic.

Follow NBC News live updates for the latest on the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, where hockey and snowboarding events will open ahead of the opening ceremony.

U.S. women's hockey's pursuit for gold starts Thursday with a preliminary matchup against Czechia to open the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.