NHL to once again send players back to Olympics in 2026, but will arena be ready?
Italian officials want to hold the hockey games at brand new 16,000-seat arena in Milan (which is co-hosting along with Cortina dโAmpezzo), but in whatโs become a theme of other construction efforts for the 2026 Games, the Italians are doing things at the last minute and better hope no delays occur.
Podcast: Roker and Melvin share magical Olympic memories
In todayโs episode of The Podium, Roker banters with his friend and Today partner Craig Melvin as they reflect on magical Olympic Opening Ceremony memories from Atlanta, Beijing and other Games. They also discuss the heightened appeal and excitement delivered by live sports โin an era where so much is on demand.โ
WATCH: Thomas Bach praises togetherness at Opening Ceremony
IOC President Thomas Bach reflected on the pandemic in his speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games, and offered words of hope, saying that the feeling of togetherness at the Olympics "is the light at the end of the dark tunnel."
Olympics return to antiquity at the 2004 Athens Games
FILE - In this Aug. 13, 2004, file photo, the Olympic Rings are shown in flames in a pool of water during the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)When the Olympics returned to Athens in 2004, they also returned to antiquity. They finished in central Athens at the Panathenian Stadium, the marble venue used for the opening and closing ceremonies of the inaugural 1896 Games. Irina Korzhanenko of Russia became the first woman to win a gold medal at the ancient site that birthed the Olympics. The gold medal instead went to Argentina, a team led by Manu Ginobili.