On the first Sunday of the Olympic games, the spotlight is on the women's downhill skiing event, where notable absence is seen with American star Mikaela Shiffrin opting to compete later in technical disciplines. This shift in focus puts pressure on downhill specialists, particularly on Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn. At 41 years old, Vonn is making a comeback to the Olympic stage after recovering from a severe ACL injury, demonstrating immense determination as she prepares for what may be one of the highlights of her career.

In addition to Vonn, attention is drawn to Italy’s Sofia Goggia, the home favorite who carries the weight of national expectation as the host nation. Goggia, a gold medalist from the Pyeongchang Olympics and a silver medalist in Beijing, is under a great deal of pressure as she aims to shine on her home turf. The mix of national pride and the high stakes associated with the games adds to the drama surrounding her performance, especially after her teammates celebrated a podium finish in the men's downhill event the day before.

As the Olympic program continues, biathlon also makes an appearance with a mixed relay event, indicating a diverse array of competition. The introduction of biathlon adds another layer of excitement as athletes gear up to compete not just for medals but for national pride at this iconic global event, collectively representing their countries on the world stage.