Feb 18 • 07:25 UTC 🇰🇷 Korea Hankyoreh (KR)

Heavy snow postpones games... But what if it keeps snowing? [Aha Olympics]

Heavy snowfall has delayed competitions at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, raising concerns about potential cancellations if the weather worsens further.

The title of the article highlights the impact of heavy snowfall on the scheduling of events during the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Specifically, the article mentions that the freestyle skiing events, including the women's big air competition featuring medalist Yoo Seung-eun, were postponed from January 17 to January 18 due to heavy snow. In the face of this inclement weather, adjustments to the scheduling of different competitions are crucial, as many events heavily depend on the weather conditions.

The article outlines the contingency planning that takes place in winter Olympic events, describing how reserve dates (buffer days) are set up to accommodate potential postponements due to poor weather. It explains that if events cannot be rescheduled before the limits of the Olympic schedule—unlike World Cup events, which have strict deadlines—there is an effort to delay as long as possible, citing examples from past Olympics where events have faced significant delays.

Moreover, the piece discusses the implications of worsening weather conditions during events, stating that competitions may be halted, and the decisions made can impact medal outcomes. For instance, a ski jumping competition was halted mid-way due to heavy snow, resulting in annulment of results from part of the event, which highlights the challenges organizers face when adverse weather disrupts schedules. The article concludes with a historical perspective on severe conditions affecting competitions, emphasizing that delayed events can be favourable for some athletes while detrimental for others.

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