Malinin Excels Under Olympic Spotlight as Italy Takes Opening Gold at Milan Cortina

Ilia Malinin finished second in the U.S. team's short program, acknowledging Olympic pressure but expressing pride and optimism for the free skate; the U.S. qualified for the free skate in the team event along with Japan, Italy and Canada. Host Italy captured its first gold of the Games with Francesca Lollobrigida winning the women's 3000m in speed skating; curling updates and a Snoop Dogg moment added lighter notes to the day. By Day 1, multiple nations already held golds in the medal table, including Italy, Japan, Norway and Sweden.