Team Poland has a pierogi plushie that brings cuteness to Winter Olympics originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The athletes from Poland at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina have brought a friend along with them.

Polish athletes who claim gold at the Winter Olympics, which begin on Friday, stand to receive a remarkable rewards package including more than PLN 1 million (EUR 240,000)  in cash, a car and a flat,

Americans who top the podium at the Milan Cortina Games will be in line for a $37,500 bonus. Their competitors could collect as much as $800,000.

Competing for your country in the Olympics is arguably the highest honor an athlete can achieve. While participating in professional sports leagues is important, athletes often speak of representing their countries as an elevated experience compared to their everyday jobs.

With a jump of 106.5 meters and 274.1 points on the day's final attempt, Germany's Philipp Raimund won the gold medal in men's normal hill ski jump.

Day 1 of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina saw competition heat up across several team sports while the first five gold medals of the games were handed out. Canada women's hockey secured a 4-0 win over Switzerland to cap off its long-awaited debut in Milan after its first game was postponed due to a norovirus outbreak among Finland.